Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome is the leading cause of infertility.
- It is also associated with an increased risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes.
According to’National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm), one in ten women would be affected by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), making it the most common hormonal disease in women of childbearing age. This can lead to fertility problems – this is the first cause – and metabolic complications such as type 2 diabetes. According to a study published in the journal Diabetes Carewomen who are affected are twice as likely to become diabetic.
Ovulation disorders, hyperpilosity, type 2 diabetes…
PCOS is due to a hormonal imbalance of ovarian origin or in the brain. This imbalance leads to excessive production of a type of hormone called androgens – which includes testosterone in particular – which are usually produced in small amounts in women. But in these patients, the amounts are high. They have, for example, a high level of testosterone in the blood.
Regarding the symptoms of PCOS, they are very different from one woman to another. Some have ovulation disorders, which result in irregular, longer or non-existent cycles. In others, the overproduction of testosterone leads to hyperpilosity, acne or even hair loss. Finally, the last symptom that can affect these patients: the metabolic syndrome, that is to say that they develop resistance to insulin, the hormone that regulates the concentration of sugar in the blood. If they have this symptom, they therefore have a very high risk of suffering from type 2 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes: the most common in the world
Type 2 diabetes can be defined as a long-lasting excess of sugar in the blood, hyperglycemia. The pancreas secretes insulin (supposed to regulate blood sugar levels) but its effect is less effective. The patient therefore has insulin resistance and his blood sugar level no longer drops naturally. It is the most common diabetes in the world. It is favored by the evolution of lifestyles and urbanization, sometimes associated with bad habits which are also risk factors for this disease: poor diet, physical inactivity, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, etc. This pathology is generally discovered in adulthood and can lead to serious consequences such as cardiovascular problems.
The birth control pill could reduce the risk of having diabetes
For the moment, scientists are unable to explain the link between PCOS and type 2 diabetes. Among their hypotheses: the overweight of certain patients which can promote diabetes. However, they observed that those who did not have weight problems were also affected…
During their work, the researchers also made a notable discovery: patients taking the estrogen-progestogen contraceptive pill, that is to say with two types of female sex hormones (estrogen and progesterone), were statistically less likely to suffer from diabetes. The scientists therefore wish to continue their study in order to determine whether, in the long term, the contraceptive pill could be a treatment for these patients.
Currently, there is no treatment to cure PCOS. The only support offered is symptomatic – until menopause – to improve the quality of life of patients who are affected.
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