Handling Depression due to PCOS

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Over the past few months, I have been noticing excessive hair growth on my face. Initially, I thought it to be some hormonal imbalance. The facial hair wasn’t just it. Gradually I started developing anxiety and stress. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome(PCOS). It not only affected my physical health but also worsened my mental health. A little stress, in the beginning, escalated to frequent anxiety attacks and I plunged into depression. It was a dual joust one to recover my physical health and another for my mental health says, 28 years Niti.

Studies suggest that around 4-20 percent of women of reproductive age suffer from PCOS, which makes it the most common health disorder among women. It may occur right after the first periods at the age of 11-12 or in the late 30s or beyond.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is an endocrine disorder that affects the function of the ovaries. The hormones go out of whack as the ovaries produce excess androgen. This develops fluid-filled sacs around ovaries called cysts. The cyst contains immature eggs called follicles. The follicles fail to regularly release eggs

Symptoms

The symptoms of PCOS are less visible. Symptoms of PCOS range from irregular periods,skin darkness and acne, male pattern baldness, weight gain and infertility, etc. Some women may suffer from one of these symptoms or might develop all of them together.

Irregular Periods: Irregular periods or the absence of periods during the reproductive age is the most common and visible symptom of PCOS as the follicles fail to release the eggs regularly.

Another condition is heavy or prolonged periods, a situation in which the periods last for more days and are normal along with heavy bleeding.

Excess androgen: The excess of androgen hormone results in acne, facial and body hair sometimes this may even escalate to male-pattern baldness too.

Excess Hair Growth: You may notice excess facial hair growth more than usual. This commonly happens due to excess androgen hormones. Besides this some women may face loss of hair in clumps and patches, a condition called Alopecia Areata.

Effects on mental health

The drastic physical changes in the body can push the person into anxiety and depression. These changes heavily affect the mental state of a person’s mind. The unpreparedness for all the symptoms and the inability to locate the results of the cause in mental health issues.

Studies suggest anywhere between 27-50 percent of women suffer from depression and anxiety while battling PCOS as compared to 19 percent of women without PCOS.

There is no absolute reason for stress and anxiety during PCOS but here are some of the common reasons that affect one’s mental health

Insulin resistance: During PCOS a woman’s body can make insulin but fails to use it effectively. The body refuses to take in glucose and this elevates the level of blood sugar resulting in diabetes. This also changes the hormonal composition – resulting in stress, anxiety, and depression.

Inflammation: The cortisol levels increase in the body during PCOS. The high cortisol levels increase inflammation throughout the body causing stress and anxiety.

Weight gain: Generally women are conscious of their weight. Thanks to the fake beauty standards and changing beauty trends. The inability to maintain a perfect body type pushes one into stress and sometimes even causes depression.

How to deal with the mental health issues in PCOS?

The mental health issues in PCOS can be resolved using similar precautions You just need to talk it all out honestly about the state of your mental health to your doctor. If PCOS is the main cause behind your mental health issues then your doctor may start by treating the primary causes first such as obesity, facial hair, hormonal acne, etc. Here are a few ways to address the issue. There are various options to address the issue few of them are listed below.

Talk Therapy: Talk therapy is the most effective treatment. This allows the person to communicate freely about the state of their mental health to the council. Talk therapy also allows them to locate the particular reasons affecting them.

Joining Support Groups: Combating an issue collectively makes it easier to solve the problem. One must prefer joining a similar group of people dealing with a similar problem. This will help provide a familiar environment and encourage you to take steps in a positive direction.

Antidepressants: At times when the matters become severe. Antidepressants could be the final resort to deal with mental health issues. It is advised to take antidepressants only at the doctor’s discretion otherwise it may prove to be harmful.

Mental health issues are common with PCOS. It can be treated with proper diagnosis and treatment. Once you start working on the underlying issues the mental health issues mitigates to a great extent. All you need is a positive approach and focused efforts.

