PCOS stands for polycystic ovary syndrome. Consider your ovaries as bunches of seeded grapes on a much smaller scale 🍇 The seed in the centre of the grape is an immature egg cell and the flesh of the grape is what we call the fluid-filled follicle. They’re like little sacs that contain the immature eggs. PCOS is when some of these sacs are unable to release an egg, which means that ovulation does not take place ☝️ Unfortunately, the cause is unknown, but there are ways to help manage the condition. It's thought that PCOS is related to abnormal levels of hormones in the body, one of which is insulin. This is the hormone that controls blood sugar 🩸 When you eat, insulin is released however, women with PCOS are resistant to the effect of this insulin and therefore produce more. Higher insulin results in higher testosterone (a hormone usually associated with male fertility but it's normal to have testosterone in women too!). This high testosterone prevents ovulation, and disrupts the menstrual cycle making it potentially an irregular or anovulatory cycle (no egg is released) 💜 #pcosawarenessmonth #pcos #polysysticovariansyndrome #ovaries #ovulation #hormones #insulin #bloodsugar #testosterone #mensturalcycle #irregularcycle #anovulatorycycle