Myths About PCOS

Heard that you cannot get pregnant because of PCOS or how losing weight won’t help? There are many myths about PCOS in the global healthcare community and today, and we’ll dispel the top 7 ones.

7 Myths About PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a clinical condition where women experience excessive production of male hormones in the body. The definition of PCOS says that women who tend to suffer from this condition get irregular periods, hair loss, facial acne, and have enlarged ovaries. Numerous myths are floating about PCOS and having no ovaries doesn’t mean you can’t get Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Here are the top 7 myths about PCOS and the actual truth related to them.

Myth 1: Losing Weight Cures PCOS

Although losing weight can indeed improve the hormonal profile in women, it doesn’t completely cure PCOS. Losing weight is an effective way to manage PCOS symptoms in females. Evidence shows that those with a family history of PCOS are more likely to suffer from this condition in their future years as they could be genetically predisposed to it.

Myth 2: It’s Your Fault

PCOS is not your fault. The causes of PCOS are unknown, and the medical community states that most PCOS cases are rare genetic disorders. All women produce androgens, but those who have PCOS produce it in excessive amounts. This can make it difficult for women to have regular menstrual cycles, and the exact causes behind it are not clear still. Some experts think that too much insulin causes PCOS, and this link has been demonstrated in women who have Type 2 diabetes or those prone to rapid weight gain

Myth 3: PCOS is Rare

PCOS is not rare, and more than 45% of women in their 20s suffer from it. There is research that shows that more than 5 million women in the United States live with PCOS. Many have PCOS but aren’t aware of it until they get a clinical diagnosis.

Myth 4: PCOS Causes Infertility

Women who have PCOS can get pregnant. There are many fertility treatments available for women who are diagnosed with PCOS but are of reproductive age. Talk to your doctor or endocrinologist about the different treatment options since having PCOS doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant.

Myth 5: PCOS is a Metabolic Complication

Insulin resistance is one of the primary contributors to PCOS. Although women who have metabolic problems indeed suffer from weight gain, it’s not completely clear that PCOS is the reason behind them.

Those who have a higher body mass index (BMI) are more likely to suffer from PCOS. However, losing just a bit of weight can help in managing its symptoms.

Myth 6: PCOS Causes Depression

Some women have reported feeling anxious or depressed when they have PCOS. However, women may get wrongly misdiagnosed or labeled with PCOS, which may indirectly increase their anxiety or symptoms of depression. Another prevailing myth is that PCOS causes heart diseases, but there’s not enough data or research to back this up

Myth 7: PCOS Can Be Cured

PCOS is a lifelong condition, but its symptoms can be managed. Long-term treatment is needed to prevent PCOS from progressing into advanced stages of endometrial cancer but dietary, and lifestyle changes make the biggest difference.

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