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Collagen is a protein that promotes active joints and younger-looking skin and may help in improving women’s health. Collagens are the most abundant proteins found in connective tissues of human and animal species. Collagen is the most predominant protein in the body. A number of different types of collagen have been discovered among which type I/III and type II are the major types for the skin dermis and for the articular cartilage, respectively.

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in joint cartilage and the dermis of the skin. It provides the structural framework of your connective tissues to keep your skin firm and resilient and your joints active and fluid. Chondroitin sulfate is a naturally occurring element of joint cartilage that gives cartilage its incredible shock-absorbing properties. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a molecule that helps provide hydration for your skin, lubrication for your joints, and is the gel-like substance that holds your cells together.

Natural food sources of collagen are meat, fish, and eggs, but the best sources of collagen are found in tendons and cartilage, so bone broth is a good option. Eating foods rich in vitamin C and amino acids can increase the collagen in the body. Fruits and vegetables like oranges, red peppers, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and strawberries are all rich in vitamin C.

Facts that prove collagen can help with women’s health:

1) Collagen protein helps with weight loss and is more filling than other types of protein.

The intake of hydrolyzed collagen stimulates the release of satiating hormones into the bloodstream.

2) Speeds up recovery time for torn muscles, joints, and ligaments.

Collagen synthesis rates in connective tissue and muscles during the healing of an injury have been shown to be significantly higher during the first three weeks immediately following injury. It also helps increase muscle mass, prevents bone loss, and relieves joint pain associated with exercise and rheumatoid arthritis,

3) Prevents Heartburn and Ulcers.

Collagen peptides in the GI tract pull in water and attract acid molecules, which aids in the breakdown of food particles and help move food through the GI tract.

4) Repairs the intestinal lining to heal IBS & Leaky Gut.

Proper intestinal healing requires an increased collagen supply, and studies have found decreased collagen levels in those with digestive imbalances. Also, glutamine, one of the amino acids in collagen, is a key amino acid in preventing inflammation in the gut lining and healing leaky gut syndrome.

Collagen intake may help in improving women’s health on the whole. Collagen supplements may help in aiding the body to fill up on its missing levels and push its production. Studies also indicate that collagen supplements may reduce wrinkles and alleviate joint pain.

Choose collagen supplement wisely for women’s health

All collagen is not the same. Many collagen supplements on the market lack human clinical studies, do not contain efficacious ingredient quantities or make misleading claims. A patented, clinically proven formulation would work best.

“Powdered Collagen is only absorbed about 30% on average”, says Durga Eswar, a dietitian. “I use a liquid Collagen that is 93% bioavailable which means 93% is getting absorbed in the body. Type II Collagen helps to promote healthy hair growth.”

Not all collagen is the same or equivalent. The collagen type, source, molecular size, composition, and manufacturing process differentiate the various dietary supplement collagen products in their indications and efficacy.

“Liquid Collagen is not just an ordinary collagen ingredient is a clinically studied dietary ingredient composed of naturally-occurring hydrolyzed collagen type II peptides, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid. This unique matrix is not a blend of individual ingredients. 2 grams daily is effective for joint health, while 1 gram daily is effective for skin benefits. The outcome of these studies was presented in scientific conferences and also published in scientific journals. Collagen should be non-GMO and free of gluten, soy, shellfish, fish, egg, milk, peanuts, and sugar,” says Durga who also promotes a liquid collagen brand.

Who can take Collagen supplements?

Everyone can benefit from taking collagen supplements. Diet, age, stress, digestive system, and physical activity (sports which impact joints), all affect our ability to provide the body with the nutritional raw materials it requires to properly support joint and connective tissue health. Collagen should be an essential nutritional component for those wanting to remain healthy and active throughout their life.

Research shows that hydrolyzed collagen type II increased the collagen content in the facial skin. This suggests that collagen supplements can increase all of the major types of collagen (I, II, and III) found in the joints, skin, and other connective tissues.

Though collagen supplements are generally safe for women’s health, it is always better to check with your healthcare provider before starting any supplements.

For more on women’s health from Infano App, click here.