Normal hormonal level, especially in females, is one of the prerequisites for sound health. PCOS interrupts the physiology of the body in the following manner:
1. Infertility: Fertilization of the egg with the sperm is an essential phenomenon for pregnancy. In PCOS, the ovulation process is disturbed and there is no release of the egg from the ovary which leads to infertility. PCOS is considered to be one of the important cause for infertility.
2. Sleep apnea: Women with PCOS may develop sleep apnea or interruption in sleep. The condition is characterized by obstruction of the upper respiratory system while sleeping followed by bouts of pauses in breathing. This may partially be due to the excessive thickening of the neck due to deposition of fatty tissue in obese people.
3. Psychological condition issues: More than 50% of PCOS women suffer from anxiety and depression. This is due to low confidence, reduced self-image, and low esteem while coping with the symptoms of PCOS such as hirsutism (excessive facial hair), alopecia, moderate to severe acne and obesity.
4. Metabolic effects: Women suffering from PCOS are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disorders, and stroke.
5. Endometrial cancer: The endometrial lining which is the lining of cells in the uterus, should be shed during each menstrual cycle and a new lining is formed in the next cycle. Due to the irregular period, the previous lining remains unshed leading to the build-up of the endometrial lining. This increases the risk of endometrial cancer.
6. Acanthosis nigricans: Darkening of skin is seen in these women and the area most affected are the neck, groin, and tissue surrounding breasts.