Can polycystic ovaries make you feel sick? (5+ reasons why you feel sick with PCOS)

By Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD) | Reviewed by Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)

Page last updated: 05/01/2024 | Next review date: 05/01/2026

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The contents of this article are fact-based except otherwise stated within the article.

Author bio

Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira is a Pharmacist and Doctor of Philosophy in Sciences from the University of São Paulo (USP). She has experience in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics. She writes and reviews content on these topics.

Dr Milena’s Highlights:

-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.

-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration in the areas of Pharmacometrics and Population Pharmacokinetics, 2018.

-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.

“Science can be translated, and it is essential that everyone has access to quality information to make informed decisions” – Dr Milena Oliveira, PhD.

Professional Experience:

With a decade-long career as a researcher, Dr Milena has amassed extensive experience in conducting research projects in microbiology, analytical toxicology, and clinical pharmacokinetics.

Her expertise also extends to the preparation of technical and scientific reports, literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific communication, both oral and written.

Dr Milena has served as a Clinical Pharmacist, providing expert supervision and guidance to teams during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in the ICUs of two reference hospitals for patient hospitalization.

In her most recent role, Dr Milena worked on the implementation of the deliberatives of the São Paulo State Government Pharmaceutical Assistance Coordination. These decisions were aimed at ensuring medication access within the Unified Health System.

A widely multidisciplinary background enabled Dr Milena to become a professional capable of integrating scientific knowledge into private initiatives, education, and healthcare, delivering consistent services in patient safety and population health.

Professional Memberships & Affiliations:

Dr Milena Oliveira is a member of the Regional Council of Pharmacy of the State of São Paulo, Brazil.

Education:

-PhD in Sciences, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2019.

-University College London (UCL) – Semester of remote collaboration, 2018.

-Bachelor in Biochemical Pharmacy, University of São Paulo, Brazil, 2013.

Relevant Published Work & Citations:

Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, Nardotto GHB, Pippa LF, Simões BP, Lanchote VL. Analysis of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in plasma and urine with application in the evaluation of total, renal and metabolic formation clearances in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. Nov 2020. 191:113-124.

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Abstracts. CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology. 2020 Nov; 9 (S1).

Pippa LF, Oliveira ML de, Rocha A, de Andrade JM, Lanchote VL. Total, renal and hepatic clearances of doxorubicin and formation clearance of doxorubicinol in patients with breast cancer: Estimation of doxorubicin hepatic extraction ratio. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biomedical Analysis. 2020 Jun 5; 185:113-231.

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Godoy ALPC, De Jesus C, De Oliveira ML, Rocha A, Pereira MPM, Larangeira DF, Lanchote VL, Barrouin-Melo SM. Determination of Allopurinol and Oxypurinol in Dogs Plasma by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography with an Ultraviolet Detector: Application for Pharmacokinetic Studies. J Chromatogr Sep Tech. 2017; 8 (4).

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Clímaco EC, Oliveira ML de, Pitondo-Silva A, Oliveira MG, Medeiros M, Lincopan N, et al. Clonal complexes 104, 109 and 113 playing a major role in the dissemination of OXA-carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in Southeast Brazil. Infection, Genetics and Evolution. 2013 Oct;19:127–33.

Conference Papers:

Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B.; PIPPA, L. F.; ROCHA, A.; SIMOES, B. P.; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Daunorubicin metabolism and urinary excretion in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 84th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology (DGPT) and the 20th Annual Meeting of the Association of the Clinical Pharmacology Germany (VKliPha), 2018, Göttingen. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s Arch Pharmacol, 2018. v. 391. p. S76-S76.

Oliveira, M. L.; NARDOTTO, G. H. B. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . The low contribution of urinary excretion in the elimination of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in patients with acute myeloid leukemia. In: 49th Brazilian Congress of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics., 2017, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2017. p. 64-64.

Oliveira, M. L.; PIPPA, L. F. ; ROCHA, A. ; SIMOES, B. P. ; LANCHOTE, V. L. . Quantification of daunorubicin and its metabolite daunorubicinol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS. In: I International Meeting of Environmental Health and Toxicology (IMEHTOX), 2016, Ribeirão Preto. Livro de Resumos, 2016.

Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. . PFGE typing of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from different University Hospitals. In: V International Postgraduate and Research Symposium, 2012.

Clímaco, E.C. ; SILVA, A. P. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Lincopan, N. ; Darini A.L.C. Relação clonal entre linhagens de Acinetobacter baumannii produtoras de carbapenemases da família OXA em quatro hospitais no Brasil. In: XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012, Santos. XXI Latin American Congress of Microbiology, 2012.

