Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) either
you have it or you have definitely heard about it. From diets to avoid to
exercises to try out, women and their doctors are trying to crack the solutions
to the disorder that has remained largely undiagnosed and unmanaged. We largely
do not know the causes of PCOS, and it’s becoming alarmingly common in younger
girls. What we do know is that it is a lifestyle, metabolic disorder impacted
by genetic and environmental factors. This usually means what you eat and how
you live your life, but a new study has found that it could also mean PCOS is
affected by your literal environment, especially if it is air pollution.
Toxins in the Air We Breathe = Toxins in
Our System:
Breathing toxic air among teenage girls is
linked with slightly increased chances of menstrual irregularity and a longer
time to achieve regularity. While air pollution exposures have been linked to
cardiovascular and pulmonary disease, this study suggests there may be other
systems, such as the reproductive endocrine system, that are affected as well,
So the particulate matter in air pollution can have an adverse impact on our
hormonal regulation.
The toxins and chemicals in the air are
poisonous to our cells, we see this in our cardiovascular system, so it makes
sense that this disrupts other systems in our body like our endocrine system.
Our ovarian cycle needs to be in perfect balance, but these factors can disrupt
that to cause PCOS. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in the
environment are being researched to etch out the links to PCOS. According to
period and fertility tracker app and website Clue, prenatal or development
exposure to certain compounds in chemicals, products, cigarettes and air
pollution may predispose the baby in the womb to PCOS. Exposure inside the womb
is a potential contributing factor, and air pollution can infect the mother and
the toxins from it can adversely impact her reproductive system too.
Obesity, Diabetes, and More: The Domino
Effect of PCOS:
Despite the general haze around the
disorder, experts agree that the main issue with PCOS is insulin resistance and
inflammation. Insulin resistance is a tricky beast, causing women to put on
weight as they need more insulin to absorb the energy-giving glucose in our
bloodstream. However, more weight worsens insulin resistance and round the
cycle we go. This could cause other complications, with irregular menstruation
and menstrual problems being just one. With obesity, there are increased risks
of hypertension, diabetes, higher blood pressure, and more lifestyle diseases.
Plus, another one of the symptoms of PCOS is infertility as well. Toxins and
chemicals in the air being bad for us is not new information, but the extent to
which air pollution can seep in and destroy our body systems is both alarming
and deeply frightening. This could mean that more kids are born with PCOS and
more women will have problems in their reproductive systems if we do not take
serious action to control air pollution.