Most women with PCOS have insulin resistance, a problem with the way insulin acts in their bodies. In many cases, this may mean that they produce too much of it. This insulin disorder has far-ranging footprints. In addition to tipping a woman s body into diabetes fueling weight gain and triggering heart disease, it can profoundly affect the ovaries. Once the ovaries are involved, the condition is usually recognized as polycystic ovary syndrome.
Many women also produce too much estrogen.
These hormonal imbalances are what trigger the skipped or irregular periods so common to the disorder, as well as tiny, benign cysts on their ovaries. Not surprisingly, these problems can make getting pregnant very difficult-sometimes even impossible. Most doctors use the same medications on any patients who don t get their periods, explains Dr. Legro . Women with PCOS are more likely not to respond at all, or to be at increased risk for multiple pregnancy. Even when a woman with PCOS is able to conceive, she may be more likely to have a miscarriage than a woman who doesn t have the syndrome.