How Does Insulin Resistance Cause Or Contribute To PCOS?
Insulin resistance has a two-fold effect in PCOS. On the one hand, insulin resistance increases testosterone secretion from the ovaries. On the other hand, it reduces the production of Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG), which neutralises excessive testosterone in our blood.
Excessive, free testosterone in the blood can further increase insulin resistance, creating a vicious cycle.
Let’s take a quick peek at testosterone.
Testosterone is thought of as a ‘male’ hormone, however, women need it too. The ‘female’ hormone oestrogen is made from testosterone, and it is also essential in sexual desire. It is made mainly in the ovaries. When there is too much insulin in the blood, it signals the ovaries to increase testosterone production.
Due to its dual effect, insulin resistance can both cause and amplify the signs and symptoms of PCOS. A major culprit behind central obesity in women with PCOS, in particular, is insulin resistance, which can also prevent the ovaries from producing ova or eggs, leading to anovulation and infertility. This is one of the reasons why weight loss, when needed, boosts fertility.
Finally, there is a theory that insulin directly causes excessive adrenal androgen production and favours the hypo-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG-axis) disorder in PCOS, thereby directly responsible for aggravating PCOS. In layman’s terms, this means that insulin resistance can change the brain, potentially altering how the brain and reproductive system communicate.
Hormones, such as insulin, are involved in a complicated feedback system with other hormones and their glands. Overproduction of one can suppress the production of another, eventually throwing the entire body out of whack and complicating pre-existing conditions, especially hormone-linked syndromes such as PCOS.
Telltale Signs of Insulin Resistance
- Central obesity (excessive tummy fat)
- Overweight and obesity
- Trouble losing weight
- Skin tags
- Abnormal skin pigmentation called acanthosis nigricans
- Acne
- Excessive hair on face and body (and/or loss of hair from the scalp)
- Irregular or absent periods
- Increased triglycerides and/or high blood pressure
- Intestinal bloating
- Sugar cravings
- Fatigue and/or brain fogginess; depression and/or mood swings
- Energy slumps, helped by food
- Diabetes
Do You Have Insulin Resistance?
If you have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, there’s a good chance you also have insulin resistance. As you are reading this report, I will assume that you are either overweight or obese and/or would like to successfully lose weight. If this is the case, you have a very high risk of insulin resistance.
How do you find out?
Women often have either only a fasting blood glucose (blood sugar) test or a ‘pin prick’ test and are told they are ‘normal’. But these tests are far from ideal to uncover insulin resistance.
When you think about it, sugar (glucose) is sticky. If too much sugar remains in the bloodstream, it can be dangerous. It can stick to stuff! This means the body will do everything it can to keep blood sugar levels within their ideal range. How does it do this? By pumping out insulin, to ‘guide’ the excessive sugar into the cells.
What if your insulin isn’t as effective as it should be at this critical job?
You pump out even more insulin. At this point, your blood sugar levels may still be ‘within normal limits’ according to the two tests I previously mentioned; however, your insulin levels are higher, as your body is working harder to keep blood sugar levels stable.
To accurately determine whether you have insulin resistance, you need a 2-hour (some professionals use a 3-hour) blood glucose test with insulin levels. Your blood is tested (for both blood sugar and insulin) before you eat or drink (fasting), then at 30, 60, and 120 minutes after you drink a sugary drink. This sugary drink challenges the body to see how effectively it processes sugar and what your insulin does in response.
This is how you tell if you have insulin resistance.
Note: You need to have this test performed in a lab that ‘spins’ (centrifuges) your blood immediately after each test, or your results may be inaccurate.
From PCOS to perfect health, with love,
Dr. Rebecca Harwin
The PCOS Expert
Chiropractor & Bestselling Author of
Conquer Your PCOS Naturally
www.ConquerYourPCOSNaturally.com
P.S. To discover a little-known secret, if you take insulin-sensitising medications, read my article: Take insulin-sensitising medication for PCOS – you need to know this critical medically kept secret.
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