Adrenal PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, may affect up to 20 percent of all women, although an estimated 70 percent of women with PCOS may be undiagnosed (1). Most individuals with PCOS present with a primary cause of insulin resistance. However, a smaller group of women go undiagnosed likely because they present with a lesser known cause referred to as adrenal PCOS. 

In this article, we’ll explain adrenal PCOS, how to test for it, and how to treat adrenal PCOS with a root cause approach.

You have two adrenal glands that sit on top of each kidney and produce stress hormones, like cortisol and adrenaline, and sex hormones like DHEA and testosterone. Stress, whether emotional or physical, causes your adrenal glands to release more cortisol, which inadvertently also increases DHEA-S levels. DHEA-S is an androgen, like testosterone, but is only produced by the adrenal glands. Between 20 to 30 percent of patients with PCOS have high DHEA-S levels (2). Cortisol and DHEA-S disrupt the balance of other hormones in your body that lead to PCOS symptoms like irregular periods, acne, and unwanted hair growth or hair loss.

Most women with PCOS have a root cause of insulin resistance and high testosterone levels. However, DHEA-S is often the only androgen found to be elevated on bloodwork in women with PCOS with an adrenal gland root cause.

Once PCOS is suspected, we dive deeper into finding the root cause by ordering labs to evaluate insulin resistance (fasting glucose, fasting insulin, hemoglobin a1c) and androgens (total testosterone and DHEA-S). For ideal ranges of these labs, refer to our article on PCOS and insulin resistance. If your labs for insulin resistance and testosterone appear within normal limits, look at your DHEA-S levels. Oftentimes, women with adrenal PCOS only present with high DHEA-S levels. We order these labs on many of our members, and may order additional saliva cortisol testing if appropriate.

You can test for Adrenal PCOS and other root causes using our PCOS lab panel, available to be drawn nationwide at Quest labs. When you order directly from Root, Root doctors will share insights on your results.

The main focus for treating adrenal PCOS is to balance cortisol and reduce DHEA-S levels to within normal limits and encourage healthy hormones and regular periods. Here are a few interventions we may recommend for someone with adrenal PCOS:

Sleep loss has significant health consequences, especially for individuals with adrenal PCOS. For example, poor sleep can increase cortisol levels (3). A simple yet profound intervention you can start today is to aim for seven to eight hours of sleep every night. Reduce sleep disruptors, like alcohol, close to bedtime and avoid drinking caffeine after 1pm. Try establishing a regular bedtime routine and avoiding electronic screens too close to bedtime. Supplementing with magnesium helps many of our members achieve more restful sleep as well.

The foods you eat are important in adrenal PCOS too. Aim to eat a colorful diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, lean protein, and whole grains. Blood sugar fluctuations are a physical stressor that may increase cortisol levels. Prevent dramatic blood sugar fluctuations by increasing fiber in your diet, following “PFC” meal guidelines and including a protein, fat, and complex carbohydrate with each meal and snack. Learn more about planning PCOS meals.

Adrenal PCOS is a subtype of PCOS that is caused by high levels of DHEA-S and/or cortisol. Women with this type of PCOS may have normal testosterone and insulin resistance markers and only present with high DHEA-S levels.

Key interventions to treat adrenal PCOS include prioritizing healthy sleep and stress management, eating an anti-inflammatory diet, and considering supplements that may reduce DHEA-S, like resveratrol.
 
We treat Adrenal PCOS in our functional medicine membership program.