Introduction
Causes Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Treatment (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders among women of reproductive age. It affects nearly 1 in 10 women globally and is a leading cause of infertility, irregular periods, acne, excessive hair growth, and weight gain. Despite being common, PCOS remains widely misunderstood—especially when it comes to its causes.
Contrary to popular belief, PCOS is not caused by a single factor. It is a multifactorial condition, meaning several internal and external factors contribute to its development. Understanding these causes helps in accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment.
Following are the causes of PCOS Treatment
Insulin Resistance – A Major Root Cause
Insulin resistance is one of the most common underlying factors in PCOS. It means the body’s cells don’t respond properly to insulin, the hormone that helps control blood sugar. As a result, the pancreas produces more insulin to compensate.
This excess insulin stimulates the ovaries to produce more androgens (male hormones like testosterone). High androgen levels interfere with ovulation and cause symptoms like irregular periods, acne, and facial hair.
Even women who are not overweight can experience insulin resistance, but it is especially common in those who are overweight or obese. This also explains why lifestyle changes such as exercise and a low-carb diet can significantly improve PCOS symptoms.
Hormonal Imbalances :-
PCOS is essentially a hormonal disorder, and a key characteristic is an imbalance between several reproductive hormones:
- High androgens (male hormones) :- Women with PCOS often have elevated levels of testosterone and DHEA-S. These excess male hormones disrupt normal ovulation and cause symptoms like hirsutism (excess hair), acne, and scalp hair thinning.
- Luteinizing hormone (LH) and Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) :- In a healthy cycle, FSH helps eggs mature, while LH triggers ovulation. In PCOS, LH is often disproportionately high compared to FSH, which may prevent ovulation and contribute to the development of cysts.
- Low progesterone :- Without regular ovulation, progesterone is not adequately produced, leading to irregular or missed periods.
This hormonal chaos contributes significantly to the entire PCOS picture.
Genetic Factors – Family History Matters :-
There is strong evidence suggesting that PCOS runs in families. Women with a first-degree relative (mother, sister, or aunt) who has PCOS are more likely to develop the condition.
Though no single “PCOS gene” has been identified, multiple genes involved in insulin regulation, androgen production, and inflammation have been implicated.
This doesn’t mean a woman is destined to have PCOS if her mother had it. However, it does increase the risk—especially when combined with poor lifestyle habits.
Genetics sets the stage, but environment and lifestyle often decide whether or not the condition fully develops.
Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation :-
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury or infection, but when it becomes chronic, it can contribute to many diseases—including PCOS.
Women with PCOS often have higher levels of inflammatory markers like CRP (C-reactive protein), even when no obvious infection is present. This low-grade inflammation affects the ovaries and can increase androgen production, again disrupting ovulation.
Inflammation may be triggered by:
- Poor gut health
- Processed food
- Environmental toxins
- Excess body fat
- Stress
This type of PCOS is sometimes called “Inflammatory PCOS” and needs a specialized approach including anti-inflammatory diet, supplements, and gut health focus.
Lifestyle and Dietary Factors :-
Poor lifestyle choices don’t directly cause PCOS, but they can trigger or worsen it in someone who is genetically susceptible.
Key contributors include:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- High sugar and refined carb intake
- Irregular sleep cycles
- Excessive caffeine or alcohol consumption
- Chronic stress
All these factors contribute to insulin resistance, weight gain, hormonal imbalance, and inflammation—forming a vicious cycle.
Lifestyle modification is often the first line of treatment, and for many women, simple changes like regular exercise and a whole-food diet can drastically improve symptoms.
Post-Pill Hormonal Rebound :-
Some women develop symptoms after stopping birth control pills. These pills suppress natural hormone production. Once discontinued, the body might go through a hormonal rebound, especially if it had a tendency toward imbalanced hormones in the first place.
This condition is referred to as Post-Pill PCOS and is usually temporary. It may resolve within months, but in some cases, it unearths underlying PCOS that was masked by contraceptives.
Adrenal Gland Dysfunction :-
The adrenal glands (located above the kidneys) produce stress hormones like cortisol and also androgens like DHEA-S. In some women, adrenal overactivity leads to excess production of androgens—even when insulin is normal.
This is commonly known as Adrenal. It is often stress-induced and can affect even lean women. Emotional stress, lack of sleep, or overtraining may cause adrenal dysfunction and worsen symptoms.
Unlike other types, this variant is not linked with insulin or obesity, so it may go undiagnosed unless advanced hormonal testing is done.
Thyroid Dysfunction
Thyroid disorders, particularly hypothyroidism, are commonly seen in women with PCOS. The symptoms of both conditions—irregular periods, weight gain, fatigue, and infertility—can overlap.
An underactive thyroid can:
- Lower metabolism
- Impair ovulation
- Contribute to insulin resistance
Therefore, thyroid screening is essential during diagnosis. In some cases, treating the thyroid issue can improve or even resolve symptoms.
Environmental Toxins and Endocrine Disruptors :-
In modern times, exposure to chemicals that mimic hormones (known as endocrine disruptors) is increasing. These include:
- BPA (from plastic containers)
- Pesticides
- Parabens and phthalates (from cosmetics)
These chemicals can disrupt natural hormone balance and are suspected to contribute to hormonal disorders like PCOS. While more research is needed, minimizing exposure is advised such as using glass containers, eating organic, and avoiding synthetic fragrances.
Obesity – A Complicating Factor, Not a Cause :-
While many women with PCOS are overweight or obese, obesity is not the root cause. Rather, it worsens insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances, making the symptoms more severe.
Conversely, it can also lead to weight gain due to hormonal disruption, creating a feedback loop.
The good news is that even a 5-10% weight reduction can significantly improve symptoms, regulate periods, and restore ovulation.
Conclusion
As we’ve seen, it is not caused by a single factor. It is a syndrome a group of symptoms arising from multiple, overlapping causes. Some women may have insulin resistance as the main driver, while others may be more affected by inflammation, adrenal dysfunction, or genetic predisposition.
