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 Menopause
is the natural and permanent cessation of the female monthly reproductive
cycle, a process which can take the body years to complete (1). It is
triggered when the ovaries, which are a major, but not the only, source
of the hormones, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in a woman's
body, begin to cease functioning.
Many individuals think that menopausal symptoms are caused solely by
the drop in estrogen, when in fact, they are the result of a complex,
unbalanced condition of these hormones relative to each other.
Women who suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome often look to menopause
for a lessening of their symptoms, thinking that, as their child-bearing
years come to an end, their PCOS will disappear with their ovulatory
cycles. But this is not the case.
According to Dr. Geoffrey Redmond, an endocrinologist specializing in
female hormones, "just because the ovaries are not functioning as
much doesn't mean that the other abnormalities won't still be present."
He goes on to point out that studies show that male hormone levels climb
fairly sharply with age (2). This could mean a worsening of symptoms
such as excess hair growth as those hormones become more active. It could
also mean that insulin-related issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular
symptoms could become more problematic.
While the research on menopausal/PCOS mechanisms is sparse, we do know
that because PCOS affects many of the body's systems, the responses of
each of these systems to aging will vary; and they will also vary according
to the individual.
 The
long term prognosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is confirmed by reproductive
endocrinologist, Dr. Walter Futterweit, who says: "It's not just
there when you're trying to have your children. And even into the ages
of 40s, you still can have the irregular cycles, the excess androgens.
Some of the long-term complications are things that are going to be manifest
as the person gets older. So it's not just a here, there for a few years.
It's pretty much a lifetime illness" (3).
Hormonal Imbalances
The name 'Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome' points to the ovaries because
it was long considered to be a reproductive issue, but it is now widely
accepted that polycystic ovaries develop as a result of endocrine disorders
characterized by a series of hormone imbalances: hyperandrogenism (specifically
excess testosterone) and Insulin Resistance due to excess insulin which
can trigger a cascade of other hormonal problems (4). From a systemic
point of view, the continuing and/or increase of PCOS symptoms is likely
due to continuing hormonal imbalance.
 Any
disruption of the endocrine system's delicate balance can have a profound
ripple-effect on almost every other aspect of a woman's body, and it
is just such a disruption that is found in women with PCOS. Insulin Resistance
results from reduced insulin sensitivity by the body's cells causing
an excess of insulin and glucose in the blood.
In the case of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, excess insulin causes the
ovaries to produce excess testosterone which can prevent ovulation and
result in infertility. High insulin levels can also increase the conversion
of testosterone into estrogen which effects weight gain and the formation
of ovarian cysts (5). Excess glucose is stored in fat cells which continue
to pump out excess estrogen further destabilizing the hormone system.
In the vascular system, insulin increases the risk of heart disease (6)
and it is a known precursor to diabetes. Unfortunately, these risks increase
as a woman ages.
Managing PCOS
 Although
there isn't a single cure for PCOS, lifestyle and nutritional changes
can significantly improve these imbalances. Weight loss and exercise
reduce the levels of insulin and supplementation can balance out the
systemic biochemistry. A healthy lifestyle is the best medicine and through
a comprehensive and consistent improvement in diet and activity, PCOS
symptoms can be effectively managed or diminished or be made to disappear
completely.
You may be interested in some of our Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQs) on PCOS and the Insulite PCOS System.
(1) International
Position Paper on Women's Health and Menopause, National heart, Lung
and Blood Institute, Office of Research on Women's Health, NIH and
Giovanni and Lorenzi Medical Science Foundation, NIH publication
No. 02-3284 July 2002.
(2) Menopause
/ PCOS: Estrogen Loss and Aging- Perloe M, Redmond G, European Menopause
and Andropause Society,
(3) Managing
the Symptoms of PCOS, Futterweit, W., The Healthology.org website
(4)(5) Polycystic
Ovary Syndrome: Clinical Considerations, Marshall K, ND candidate 2001,
Altern Med Rev 2001;6(3): 272-292.
(6) Coronary
Heart Disease Risk Factors in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Talbott
E; Guzick D; Clerici A; Berga S; Detre K; Weimer K; Kuller L.; Arteriosclerosis,
Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. 1995;15:821-826.
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