PCOS And Menopause: Key Things To Consider

What Is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

Before we explore how PCOS and menopause are connected, it is wise to comprehend the minutiae of each medical condition that we have mentioned. Let’s first dive into PCOS.

Even the people who are bound to take care of their bodies, like actresses, are affected by the ill- effects of PCOS. This is what the famous Star Wars actress Daisy Ridley had to say about her battle with the PCOS condition.

“My skin was THE WORST—I’ve tried everything: products, antibiotics, more products, more antibiotics, and all that did was leave my body in a bit of a mess. Finally found out I have polycystic ovaries, and that’s why it’s bad. I can safely say that feeling so self-conscious has left my confidence in tatters. I hate wearing makeup, but I currently don’t want to leave the house without it on,” - Daisy Ridley, Actress.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome(PCOS) is probably the most common reproductive disorder among women. One in every ten women in the reproductive age group in Britain suffer from this condition. The causes of this disease vary and are still being researched. This condition is evidenced by:

• Irregular or missed periods.
• High levels of androgens (often called male hormones, such as testosterone).
• Cysts on the ovaries (although not all women with PCOS have cysts).

Polycystic Ovarian syndrome symptoms are not always the same; however, these are the most common ones:

• Irregular periods (or no periods at all).
• Acne and oily skin.
• Excessive hair growth on the face, chest, or abdomen (hirsutism).
• Thinning hair on the scalp.
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight.
• Infertility.

What Is Menopause?

Menopause is a natural stage of every woman’s life, marking the end of her reproductive life. It is said to have occurred when the ovaries stop working and producing hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which ultimately leads to the stopping of monthly periods. In most women, it happens between the ages of 45 and 55, but some cultures and genetic conditions, as well as health standards and lifestyle choices, may lead to the early or late start of this phase change.

Perimenopause is a transitional stage that leads to menopause. In this stage, a woman continues to get her periods, but the frequency and timing of the cycles can change quite a lot depending on hormonal changes. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, such as:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood swings or irritability
• Sleep disturbances
• Vaginal dryness
• Reduced libido
• Difficulty concentrating (“brain fog”)
• Weight gain and changes in body shape

Women who have not got their cycles for a period of 12 months are said to be in menopause. After this, the postmenopause stage begins. Here, the symptoms of a woman vary; they can either start reducing or continue.

PCOS And Menopause: What’s The Connection?

Now that we have clarity about what PCOS and menopause are, let us take a look at the important facts about how these two interact with each other and what their mutual effect is.  Women with PCOS may experience a more complicated and unique menopausal transition compared to those without it.

Hormonal Imbalance: How Pcos Affects Hormones During Menopause

PCOS, put simply, is a hormonal disease; one of the primary features of PCOS is that there is a maladjustment of the sex hormones, specifically, an abnormally high level of androgens (testosterone and other male hormones). These imbalances can continue even on to the menopausal transition as women get older.

While transitioning into menopause, one’s ovaries will synthesise fewer amounts of oestrogen with a definite drop in the levels of progesterone. For women with PCOS, however, an abundance of androgens such as testosterone is likely to stick around even during the onset of menopause, which leads to:

• Increased growth of facial or body hair (hirsutism)
• Presence of acne or even discolouration on the face (acne)
• Reduced density of hair on the scalp (thinning)
• Increased insulin resistance, as well as a risk for diabetes and metabolic issues.

This continued imbalance can make the symptoms of Polycystic Ovaries syndrome even more pronounced in the years which are around menopause.

Have you been noticing an increase in the amount of hair growth or struggling with acne as you have grown older? It is likely because the androgenic symptoms of PCOS still persist, even at the menopause stage.

Irregular Periods: Pcos And Menopause

Those who are diagnosed with the PCOS condition do not get their periods regularly due to the associated hormonal imbalance. It is interesting to note that once women start getting into the stages of perimenopause, normal periods heavily become an irregularity, but it is considered natural with old age.

Women who have been suffering from PCOS all their lives are not exactly sure what to expect when hit with peri-menopause. Women who are diagnosed with PCOS have the tendency to experience the conditions for longer and thus have an extended perimenopausal phase.

Also, the symptoms of perimenopause (such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances) can overlap with existing PCOS symptoms, making it harder to tell what’s going on in the body. 

