PCOS develops when the ovaries overproduce androgens (eg, testosterone). Androgen overproduction often results from overproduction of LH (luteinizing hormone), which is produced by the pituitary gland.
Research also suggests that when insulin levels in the blood are high enough, the ovary can be stimulated to produce more testosterone. That is, the combination of having ovaries which are responsive to insulin and high insulin levels in the blood, can result in the overproduction of testosterone.
Obesity, which itself can cause insulin levels to rise, may intensify PCOS. Yet, not all women who are overweight develop PCOS. Thus, there appears to be something unique about PCOS both in the excessively high insulin production and the increased sensitivity of the ovaries to the insulin that is produced.
__________________ Constance
ME 30 DH 36
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Just wanted to ditto what Constance had to say and also Welcome you to SC!
Take some time to read (if you haven't already) the 'stickies' which are located at the top of the Newbie Forum - you will find a lot of useful information there.
GL - we look forward to getting to know you... so keep posting!
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August 6, 2005 thru May 2006 :: 90 lbs lost
*~* 15 wks/15 lbs ... 0 lbs down, 15 to go! *~* 04/22/09 - At it again!
... It's not the Will-Power ... It's the Willingness ...
Thank you for your responses. I have been doing some reading and apparently not understanding. I got this thinking from this.
Quote:
What you’re about to read will give you a greater understanding of PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) and how to reverse its underlying condition, Insulin Resistance.
and this:
Quote:
INSULIN RESISTANCE IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF PCOS
Are you one of the millions of women with PCOS who have failed to reverse the symptoms of this condition no matter what you’ve tried? It may not be due to lack of willpower. Instead, you could be Insulin Resistant, the root cause of PCOS.
I thought I had read it somewhere else also. I am just asking because I believe I have PCOS, and am currently having tests done. We got my glucose levels back which are 91. My lipids are 154. Triglyserides are 74. HDL is 54 and LDL is 85. So far so good. But my Dr. called and said the lab didn't take the Insulin levels, so I have to go back tomorrow for that test.
I love my Dr. but she also doesn't feel I have it because I am too thin, although I have gained 15 lbs and am having a very hard time losing it. I have lost 7 in two months and that is with exercising and cutting my calorie intake in half. Also trying to watch the carbs, got the IR diet book. She also doesn't believe I have it because I don't have a beard.
I have been reading this board for a little bit now. Glad to know you can have it and not have IR. I guess that is one bright spot in this crappy thing we have to go through.
Thank you.
OH, one more thing. I keep reading that losing weight can lessen the symptoms. But what are you to do if you really don't need to lose any weight?
The second quote is just plain wrong. Apparently that site does not have up to date info. I don't believe it is the weight loss that helps with PCOS. It is the change in diet that helps with PCOS. Reducing carbs really helps a lot. Being overweight is a symptom of PCOS, IR is a symptom of PCOS, etc. You may not have all symptoms of PCOS. I don't know if you have it or not, but you must have some reason for thinking you do. I honestly hope your wrong because joining this club sucks. But if you do, this is the best place to start looking for answers and support. I'm glad you found us.
Thank you. I guess I can tell you why I think I have it. And btw, I found this PCOS thing because I was looking for a good wax to wax my legs. Go figure. Sometimes I wish I never found it.
When I was a kid, I had irregular periods. They put me on BCP's when I was 16. Never had a irregular cycle after that. I was on the pill for 9 years, but since then everything is ok.
Acne, still have it, I am in my 30's.
Hair falling out. Although it is not as bad as it seems with some of you, I may have a mild case. Although after having my third kid, it fell out BAD. But they said that is normal for your hormones to back to the way they were pre-pregnancy. And of course while I was pregnant, no acne, no hair falling out.
I was told once by my OB that I had a cyst, but she said it is very common to have them when you are ovulating, and they go away when you are done. So it was dropped.
No problem whatsoever with conceiving.
I am extremely tired all the time. I could sleep 15 hrs a day, no problem.
Depressed. Always thought it was because of my crappy childhood.
I have a bit of excessive hair. But I have seen pics, and am nothing like that. I have two on my chin, and a few on my belly. But my legs are pretty bad, to me anyway.
And then just recently, gaining weight. Now I have always been 118 lbs. When I had my first child at 25 I was 124. After the first and second, I weighed 127. Now I got up to 137. I know that sounds great to some of you, but this has been the biggest I have ever been. And I just can't seem to lose it. Is it all in my belly? Yeah, I have a belly now, but a lot of it is in my bum also. People laugh at me, and say you had three kids and are getting older!! What do you expect?
I guess that's it. I think since it is so mild, no one thinks I could have it. And sometimes I pray that I am being crazy about this, but I have a feeling I am not.
You may be right. I know that the excess hair has only been a problem for me during the past 5 or six years. I have always had soft blonde hairs on my legs and arms. Suddenly I start growing stray hairs on my belly that turn into a light happy trail. Then I began growing hairs on my chin. It started out as a stray here and there and then in keeps becoming more. They got pretty dark and coarse before I began doing the low carb diet, but they have turned mostly blonde again but are not soft. I still have to shave them. I graduated high school in a size 6. Now it's 10 years later and I wear a 20 - 22 now. I lose a lot of hair. I used to have a lot of hair, but not so much now. You can't tell looking at me. I haven't got bald patches or anything, but I know. I get skin tags and dark patches. I had been insulin resistant since at least age 15 and finally became a full fledge type II diabetic a few years ago. I never had regular periods, even on birth control pills which I began using only months after getting my first period. I had excessive bleeding that one day disappeared and I had no bleeding at all. I just quit getting my period all together. I had a lot of trouble having a baby. I've always been tired all the time. You could have PCOS.
You might go to the threads and talk with some thin cysters, too.
A bit confused 
