PCOS and Insulin Resistance

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. Often caused by insulin resistance, being overweight, and high stress levels, PCOS not only affect a woman’s chances of conceiving, but her ability to carry to term as well.

“Insulin resistance means that the body doesn’t respond to insulin properly to bring the sugar levels down, so the pancreas work harder and harder to produce more insulin to get the blood glucose level under control,” says  Dr. Chung H. Wu, director of DVIF& G's PCOS Early Detection and Treatment Program. “The pancreas eventually become exhausted and can no longer output enough insulin to keep the blood sugar level down. This chronic condition causes the ovaries to produce too many male hormones which can suppress egg maturation and even damage the eggs themselves. This makes it difficult for a woman to achieve pregnancy and also increases the rate of miscarriage if she does conceive.”

The good news is that PCOS is treatable if it’s detected early, according to Dr. Wu. “Our institute is one of the very few facilities that can not only detect, but treat the condition as well,” he says. “The specialized test for insulin resistance is as simple as drawing blood. Then we develop a plan to get the insulin level under control.”

Dr. Wu has successfully treated over 2,000 women with PCOS and has conducted several studies on the effect of lifestyle change on controlling the condition.  He has found that many of his patients with PCOS who begin exercising regularly, eating a well-balanced diet filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and managing stress can control the condition without medication. Some, however, do need to take insulin-sensitizing medications, such as metformin (glucophage®), in conjunction with adopting a healthy lifestyle to manage PCOS.