Do you notice that your periods are a little more out of whack than others, or do you still have irregular cycles as you get older? Tracking your cycles and speaking with your doctor can help determine what’s happening.

Health Risks: Pcos And Menopause’s Impact On Heart Health And Metabolism

PCOS has been found to increase the likelihood of heart disease, type-2 diabetes, and even hypertension. As you transition into the menopausal stage, these probabilities might rise, especially because menopause is related to further cholesterol changes, decreased bone density, and increased visceral fat (belly fat), all of which affect cardiovascular fitness. 

What’s more terrible about it is for women with PCOS, the chances of suffering heart disease or diabetes will still keep increasing with age. Important measures should be taken to safeguard and monitor your metabolic health.

Are your thoughts more focused on changes in your body shape or energy levels as you grow older? These might be a combination of genetic factors, PCOS and menopause, for which regular monitoring of medical parameters such as blood sugar and cholesterol becomes essential.

Key Considerations For Women With PCOS Going Through Menopause

It is crucial to understand how PCOS affects your menopausal experience, which we have discussed in the previous section. What are the required measures to tackle both of these in the best possible way? To make the transition easier for you, there are a few things you must keep in mind during this period:

1. Track Your Symptoms

For a woman, attaining menopause is quite a chaotic experience, and thus, slowly integrating that chaos into a new normal becomes a skill set one can develop. In that respect, logging information becomes a pivotal step of the process. It will help you identify whether your symptoms are due to menopause, PCOS, or a combination of both. Keep a journal of the following symptoms:

• Changes in menstrual cycle.
• Acne, hair thinning or hirsutism.
• Weight change.
• Mood and sleep patterns.

Now, this data can be shared with a physician as added context, which would surely help them treat you better. 

2. Adopt Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Women should focus on healthy lifestyle habits as they will be able to balance and adjust to the chaos. Gaining weight and having an increased chance of having insulin resistance, along with other symptoms of heart disease, only adds to the chaos. 

Here are a few measures you can take to counteract the symptoms:

• Exercise Regularly:  Research studies suggest to aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week, including cardio, muscle strength training, and a stretching routine.  
• Eat A Balanced Diet: Eat more vegetables, fruits, lean meat, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods, sugar, and refined carbs to control insulin resistance.  
• Stay Hydrated: Drink enough fluids to keep your skin moist, prevent hot flashes, and protect your overall health.  

Are you finding it a struggle to maintain your activity level or your weight? Physical exercise has proven to be highly beneficial for women dealing with PCOS as well as those going through the menopause transition.  

3. Bone Health And Osteoporosis

As a woman reaches menopause, they tend to lose estrogen, and this becomes a predisposing factor to osteoporosis (a bone-related disease). 

If the woman has a history of PCOS, Irregular periods or long cycles along with increasing stress levels further lead to low estrogen levels. This results in greater bone loss and, thus, degenerative diseases. In order to prevent the loss of bone density, the following should be advised: 

• Follow a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D. 
• Engage in weight-bearing exercises, such as walking, jogging, or strength training.

Make sure that you follow proper form while doing these exercises. A bad form can cause severe injuries to your bones or ligaments. It is always better to consult with a professional for expert advice.

4. Prioritise Mental Health

During this period, the most important thing is to focus on yourself and your mental health. The hormonal shift can pay the way for various conditions like anxiety, depression and mood swings. It’s essential to prioritise your mental health during this time:

• Practice stress management techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises
• Get plenty of sleep
• Seek professional help from a therapist if necessary.

Have you seen any changes in your behaviour toward other people and your handling of stress? It’s important to note that taking care of one’s mental well-being is essential while managing PCOS or going through menopause. Always seek professional help if you notice any disturbing changes in your mental and emotional well-being.

Health is a journey, and we at Nirva Health look forward to accompanying you on it. Are you currently experiencing PCOS or menopause? Get in touch with Nirva Health to understand how to manage your health journey efficiently. 

Wrapping It Up

Dealing with both PCOS and menopause at the same time could be challenging at times, but don’t think of it as if you are alone or lost in this. With appropriate lifestyle habits, guidance, and tools, you can keep the conditions at bay and enjoy a normal life.

Always bear in mind that looking after your health should be your main goal. By paying closer attention to the body that is experiencing changes and seeking professional help at the earliest, one is bound to enjoy a healthier life at all stages.

Stay educated, manage your health and progress, and keep pushing. You can do it!