What Is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?
1. Hormones and PCOS
The underlying issue with PCOS is in the hormones. A woman’s ovaries produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. These two together help to regulate the menstrual cycle. Additional hormones called FSH and LH are responsible for initiating ovulation. The ovaries also produce a small amount of androgen, one of the male hormones.
As the cysts containing the immature eggs do not get released during ovulation, hormone levels are thrown out of balance. Progesterone and estrogen are both lowered, while the amount of androgen increases. These changes alter the menstrual cycle, reducing the frequency and regularity with which ovulation and periods occur.