Oliveira, M. L.; Clímaco, E.C. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Dissemintion of OXA carbapenemases genes in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in University Hospital of Juiz de Fora, MG. In: 8th CIFARP – International Congress of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2011, Ribeirão Preto.

Clímaco, E.C. ; Oliveira, M. L. ; OLIVEIRA, M. G. ; Darini A.L.C. . Avaliação do sequenciamento parcial do gene rpoB e de seus flanqueadores para identificação de espécies de Acinetobacter na rotina laroratorial. In: 2° International Symposium on Clinical Microbiology, 2010, Florianópolis.

You can view some of Dr Milena’s work below and links to her professional profile.

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dra-milena-locci-de-oliveira-28986042/?locale=en_US

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Milena-Oliveira-6

Escavador: https://www.escavador.com/sobre/5394254/milena-locci-de-oliveira

Lattes: https://buscatextual.cnpq.br/buscatextual/busca.do

Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=57199779361

Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?view_op=list_works&hl=pt-BR&user=1YUBDIQAAAAJ

Dr Milena Locci de Oliveira (PhD)

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Reviewer bio

Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes PhD is a Pharmacist with expertise in Drugs Administration and Toxicity; Discovery of New Drugs; Cancer Treatment; Biochemical Analyzes and Hematological Analyzes. She writes and reviews content on these topics.

Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes’ Highlights:

Pharmacist at the Department of Health of Santa Catarina State, Brazil
PhD with a focus on oncology treatment
Years of experience in commercial pharmacy
Bachelor, Master and PhD degrees in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina

Professional Experience:

From her undergraduate studies to her Master’s and Doctorate degrees in Pharmacy, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has participated in numerous scientific studies in the field of oncology and onco-hematology at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil. Her research has focused on understanding the molecular and biochemical bases of malignant neoplasms and investigating safer and more effective therapeutic alternatives.

Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes has also served as an assistant professor of haematology for undergraduate students at the Federal University of Santa Catarina. Additionally, she held the position of professor of Hospital Pharmacy at the Qualificar Technical School in Brazil, where she developed instructional materials for use in the Pharmacy Postgraduate Program at the Leonardo Da Vinci University Center.

In addition to her academic experiences, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes possesses a strong expertise in commercial pharmacy, with in-depth knowledge of medications, their routes of administration, desired effects, adverse effects, and toxicity.

Currently, Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes works as a Pharmacist at the Health Department of Santa Catarina State, where her role entails providing pharmaceutical scientific consulting services to judges.

Education:

2016 Bachelor in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
2018 Master in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil
2023 PhD in Pharmacy at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, Brazil

The main publications of Dr Natália Marcéli Stephanes are:

Falchetti M ; Delgobo M, Zancanaro H, Almeida K, Das Neves RN, Dos Santos B, Stefanes NM, et al. Bishop Omics-based identification of an NRF2-related auranofin resistance signature in cancer: Insights into drug repurposing. Comput. Biol. Med [Internet]. 2023; 152:106347.

Feuser PM, Matos dos Santos PC, Cordeiro AP, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Maioral MF, Santos-Silva MC, et al. Antineoplastic activity of free 4-nitrochalcone and encapsulated in poly(thioether-ester) nanoparticles obtained by thiol-ene polymerization in two human leukemia cell lines (Jurkat and K562). J Drug Deliv Sci Technol [Internet]. 2022; 67:102924.

Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Walter LO, Perondi DM, Efe FL, Souza LFS, Sens L, et al. Synthesis of chalcones derived from 1-naphthylacetophenone and evaluation of their cytotoxic and apoptotic effects in acute leukemia cell lines. Bioorg. Chem [Internet]. 2021; 116:105315.

Duarte BF, Vieira DSC, Lisboa ML, Stefanes NM, Grando LJ, Santos-Silva MC. Características clínico-epidemiológicas de pacientes portadores de carcinoma de células escamosas de boca. Arquivos Catarinenses de Medicina. 2021; 50(2): 232–245.

Machado V, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Santos-Silva MC, Biavatti MW. Anti-leukemic activity of semisynthetic derivatives of Lupeol. Nat. Prod. Res. 2021; 35(22):4494-4501.

Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Yunes RA, et al. A novel sulfonamide derivative as a strong and selective apoptotic agent against hematological malignancies. Chem. Pap. 2020; 74:2965–2976.

Bigolin A, Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Cytotoxic mechanisms of primin, a natural quinone isolated from Eugenia hiemalis, on hematological cancer cell lines. Anticancer Drugs. 2020; 31(7):709-717.

Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Neufeldt PD, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Nunes RJ, Santos-Silva MC. Aldehyde biphenyl chalcones induce immunogenic apoptotic-like cell death and are promising new safe compounds against a wide range of hematologic cancers. Future Med. Chem. 2020; 12(8):673–688.

