Menopause is a typical stage billions of women experience as they enter the second half of their lives. Occurring 12 months after the last period, women may deal with symptoms such as irregular periods, hot flashes, sleeping problems, and moodiness a few years during a phase called perimenopause before the menopausal transition. However, signs and symptoms can vary based on women’s genetics, behaviors like smoking or drinking alcohol, and their current health conditions.
For women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), the years leading up to menopause may differ compared to women without this chronic health condition. PCOS is a hormonal disorder initially diagnosed in a woman’s childbearing years and can cause discomfort in the ovaries, excessive hair growth, infertility, and other issues.
If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS and are nearing menopause, here’s what you can expect.
Menopause does not ease symptoms of PCOS
While menopause affects a woman’s hormones, it’s doubtful that it will cure your PCOS. The best way to manage symptoms of PCOS and menopause is by adopting a healthier diet, exercising regularly, avoiding behaviors like drinking or smoking, or partaking in hormone therapy (HRT). “HRT balances out the hormones to bring them back to the level they should be in the body, and as a result, eases symptoms” (The Gynae Centre). If you have additional health conditions, consult your doctor to ensure HRT fits you.
PCOS and menopause share similar symptoms
PCOS symptoms can continue during perimenopause and menopause. During perimenopause, women can expect their hormone levels to change significantly as their bodies prepare for menopause.
However, during these transitions, you may endure some of the same symptoms of PCOS, such as (Healthline):
- Irregular or missed periods
- Infertility
- Mood changes
- Sleep issues
- Thinning of the hair
- Undesired hair growth
- Extra weight gain around the abdomen
- Increased cholesterol levels
- Higher blood pressure
- Increase in insulin resistance
Thankfully, some of the same methods for managing PCOS apply to perimenopause and PCOS, like:
- Losing 5% of body weight
- Progestin therapy
- Limiting carbohydrates
- Staying physically active
- Taking medications like birth Clomiphene, Letrozole (Femara), Metformin, and Gonadotrophins
Lower production of estrogen and progesterone
Women with PCOS tend to have high levels of androgen in their systems. However, during the perimenopause and menopause stages, these hormones, alongside estrogen and progesterone, significantly decrease in the ovaries. “When people with PCOS reach perimenopause, their excess androgen levels can also begin to lower as their ovaries produce fewer hormones overall” (Verywell Health).
Possible health complications
As many with PCOS may know, this hormonal disorder can increase the risk of developing other chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. However, according to Verywell Health, there isn’t clarity on whether PCOS directly causes these health conditions or if they’re related to other factors like obesity or overweight.
Perimenopausal and menopausal women may endure these risk factors as well. In addition, research supports the idea of the increased risk of metabolic and cardiovascular disease in people with PCOS. Having PCOS combined with being in the perimenopausal or menopausal stages, it’s safe to assume that the risk of developing another chronic condition is relatively high without leading a healthy lifestyle.
Women with PCOS may not see any drastic changes as they enter menopause. This is because PCOS and the stages of perimenopause and menopause are relatively similar. Fortunately, women with PCOS nearing menopause can adopt healthy lifestyle habits and take medications to manage their symptoms.
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