In recent years, awareness of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has been growing, with more research and strategies emerging to manage its symptoms. There is increasing recognition of the importance of lifestyle changes, building healthy habits, and the role of diet in alleviating symptoms. Sleep quality and stress management are also gaining attention.
The causes of PCOS remain unclear to this day. Researchers point to genetic and environmental factors. There is also talk of different types of PCOS, categorizing women based on the underlying causes of their condition. These categories include insulin resistance, high androgen levels, inflammation in the body, or PCOS triggered by stopping hormonal birth control.
However, many women don’t fit neatly into any specific PCOS category, which is when we talk about a “mixed type.” This categorization can be helpful in managing symptoms, but does it truly get to the root cause? Is this the true source of PCOS?
In my opinion, we need to dig even deeper—and I’m not alone in this belief! Many researchers have long observed the connection between emotions, the mind, and how they manifest physically. Yes, the mind and body are one! Although exploring these connections is much more challenging, it’s encouraging to see growing attention being paid to these areas.
What made me look further?
My own experiences and conversations with other women who had similar struggles. Despite following a healthy PCOS-friendly diet, taking supplements, exercising, getting enough sleep, and leading a generally healthy lifestyle, the results were disappointing. Whenever I relaxed my routine, even slightly—whether with diet or sleep—the symptoms would return. The same happened when I stopped taking birth control pills.
I didn’t want to live like that, so I kept searching for answers. Now, I understand how essential it is to address chronic stress and work on building a sense of inner safety to regulate hormones and free myself from PCOS.
But where is the root cause? Could it be chronic stress or trauma?
First, let’s define trauma. Trauma is a person’s response to an event—it’s not the event itself (such as an accident). It is an experience that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope and process the difficult emotions connected to that event.
There is also childhood trauma, which can occur when a child faces frequent and/or prolonged adversity or neglect without adequate support from adults. This can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, such as assault, sexual harassment, bullying, or humiliation by peers.
Other experiences, like a turbulent parental divorce, constant family conflicts, severe illness, or the sudden death of a caregiver during childhood, can also be sources of trauma. Toxic family dynamics—such as unhealthy relationships between parents or between parents and grandparents—and substance abuse within the family can also contribute to trauma, along with many other factors.
Long-term exposure to stressful situations and unresolved trauma can promote a toxic stress response. A chronically dysregulated stress response, especially during early childhood, can negatively impact overall health. It can directly affect the HPA axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis), leading to dysregulation that disrupts the neuroendocrine-immune system.
The link between childhood trauma and health issues
A groundbreaking study conducted in the 1990s, known as the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) study, found a strong connection between childhood trauma and various negative health outcomes in adulthood. These include a significantly higher risk of heart disease, addictions, depression, suicide, and obesity.
Experts like psychiatrist Bessel van der Kolk, psychologist Peter Levine, physician Nadine Burke Harris, and doctor Gabor Maté have all highlighted the connection between trauma and health problems.
In 2022, a study (PMID: 35985071) was conducted on a sample of psychiatrically healthy women to examine how different forms of abuse (emotional, physical, sexual) and neglect (emotional and physical) influence the occurrence of PCOS. The study found that emotional abuse (31.6%) was the most common form of abuse and was significantly linked to PCOS.
You might be thinking: “Okay, but I have PCOS and my sister doesn’t, and we went through the same things. How does that make sense?”
Nothing in life is black and white.
Each of us processes reality differently. We all have unique tolerances—for food, exercise, and stress response. We enjoy different things, have distinct tastes, and prefer different ways to relax. We also have unique genetic predispositions. Most importantly, we all have different sensitivities.
Maybe your sister found a healthy outlet for her stress through sports or a hobby. Perhaps she expressed emotions differently, worked on her inner balance and sense of safety, or found supportive people around her who helped her break the stress response cycle. As a result, her nervous system may have been able to exit the fight, flight, or freeze mode.
Reflect for a moment—do your PCOS symptoms worsen during stressful times?
I believe it’s essential to recognize that trauma, whether experienced in childhood or later in life, can negatively impact the nervous system, potentially leading to hormonal imbalances like PCOS. Research also shows a link between emotional abuse and the occurrence of PCOS.
It’s important to remember that everyone is different and has unique factors that influence the development and progression of PCOS. That’s why it’s crucial to look deeper—not just at physical factors but also emotional ones—to better understand this complex condition and find the right strategies to manage its symptoms.
Don’t worry! You can find your balance and regulate your nervous system.
I invite you to follow my upcoming posts to learn more about this topic.
Take care of yourself!
