“When two things occur successively we call them cause and effect if we believe one event made the other one happen. If we think one event is the response to the other, we call it a reaction. If we feel that the two incidents are not related, we call it a mere coincidence. If we think someone deserved what happened, we call it retribution or reward, depending on whether the event was negative or positive for the recipient. If we cannot find a reason for the two events’ occurring simultaneously or in close proximity, we call it an accident. Therefore, how we explain coincidences depends on how we see the world. Is everything connected, so that events create resonances like ripples across a net? Or do things merely co-occur and we give meaning to these co-occurrences based on our belief system? Lieh-tzu’s answer: It’s all in how you think.”
― Liezi, Lieh-tzu: A Taoist Guide to Practical Living
My definition
Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS) is a pain in the butt and should stand for “Pissing Me Off Syndrome”. It is a hormonal and metabolic syndrome which is presented in young women usually around time of puberty. This syndrome is lifelong and incurable, but it can be managed using the right tools at your disposal.
Causes and Symptoms
Although there is no “one” cause for PMOS, experts have speculated and come up with quite a few theories. Insulin Resistance is a major player in the case for this syndrome. Insulin allows cells to use sugar to create energy but when you are resistant and do not respond to insulin, your blood sugar rises and your body in turn makes more insulin in attempt to bring your sugar levels lower, which can also contribute to brain fog and fatigue due to the constant hormonal and metabolic strain.
The second most common cause is genetics. Odds are that if there are other female family members like your mother, sister, or aunt that have been diagnosed with PMOS, then your chance of developing it is much higher.
The third, final, and most prominent cause is excessive androgens. If you aren’t familiar, androgens are hormones that activate the development of male physical characteristics and reproductive health. Now everyone has androgens, but in my case I have an imbalance. Through some blood tests I’ve learned that I have high androgen levels which in turn left me with undesired hair on my face, acne, trouble losing weight/gaining weight, along with heightened mood swings and emotional sensitivity that tend to flare when androgen levels spike.
I’ve already touched on some symptoms like weight, acne and hirsutism, but at its core PMOS has a spider web of symptoms which affect young women. Dark spots on the skin, Type 2 Diabetes, skin tags, intense cravings & hunger, fatigue, weight changes, etc. all come hand in hand with being resistant to insulin, while in the case of excess androgens comes issues with fertility, acne/oily skin, hirsutism, androgenic alopecia, missed periods and in rare cases severe virilization.
We also can’t forget about the symptoms that come with the hormone imbalance that the condition itself causes. The two major symptoms besides all the ones that I’ve already listed which tie with this would be sleep apnoea and cysts found on the ovaries. I have been fortunate enough not to get sleep apnoea, however, I have had a cyst on my ovary, but it has not become an issue and I am monitoring it. Hormonal imbalance can also contribute to irritability, overwhelm, anxiety, depression, and mental exhaustion, which often go unnoticed because they aren’t as visible as physical symptoms.
It is important to know that there is still researching going on and experts are gathering more data on this condition as it gains more and more popularity, which means there could be a plethora of new symptoms that have not been linked to this issue yet.
Welcome to mypmoshealth! Please do not hesitate to leave a comment below to share your thoughts and feel free to contact me on Bluesky. 🙂
