Can PCOS lead to Cancer?

Polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)


PCOS And Cancer

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common problem in women of reproductive age, which can start at a young age and continue up to menopause. It is a condition that is not often diagnosed until it causes serious diseases. About 5-7% of women in their reproductive age can suffer from PCOS. So, you should learn about this syndrome and take steps so that the condition doesn’t get worse.

What is PCOS?

It causes the development of small cysts in the reproductive system. These are little sacs filled with fluids that form on the ovaries. Women with PCOS also have high levels of estrogen and low levels of progesterone.


PCOS occurs mostly in women with polycystic ovaries or hyperandrogenism. It is also associated with high levels of androgens and insulin in the body. Androgens are male hormones, and insulin is needed to provide energy. 

PCOS is mostly diagnosed when a woman has trouble getting pregnant. Once it is diagnosed, proper treatment should be taken so that it doesn’t result in any serious condition.

PCOS can cause left flank pain that comes and goes, abdominal pain, and vomiting.

Symptoms of PCOS

The symptoms of PCOS are not very serious and that’s why it often goes undiagnosed. 

If you are at the reproductive stage, you should be aware of the following symptoms.
• Irregular periods
• Sudden weight gain
• Either excessive hair growth or thinning hair
Acne
• Skin discoloration

Once you notice one or more of these symptoms, you should conduct a diagnosis for PCOS. If it is detected earlier, a lot of harmful diseases can be prevented, and you will be able to lead a healthy life.

PCOS




6 Health Concerns Of PCOS

PCOS has been linked to a number of diseases that can affect a person’s lifestyle severely. You should be aware of these diseases and take measures beforehand.

1. Reproductive Problems

PCOS can lead to infertility and dysfunctional bleeding. It is one of the leading causes of spontaneous abortion. This may be due to the increased LH level or abnormal endometrium. High production of estrogen may cause endometrial hyperplasia.

If there is excessive bleeding, it can lead to anemia. If the person is obese, then more complications occur. There will be premature labor, gestational diabetes, or an increased chance of stillborn. The chances of a C-section increase rather than normal delivery. The infants also come out larger than expected.

2. Psychological problems

PCOS can cause depression and other psychological abnormalities. Stress level also increases in such a stage. All these lower the quality of life. Having PCOS can be very distressing. It can also impact a person’s psychosocial development.



3. Obesity

More than 44% of women who have PCOS are obese. Weight gain can cause various diseases like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or even heart disease. PCOS in these people increases insulin resistance, more production of adrenal and ovarian androgens and testosterone. If you want to overcome this condition you should lose weight.


4. Diabetes

According to a study, about 16% of those having PCOS suffer from type 2 diabetes mellitus. These women have insulin resistance and impaired glucose tolerance. So, if you are at your reproductive age you should be screened for diabetes.


5. Heart diseases

Patients with PCOS have abnormal lipid and lipoprotein profiles. They also have high cholesterol levels and a chance of having cardiovascular diseases. There is also an increased risk of having a myocardial infarction.

You can lower the risk of all these diseases by treating PCOS. You should notice the signs and take precautionary measures early for a healthy life.
PCOS
Can PCOS cause Cancer?


6. Can PCOS cause cancer?

PCOS has been linked with cancer. But is it true? The research findings are somewhat confusing. Some research works have proved that there is a high risk of endometrial cancer. This is because irregular periods or lack of periods cause the endometrial, or the inner lining of the uterus, to thicken and it increases the risk of endometrial cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, untreated cancer can result in endometrial cancer. It also occurs due to high levels of progesterone and estrogen. People with hypertension, obesity, or diabetes have a higher chance of having it. However, the chance of endometrial cancer is very low, about 1.3% only.

Some studies have also found that there is a relationship between PCOS and breast cancer. It can be due to the high levels of insulin and androgens. However, some research has found no relationship between the two. 

Research has shown that women with PCOS have a high risk of ovarian cancer; while some studies have proved that the risk of ovarian cancer actually becomes lower due to PCOS.

Studies have also shown that women who don’t take oral contraceptives are at high risk of having ovarian cancer. Women with irregular periods are at the risk of having ovarian cancer. This type of cancer is very rare. All these studies are very limited and had been carried out in a small population. So, more investigation must be carried out on a large population in order to come to a conclusion.

ovary
Minimize the risk of PCOS by getting treated early.

You should try to minimize the risk of PCOS by getting treated early. If left untreated, it can cause serious diseases. You should manage your hormone production. It is also important to maintain a healthy body weight. Make sure there is no unwanted fat in your diet. 

It is necessary to do a regular pelvic exam to identify any endometrial cancer. If you have pelvic pain then you should check whether there is any form of an ovarian cyst.


PCOS Treatment

You will require certain lifestyle changes to deal with PCOS. You should try to lose weight by having a balanced diet and doing regular exercise. You can take pre-workout C4 supplements before a workout so that you can exercise for longer hours and achieve your weight goals.

The doctor may suggest medications such as combination birth control pills, diabetes medication, intake of roughage diet like salad, etc. in order to regulate your hormone levels. You should consult a doctor early so that you have less risk of serious diseases like heart problems or cancer.

Though no research work has come to a concrete conclusion regarding the link between PCOS and cancer, preventive therapies can reduce the risk of cancer or other diseases due to PCOS. 

Preventive therapies include

It is important to do a regular screening for abnormal lipid profile, hypertension, reproductive disorders, or insulin resistance in order to lower the chances of cancer or other diseases. Best Beverage for PCOS:


Red Wine:

Red wine has antioxidants that help to fight oxidative stress. It also has anti-inflammatory properties which can benefit those suffering from PCOS. Resveratrol, an antioxidant found in the skin of grapes, berries, wine strawberries, and peanuts has shown tremendous results in helping restore hormone balance and fertility in women with PCOS.


Author: Harold is a passionate writer. She enjoys writing about the latest trends all around the globe. Through her writing, she hopes to influence as many people as possible to help build a beautiful world. 




Subscribe to Inveigle Magazine Article Updates by Email

Follow us on Twitter & on FB. 


Inveigle magazine


Inveigle Magazine

Inveigle Magazine is a lifestyle, fashion, and beauty magazine. We love sharing informative articles with our readers. Follow us and stay up to date with the latest articles. facebook twitter pinterest

Previous Post Next Post

Advertisement