Is PCOS protective?

hormone health open access Jul 18, 2024

PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is a condition that affects many women, characterized by symptoms like excess hair growth, acne, irregular periods, and insulin resistance.

One interesting perspective on PCOS is its potential role as a protective mechanism, rooted in our evolutionary past. Researchers suggest that PCOS traits, like increased fat storage and insulin resistance, may have been advantageous for our ancestors during times of food scarcity. In those challenging environments, storing extra fat helped ensure survival during lean times, while insulin resistance helped maintain stable blood sugar levels when food was scarce. Additionally, higher levels of androgens, like testosterone, may have provided physical advantages such as increased strength and fitness.

Moreover, PCOS is associated with decreased fertility, likely due to prioritizing survival over reproduction in environments with limited resources and imminent danger. However, in today's world of abundant food availability and sedentary lifestyles, these same traits can lead to health problems. Women with PCOS may find themselves grappling with symptoms that were once adaptive but are now maladaptive in modern society.

This brings up some intriguing questions: Are women with PCOS feeling unsafe in any way? Is their environment or lifestyle contributing to this feeling of insecurity?

This is an aspect of PCOS that is not often discussed but that I believe is extremely important in reversing this “condition”.

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