How Insulin Resistance Drives PCOS & Infertility
If you have PCOS, you likely already know its connection to infertility, but did you know that insulin resistance is one of the main underlying causes of both of these conditions? Insulin affects all other hormones and plays a role in the development of symptoms such as weight gain, infertility, fatigue, poor sleep and more. While insulin resistance can affect many areas of the body, today we’ll be discussing how it plays a key role in the development of PCOS and infertility and what you can do about it.
What is Insulin?
Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas that allows your cells to take up sugar that is broken down from the foods you eat, to be used for energy. If not used right away, it’s also stored as glycogen in the muscles for later use. Insulin is necessary for blood sugar control, aiding the body’s ability to keep blood sugar levels stable. This is a critical role, because when blood sugar rises too high (hyperglycemia) or falls too low (hypoglycemia) this becomes extremely dangerous.
What Is Insulin Resistance?
Insulin is triggered by the pancreas when we consume sugar, carbohydrates and even proteins. Once triggered, insulin’s job is to take the broken down sugars (glucose) into our cells to be used for energy. In order to get inside the cell, it must latch onto an insulin receptor on the outside of cell, which then allows this transfer to occur. What happens with overconsumption of sugars, is that these insulin receptors can “burn out”, so the glucose is unable to get into the cell and is forced to recirculate throughout the body. The cell is now resistant to the signal of insulin. But, it can be reversed!
Symptoms of Insulin Resistance
High blood sugar or diabetes (this is not necessary to have insulin resistance)
Cravings for sugars and carbohydrates
Weight gain or inability to lose weight
PCOS
Shakiness or jitters between meals
Anxiety
Needing to eat frequently
Chronic fatigue, especially if meals are missed
Skin tags
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Increased weight around the mid section
Darkened skin around the neck, groin or armpits
Frequent urination
Fertility struggles
What Causes Insulin Resistance?
Diet high in sugars and carbohydrates
Chronic stress
Inadequate sleep
Poor digestive function
Hypothyroidism
Chronic infection
Gut dysbiosis
Liver congestion
& more
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How Does Insulin Resistance Drive PCOS & Infertility?
Insulin resistance drives PCOS and fertility in a few ways. It increases the stress hormone cortisol, which can then further increases blood sugar and insulin levels, feeding the vicious cycle. When insulin resistance develops, the body is not able to effectively get blood sugar (glucose) into the cells to be used for energy. This results in an increase in circulating insulin, which then triggers the ovaries to produce androgens like testosterone, while also inhibiting the liver’s ability to break down and bind excess hormones (by inhibiting production of sex-hormone-binding globulin or SHBG). This results in an increase in testosterone and resulting PCOS.
Additionally, the resulting increase in estrogen and testosterone stimulates the ovaries to produce follicles, but not to ovulate, which is one main way fertility struggles can occur. Elevated insulin and insulin resistance will also fuel inflammation, which is strongly connected to PCOS and infertility.
Ways to Begin Lowering Insulin
Significantly reduce or remove sugar and refined carbohydrate intake to lower blood sugar and therefore reduce the need for excessive insulin production
Eat more protein, fibre and healthy fats
Reduce caffeine intake and don’t drink it on an empty stomach to lower cortisol levels
Reduce stress levels
Prioritize sleeping 8 hours a night
Fast
Exercise
