Treating these signs of insulin resistance PCOS will save your health, time, and money
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a very common and widely recognized hormonal disorder found in 1 out of 10 women of reproductive age. PCOS symptoms are observed in the form of metabolic as well as reproductive disorders.
This substantially increases the risk for type 2 diabetes. These women have marked insulin resistance, independent of obesity and later heart problems.
So, let’s look at the signs of insulin resistance, PCOS, and prediabetes symptoms.
How to know if you have PCOS?
4%–20% of the women population suffer from PCOS and all of them have different PCOS features.
While the single actual cause of PCOS still remains unknown, there exists no definitive tool to diagnose PCOS. However, based on research the NIHS experts have decided on certain criteria, 3 main features, that are used for PCOS diagnosis.
Main features of PCOS:
- Elevated androgen levels/hyperandrogenism ( excessive male hormones)
- Menstrual irregularities due to anovulation (ovaries fail to release the egg on time)
- Small cysts in one or both ovaries
The presence of any two out of the three features confirm PCOS, say, experts.
Blood tests and ultrasound are two ways used to recognize these features.
Are all PCOS patients insulin resistance victims?
Women with PCOS have an increased risk of obesity and metabolic disorder which are closely related to insulin resistance. It should be noted that lean women with PCOS do not have insulin resistance. Many studies have shown that both lean and obese women with PCOS have insulin resistance.
A majority of women and adolescent girls with PCOS have insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. But, Andrea Dunaif, MD, says that insulin resistance is a common but not universal feature of PCOS.
So, if you have PCOS you may not have insulin resistance but its dangers are always lurking. That is why natural PCOS treatments should also be directed towards sugar level management with diet and lifestyle modifications.
Insulin resistance PCOS signs and Symptoms
The symptoms of PCOS may include:
- Abdominal weight gain
- Sugar cravings
- Fatigue
- Hypertension
- Frequent thirst and urination
- Slow healing of wounds
- Missed periods, irregular periods, or very light periods
- Ovaries that are large or have many cysts
- Acne or oily skin
- Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
- Dark patches on skin appeared recently
How does insulin affect ovaries?
Abnormally high levels of insulin react with insulin receptors on the ovary which leads to the overproduction of androgens. This worsens the PCOS symptoms even more.
Hyperinsulinemia and hyperandrogenism make a significant contribution to the premature arrest of follicle growth, which is commonly found in women that have problems with ovulation in PCOS. This may lead to the development of ovarian cysts.
This shows up in the symptomatic form of-
- Alopecia (scalp-hair loss)
- Hirsutism (excessive body hair)
- Subfertility
- Menstrual irregularities
That is how insulin resistance and fertility are related to each other.
As per Ayurveda, there is a disturbance in the tridosha (the 3 body energies) that exacerbates the PCOS condition. The Kapha dosha, responsible for reproductive tissues such as eggs, is aggravated in insulin resistance PCOS.
So due to insulin resistance, egg quality is badly affected which creates problems for successful conception.
8 ways to deal with insulin-resistant PCOS
To treat insulin-resistant PCOS, the treatment is focused on the symptoms and signs of insulin resistance: PCOS. Metformin is a widely used medicine to treat IR. But it has been observed that regular usage of metformin and other allopathy medicines lead to many side effects.
You can naturally reverse the condition with these simple yet effective steps:
- Do regular yoga practice to reduce obesity and improve insulin sensitivity. It is one of the best ways to manage the signs of insulin resistance PCOS.
- Shift to a low glycemic index diet.
- Cut down the carb.
- Low sugar intake.
- Drink enough water.
- Sleep well and reduce stress. Metabolic and hormonal disorders increase when your body is stressed and tired.
- Do not ignore the early signs.
- Ayurvedic remedies help in balancing hormones and treating infertility, confirm studies.
Key Takeaways
PCOS and IR are very closely associated, so, if you have so if you notice any early signs of insulin resistance: PCOS, do not take them lightly. When left untreated it can lead to various health complications.
You can try natural measures recommended by Ayurveda and yoga to cope with it, but an expert’s supervision is advised.
FAQs
Common signs of insulin resistance:PCOS are:
- Fatigue
- Dizziness
- Frequent thirst & urinations
- Delayed wound healing
- Memory problems
- Weight gain
- Increased hunger
- Sleepiness after meals
Not for all cases. There is a direct correlation between insulin resistance, PCOS, and obesity but data shows that IR is not universally for some cases of PCOS. However, there is always a risk of IR in PCOS.
Definitely, yes! Sugar reduction helps in weight management, insulin sensitivity improvement, and kapha dosha balancing. All of these make cutting sugar very beneficial for PCOS.
Complications of IR PCOS can be significantly reduced with a healthy lifestyle and diet interventions. If done seriously and under guided supervision, you may be able to cure signs of insulin resistance: PCOS and even reverse it, otherwise, you’ll be able to lead a much simpler and side-effects-free life with less severe symptoms.
