Men With PCOS
NOTE: I AM NOT AN OBGYN/MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL. This is my experience and what I have learned through years of dealing with PCOS and all the associated health and mental conditions related to it. That said:
Effects of PCOS on Boys & Men
It makes sense that males could be effected by PCOS and their condition overlooked due to their gender. But men are just as at risk because we have the same hormones, though in different quantities and our gonads serve similar functions. In fact, it is FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) that stimulates the testes to produce sperm and LH (luteinizing hormone) to produce testosterone.
When my son was born the first thing that was said was, "He looks just like his mother". And it is still true, he is me made over. At almost 3 he has my wide, muscular build and weight issues despite my efforts to feed him healthy foods and water to prevent that very problem. Right now he's just a bit overweight and he's extremely active but once he begins school and is forced to be still for 6hrs or more I expect his weight may increase since there is not enough activity in schools these days. Now that I know that boys and men can be affected by PCOS I will be on the look out for the symptoms so that treatment can be sought as soon as possible.
Signs of PCOS In Males
Insulin Resistance
-darker skin around neck, elbows, knuckles, thighs, underarms, anywhere skin is flexed
-excess weight around the stomach
-skin tags
IR doesn't mean you are diabetic but it is very likely that you will be Type 2 Diabetic eventually, unless changes are made.
IR occurs when the body does not properly use the insulin produced by the pancreas, forcing the pancreas to make more and more. Since IR people can't properly process sugars/carbs you see belly fat which is the worst kind of weight gain because it increases heart disease (and IR itself damages blood vessels and increases heart disease) and produces hormones that further worsen PCOS issues.
Eventually the pancreas will no longer be able to keep up with the IR body's need and you'll start seeing pre-diabetic and diabetic blood glucose levels.
Normal BG Levels:
Fasting (no eating/drinking anything for 8hrs): 70-99
if you are consistently over 90 or have two 126+ readings you should mention this to your doctor as it may be a sign of pre-diabetes or that it's imminent, or that you have type 2 diabetes.
After Meals: under 140
if you're seeing numbers over 140 you may be pre-diabetic or type 2 diabetic. Numbers over 200 at any time need to be reported to a doctor as soon as possible.
Hyperandrogenism (high levels of male sex hormone/testosterone)
Men/boys are not commonly monitored for this issue but it can affect them adversely and in some of the ways women with PCOS are affected. There are little actual stats, only suspicions and studies in the works but they are compelling. The data out there right now is preliminary.
Increased Body Hair- may cause excess back/chest/body hair
Early Puberty
Deeper Than Normal Voice
Increased Muscle Mass
Increased Libido or Decreased Libido (depending on the levels of other hormones)
Loss of Scalp Hair
Acne/Oily Skin
Risky Behavior (risky sex/physical risk takers)
Increased Aggression & Increased Likelihood of Criminal Behavior
Sleep Apnea
Decreased Sperm Count
Fluid retention
Decreased testicle size
Decrease in sperm count
Increase in red blood cells
Mood Swings
Increased breast tissue (excess testosterone in men can be turned into estrogen)
More research must be done but it makes sense that men can be affected by PCOS. New research is changing the way PCOS is viewed and will hopefully lead to better treatment and prevention of adverse affects in all ages and genders.
Interesting Websites:
http://antranik.org/fsh-and-lh-gonadotropic-hormones/
http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/insulinresistance/
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/news/2012/10/dunaif_pcos.html
http://www.glowm.com/section_view/heading/Polycystic%20Ovary%20Syndrome/item/300
