This intersex umbrella covers a wide range of “individuals born with a hormonal, chromosomal, gonadal or genital variation which is considered outside of the male and female norms,” and PCOS meets that definition.
Further, other studies show that although PCOS patients are less likely to identify with a traditional feminine gender scheme compared to age-matched peers, the prevalence of gender incongruence in PCOS patients is not higher than in the general population.
The most common intersex variations are due to differences in chromosomes, such as Klinefelter syndrome and Turner syndrome. Intersex variations to do with genitals that look different are less common.
PCOS is a very common hormone problem for women of childbearing age. Women with PCOS may not ovulate, have high levels of androgens, and have many small cysts on the ovaries. PCOS can cause missed or irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, infertility, and weight gain.
Some people are actually born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that doesn't fit traditional sex binaries of male and female. This is generally called 'intersex', and intersex people too may have periods.
It mainly affects women and is often discussed as a solely women's condition. However, endometriosis can affect intersex, transgender and gender nonconforming people too. In extremely rare cases it has been found in infants and in cisgender men. However the majority of sufferers are women.
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. There's evidence that genetics play a role. Several other factors, most importantly obesity, also play a role in causing PCOS: Higher levels of male hormones called androgens: High androgen levels prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs, which causes irregular menstrual cycles.
This includes having excess amounts of androgen hormones, like testosterone, and, in some cases, a lack of progesterone. All of this can lead to brain fog, irritability, depression, and anxiety that can be severe and debilitating. It can also lead to severe mood swings, which can cause a general feeling of instability.
Some factors that may cause intersex to occur in an individual include: Genetic conditions that cause abnormal hormonal levels in genital development. Y genes that are missing or misplaced. Artificial or natural hormone exposure during the development of embryos.
Intersex variations come in many different types and are experienced in many different ways. Some common types are: congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Klinefelter syndrome, hypospadias, and androgen insensitivity syndrome.
Having PCOS does not mean you can't get pregnant. PCOS is one of the most common, but treatable, causes of infertility in women. In women with PCOS, the hormonal imbalance interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation). If you don't ovulate, you can't get pregnant.
Further, other studies show that although PCOS patients are less likely to identify with a traditional feminine gender scheme compared to age-matched peers, the prevalence of gender incongruence in PCOS patients is not higher than in the general population.
It's unclear what causes the increased risk for anxiety and depression among people with PCOS. It could be due to PCOS symptoms or hormonal differences associated with the disorder, or to a combination of factors that is still unknown.
Previous studies have found that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have some degree of brain function change as well as cognitive function and emotions, such as poor executive functioning and memory, anxiety and depressive symptoms.
In examining women with PCOS, it was found that 16% of them have major depression and 2% have bipolar disorder. Depression and anxiety are more prevalent in women with PCOS than in the general population.
The exact cause of PCOS isn't known but it's thought to be caused by a hormone and metabolic (the chemical reactions in the body's cells that change food into energy) imbalance in the body. PCOS can run in families so if someone in your family has the condition, it's more likely you may have it too.
Because there is a distinct degree of hyperandrogenism in PCOS, this hyperandrogenism can exert inhibitory effects on progesterone and consequently leads to increase mammary epithelial cell proliferation, breast growth, and fibrocystic breast formation [25–29].
PCOS is a lifelong condition that may lead to future long-term health risks.
However, just as endometriosis can occur in postmenopausal women, it is also true that it has been found in girls who have not yet menstruated.
Adenomyosis (ad-uh-no-my-O-sis) occurs when the tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrial tissue) grows into the muscular wall of the uterus.
Even small amounts of endometriosis, however, can impair fertility at the molecular level, owing to the presence of chemicals in pelvic fluid that are toxic to sperm, eggs, and embryo. "A couple can overcome these challenges, but it takes more time to get pregnant," Falcone explained.