Polycystic ovary syndrome is a disease that manifests itself, inter alia, in menstrual disorders and hirsutism. However, the slightly different problems that are sometimes associated with PCOS are rarely mentioned. We are talking about mental disorders that occur with an increased frequency in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and which definitely cannot be underestimated.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS, abbreviation of the English termpolycystic ovary syndrome ) is one of the most common endocrine diseases - it is estimated that it affects 6% to even 15% of women of childbearing age1 . The main characteristic of this unit are three symptoms, which include: manifestations of hyperandrogenism (excess of male sex hormones in the female body), menstrual disorders and polycystic ovaries in the ultrasound image (when the presence of multiple follicles within the ovaries is noticeable).

In many patients polycystic ovary syndrome is diagnosed long time after the onset of symptoms, while in this patient, early diagnosis is extremely important - PCOS increases the patient's risk of multiple comorbidities. The most often mentioned are the metabolic syndrome, excess body weight, arterial hypertension and carbohydrate disorders. Another aspect that can also definitely be considered important, and which is mentioned much less, is the impact of PCOS on the psyche of patients suffering from it.

Why PCOS can negatively affect women's mental he alth?

The hyperandrogenism mentioned earlier is an excess of male sex hormones. This condition can lead to various ailments that many patients are unable to accept. Hyperandrogenism is associated with, for example, hirsutism, the manifestation of which is e.g. the appearance of hair on the female body in places where it is not typically found (e.g. on the back, face or around the nipples). The consequence of hyperandrogenism is also acne, excessive oily skin and hair, and male pattern baldness.

You don't really need to convince anyone that the patients who are on the facehair appears, they can quickly start to deal with various complexes. Some women then begin to doubt their femininity, others try to limit their social contacts. Already here it becomes visible how much PCOS can affect the female psyche - it is not difficult to really guess. Additionally, the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome and mental disorders is confirmed by scientific research.

PCOS and the risk of depression and anxiety disorders

It is probably quite clear that patients who notice symptoms of hirsutism in themselves may eventually develop, among others, after some time. into depression. The problem, however, is much more complex - it can be mentioned here, for example, that menstrual disorders, and more specifically ovulation disorders, can significantly hinder getting pregnant. For many women, the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome is ultimately associated with the feeling of even increased anxiety - patients may be convinced that they will never manage to get pregnant.

The fact that PCOS affects the risk of mental disorders is convinced by the data presented by scientists. According to the publication from 2011 ( Increased risk for abnormal depression scores in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis ), patients with polycystic ovary syndrome are four times more likely than women in the general population to struggle with depression. An interesting study was also published a few years earlier, in 2007 ( Increased risk of depressive disorders in women with polycystic ovary syndrome ), the authors of which presented that in the group of women they studied depressive disorders occurred in 21% of PCOS patients and only 3% of control women2 .

The relationship between depression and polycystic ovary syndrome therefore seems quite clear, a similar correlation exists in the case of this individual and other mental problems - anxiety disorders. According to the analyzes carried out in 2012, based on the data presented in 4 different studies, generalized anxiety disorders occurred in 20.4% of the studied women with polycystic ovary syndrome and in 3.9% of the respondents in whom the above-mentioned unit was absent 3 .

PCOS and the risk of other mental disorders

Polycystic ovary syndrome increases the risk of not only depression and anxiety disorders, but also other mental disorders. It has already been reported that patients with PCOS have an increased risk of obsessive-compulsive disorders (commonly referred to as obsessive compulsive disorders), personality disorders ornutrition. Attention was drawn to the correlation between polycystic ovary syndrome and problems such as bipolar disorder (BD) or schizophrenia.

The role of the doctor and the fear and anxiety experienced by the patient

Doctors who care for PCOS patients face many challenges. It is important not only that they make proper diagnoses and plan appropriate treatment, but also that they educate their patients.

A woman who has heard a PCOS diagnosis usually starts looking for information about the individual. And although the Internet is currently one of the basic sources of information, unfortunately you can often "come across" content in it that does not have much in common with reality. Patients are often scared that they will never become pregnant, which is not true in practice. Here, the role of doctors of patients with PCOS becomes clearly visible: they should inform them about the course of the disease, but also tell them about ways to deal with its symptoms (e.g. through the available methods of removing unwanted hair).

Given the importance of the correlation between PCOS and mental disorders, doctors should also inform women about underlying conditions that suggest mental he alth problems. Long-term depression, loss of motivation to act, lack of energy or a feeling of constant anxiety are just some of the examples of ailments that may indicate the need to go to a psychologist or psychiatrist.

PCOS and a visit to a psychiatrist: what do you need to tell the doctor about?

When patients with PCOS notice that they gradually begin to feel worse and worse, it is not worth delaying - it is best to go to a specialist as soon as possible. Sometimes it is a psychologist, sometimes a psychiatrist. Honesty during meetings with the above-mentioned specialists is very important, but in the case of psychiatrists it is of special importance.

Psychiatrists choose a method of treating her problem that is appropriate for the patient on the basis of various factors - they take into account, among others, other problems occurring in the examined woman. For this reason, you should definitely inform your doctor about the burden of polycystic ovary syndrome - in women with it, the use of certain medications may not be recommended. We are talking mainly about those psychotropic drugs that can lead to hyperprolactinemia or weight gain.

It should be emphasized at this point that patients with PCOS should not be afraid of visiting a psychiatrist - their use of drugspsychotropic drugs may be safe, but in order to do so, the specialist must know that they should avoid prescribing certain pharmaceuticals to the patient.

Psychobiotics - mild stress support

When it comes to pharmaceuticals, it is worth mentioning the appropriate supplementation. Deficiencies in certain dietary ingredients, mainly magnesium and B vitamins, may result in increased nervous tension. You should also think about strengthening the intestines, which - due to stress - become weakened. Stress stimulates the sympathetic system, which inhibits all processes - unnecessary for the time of strong activation of the nervous system - including digestion, nutrient absorption and proper peristalsis.

There is one more relationship that is being talked about more and more in the scientific world - problems in the gut also affect well-being. This is why psychobiotics, i.e. probiotics, were created, which - by restoring the bacterial balance in the intestine - restore emotional balance. The strains tested in this regard include:Lactobacillus helveticusRosell®- 52 andBifidobacterium longumRosell ®- 175. These strains were used both by he althy people, but subjected to high stress4 , and people diagnosed with depression5 . In both cases, they worked equally well - in people taking antidepressants, they strengthened pharmacotherapy and protected the intestines against side effects of drugs.

How can you support a loved one suffering from PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a unit that undoubtedly affects both the body and psyche of the patient. Due to how heavy it can be, the support of a woman by her relatives is very important. There are really small things that can help, such as accompanying her during meetings with doctors. The very awareness that there is a close person nearby who is ready to help if necessary, can have an extremely positive impact on the condition and well-being of a woman with PCOS.

Category:

Female diseases