my new gynos pcos theory...

katiekeen · 08-30-2006, 05:12 AM

I don't know if this is the right place to post this, but I saw a new gyno who specialises in pcos on Saturday, and he had an interesting theory as to why the 'syndrome' ever evolved. He was referring to the stoneage time, and I wish I could've recorded him because I don't think I'll be able to express it as succintly, but here goes:

In times of famine, when most 'normal' women lose large amounts of body fat, it induces anovulation and therefore infertility. Whereas, in women with pcos, the tendency is for loss of body fat to trigger ovulation and therefore fertility. Therefore, the syndrome (which this dr considered must be genetic to some degree) developed in order that the tribe could continue to reproduce. So while times were hard, pcos women stepped up and took over the continuation of the tribe.

Does this make sense? I found it interesting that there may be some genetic 'reason' for pcos.

coree · 08-30-2006, 07:43 AM

Well it is certainly food for thought. One of those things we may never know for sure I guess. Although, the greatest discoveries must come from someones theory hey!

Eva37 · 08-30-2006, 02:37 PM

hmm., interesting.............

eva

ajhyer · 08-30-2006, 04:17 PM

interesting..........

melloyello · 08-30-2006, 04:18 PM

I've heard that before; i cant remember where though

jennynd · 08-30-2006, 04:29 PM

Interesting. I wonder though, a time of famine wouldn't exactly be a great time for reproducing. Those pregnant women & new babies would need more to eat! So, I would think the body would sense that and not want to reproduce. Interesting, though!

share3232 · 08-30-2006, 06:00 PM

My OB/GYN that diagnosised me also gave me some theory about being genetic. Didn't say anything about stoneage times tho. In my opinion I do believe that it is genetic. My family (both mom and dad's sides) have lots of diabetics and "infertile" relatives. I think it, at least for me, is definitely a family affair.

guineapig · 08-30-2006, 08:06 PM

Interesting. I still think synthetic hormones can bring this on, too, I mean we know progestins worsen IR, the root of PCOS. Perhaps PCOS has more than one cause, just like heart disease is certainly hereditary but enough burgers/fries/smoking could induce heart problems in anyone. Likewise estrogen-only HRT increases the risk of breast cancer in the general population but there's a gene for breast cancer too. And so on.

(Also I lost weight & never O correctly, still had to be on IR treatment for that)

melloyello · 08-30-2006, 11:25 PM

I was thinking about this more... and im thin (always have been) and dont ovulate properly... so im not really sure about that theory; i mean maybe its partly right; or has the right idea ... but what about all the thin cysters like me? Im IR, but thin, dont ovulate properly, had infertility and all of that.

I do believe its genetic though because my mum and older sister have it and there were others with fertility problems further back in the family; as well as ovarian and cervical cancer and diabetes common in the family

svaldez · 08-30-2006, 11:40 PM

survival of the fittest

katiekeen · 08-31-2006, 01:35 AM

With regards to not wanting to reproduce during famine - that was the point - only a small percentage of the female population had pcos, therefore reproduction continued but on a much smaller scale.

I was also confused re the 'thin cyster' thing, because I was extremely thin for many years and still diagnosed with pcos. I am not over my bmi now, but have gone up and down over the years. I asked the doctor about this - he just said that when I was thin, if I had the classic pcos symptoms that I had (irregular periods, acne, hirsutism) then all it meant was, the more weight I put on, the worse these symptoms would become. Which has proven to be true over the years.

That's why I wish I could've recorded him - it all made sense at the time, but trying to explain it now it's a little hazy. He is speaking at a conference about pcos this month.

I'm really happy with him cos he's prescribed met & clomid for me, whereas all the doctors I've been to where I live have told me met is 'only for overweight women'.

melloyello · 08-31-2006, 06:31 PM

Quote:

With regards to not wanting to reproduce during famine - that was the point - only a small percentage of the female population had pcos, therefore reproduction continued but on a much smaller scale.

Wait im confused cos PCOS causes INfertility... but it sounds like he was saying its the PCOs women that were fertile... ???
I think im not getting something

Ammaarah · 08-31-2006, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by melloyello

Wait im confused cos PCOS causes INfertility... but it sounds like he was saying its the PCOs women that were fertile... ???
I think im not getting something

Women with greater fat stores would be more fertile in lean times even if they were cysters. Many fat cysters have dropped 20 pounds and gotten pregnant immediately. I lost 35 pounds and I now ovulate fairly regularly.

melloyello · 08-31-2006, 08:26 PM

Ohhh thanks for explaining Ammaarah!
Now i get it.

haeneleh · 08-31-2006, 11:33 PM

I finally got to see my Dr. on Monday and he told me that there are a number of studies about the genetics of PCOS. His stats were that if there were 3 sisters with the genetic relationship, it would show up in 2 of them. It can pass from either mother or father and he is conducting research now about prior generations based upon one's history.