Women With PCOS…What’s the Connection to Diabetes?

Over the past couple of years, many healthcare professionals have been suspecting a connection between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and type 2 diabetes. Many experts now consider both the conditions to be correlated.
PCOS is a female endocrine disorder that increases the androgen levels within the systems. The disruption can lead to an irregular menstrual cycle, acne, obesity and excessive hair growth. Moreover, it also affects a woman’s fertility. The condition can be detected through an ovarian ultrasound.
The primary cause of PCOS is still unknown. However, insulin resistance, genetics and inflammation may be responsible for the condition. In the United States, almost 5 to 10 percent of women are suffering from PCOS.
The Connection between PCOS and Diabetes:
According to a few studies, insulin resistance can result in an adverse reaction in the immune system that triggers type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is a medical condition where the body cells either become insulin resistant or an insufficient amount of insulin is produced in the body. By maintaining a proper diet and exercising regularly, it is possible to manage type 2 diabetes. However, research indicates that PCOS can trigger diabetes. Additionally, women suffering from PCOS are at a higher risk of developing diabetes and heart problems.
Does Treating One Benefit The Other?
To fight obesity and type 2 diabetes, it is important to exercise regularly to keep the body healthy as weight loss helps in combating PCOS. Moreover, exercise helps in burning excess fat and increases the sensitivity of cells to insulin. Therefore, body cells start to absorb insulin which helps patients suffering from diabetes and PCOS.
Consuming a balanced and hormone free diet helps in reducing diabetes and also manages weight loss.
It needs to be noted that certain treatments for both the diseases may not complement one another. For instance, women with PCOS are given birth control pills to clear acne and regularize menstruation. However, some birth control pills can increase blood sugar levels which can cause problems for patients with diabetes.
Hence, your medical professional can customize a treatment that complements both diseases for better and targeted results.