Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is when androgens (male hormones) are elevated in females. Signs and symptoms include:
- Irregular or lack of periods
- Excess body and facial hair
- Acne
- Pelvic pain
- Infertility
Associated conditions can include heart disease, type II diabetes, uterine cancer and obesity. It is considered one of the most common causes of ovulation disorders and infertility in women. However, latest research has shown is that but PCOS is often accompanied by mood disorders.
It is estimated to affect about 20% of women according to the US Department of Health and Human Services. One of the main problems, given its serious consequences, is obtaining an accurate diagnosis. In one survey of 1385 women, over a third said it took more than two years to obtain a final diagnosis.
PCOS and depression
PCOS greatly increases the odds of developing depression. The main culprits are the male sex hormones, which can lower your mood. PCOS is a highly personal condition and varies from patient to patient. Therefore there is no easy way to determine how depression associated with PCOS will manifest itself. Some of the common forms experienced by PCOS sufferers include:
* Seasonal affective disorder: this type of depression tends to occur during winter or shorter days. It is thought to be possibly associated with a decrease in available sunlight
* Dysthymia: a kind of long lasting, low intensity depression, which can drag on for months
* Major depressive disorder: a severe form of depression, which can last months or weeks. It has a debilitating effect affecting both work and lifestyle
PCOS and body image – a trigger for depression
Body image is a major issue with women of childbearing age. When we consider this we usually think of the reflection in the mirror, but the term encompasses more than that. For instance it includes the idea of body function. A diagnosis of infertility can be a major blow to one’s identity as a woman. Other body image problems associated with PCOS might weight gain, hair loss, excessive hair growth and acne.
What can be done?
It’s not easy to treat depression, particularly if the advice is to exercise! Being told to run around when you are in the depths despair may even add to your depression!
However, lifestyle changes HAVE been shown to be useful in managing depression associated with PCOS.
A 2010 study carried out by the University of Adelaide, Australia explored lifestyle changes to treat depression associated with PCOS.
In this study, the researchers investigated 49 women with PCOS and depression and separated them into three groups:
- Diet only
- Diet with aerobic exercise
- Diet and combined aerobic-resistance exercise
At the end of a 20-week period, all participants had lost weight and reported improvements in their depression. So it is clear that adhering to a healthy lifestyle can help treat PCOS related depression in women. It can also improve self-body-image perception through weight loss.
PCOS creates various challenges for sufferers to overcome, of which depression may be a key component. Understanding how the disorder works is key to implementing possible lifestyle changes. It is also important that the condition is managed to control the symptoms.