Perondi DM, Jacques AV, Stefanes NM, Maioral MF, Sens L, Pacheco LA, Cury NM, et al. A novel thiosemicarbazone as a promising effective and selective compound for acute leukemia. Anticancer Drugs. 2019; 30(8):p 828-837.

Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Argenta DF, Dotto MER, Santos-Silva MC, et al. PEO-chitosan nanofibers containing carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanoparticles loaded with pyrazoline for skin cancer treatment. Eur. Polym. J. 2019; 119:335-343.

Rengifo AFC, Stefanes NM, Toigo J, Mendes C, Santos-Silva MC, Nunes RJ, Parize AL, et al. A new and efficient carboxymethyl-hexanoyl chitosan/dodecyl sulfate nanocarrier for a pyrazoline with antileukemic activity. Mater. Sci. Eng. C [Internet]. 2019; 105:110051.

Maioral MF, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Zatelli GA, Philippus AC, Falkenberg MB, Santos-Silva MC. Miconidine acetate, a new selective and cytotoxic compound with synergic potential, induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in leukemia cells. Invest. New Drugs. 2019; 37:912–922.

Srefanes NM, Toigo J, Maioral MF, Jacques AV, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Perondi DM, Ribeiro AAB, et al. Synthesis of novel pyrazoline derivatives and the evaluation of death mechanisms involved in their antileukemic activity. Bioorg. Med. Chem. 2019; 27(2):375-382.

Maioral MF, Bodack CN, Stefanes NM, Bigolin A, Mascarello A, Chiaradia-Delatorre LD, Yunes RA, et al. Cytotoxic effect of a novel naphthylchalcone against multiple cancer cells focusing on hematologic malignancies. Biochim. 2017; 140:48-57.

You can view some of Dr Natália’s work below and links to her professional profile below.

Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Natalia-Stephanes

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliamarceli/

Dr Natalia Marceli Stephanes (PhD)

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This blog post will answer the question, “Can polycystic ovaries make you feel sick?”. Polycystic ovaries are one of the most common conditions among women you are in child bearing age.

This condition is associated with a lot of disturbing symptoms and this blog is all about that. We will cover the entire syndrome in detail.

Can polycystic ovaries make you feel sick?

Yes, polycystic ovaries can make you feel sick because it is an entire syndrome, and that’s what syndromes do, right? They make us feel sick and unwell.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterised with the increased amounts of androgen, which is a male sex hormone and is present in very minute quantities in women.

During this syndrome, the ovaries release this hormone abnormally and disrupt the normal physiological functions of women.

What are the symptoms associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is associated with a variety of symptoms, which include:

Menstrual cycle abnormalities

One of the most common symptoms and a major sign of PCOS is abnormal menstrual cycle. Women suffer from extreme premenstrual symptoms, right on time, but their actual cycle is delayed or even stopped.

In case of delayed periods, some women experience spotting or just drops of blood instead of proper flow. Some women, however, suffer from dysmenorrhea, a condition associated with abnormally increased bleeding with severe abdominal cramps.

If you suffer from such symptoms or your menstrual cycle just stops for 3 or more months, consult your gynaecologist as soon nas you can, for a proper diagnosis.

Changes in hormones

Hormonal changes are also pretty common. As discussed earlier, polycystic ovaries release abnormally high amounts of androgen, which is a male hormone. This hormone results in excessive hair growth in women, especially on the chin, like a beard in men.

The intensity of hair growth varies from woman to woman. The hormonal changes also cause excessive acne and mood swings, which are also considered as early diagnostic signs associated with PCOS.

Changes in weight

PCOS can increase the fat storing property of your body and may make you gain weight. This syndrome is common in women who are overweight and obese.

The weight gain caused by PCOS is associated with more fat deposition in certain areas of the body as compared to others. These parts include abdomen, thighs, hips, upper back and arms.

This syndrome also makes it difficult to lose weight as excessive hormonal disturbance can make it pretty hard for you to melt fat, especially in the above mentioned areas.

Changes in insulin levels

PCOS can cause insulin disturbances and cause the levels of this hormone to go high, which can put you at a risk of diabetes mellitus and other complications associated with it.

Make sure you keep monitoring your blood glucose levels and take all the necessary precautions to help prevent diabetes, as too much can cause desensitisation of its receptors and over time, they become unresponsive to this hormone.

Difficulty in getting pregnant

It is a known fact that polycystic ovaries can make it difficult for you to get pregnant as these affected ovaries are less likely to sustain pregnancy and the normal growth of the fetus.

Not only this, but polycystic ovaries are one of the most common reasons associated with miscarriages during first trimester.

Fatigue

Fatigue is also a symptom of polycystic ovaries. This syndrome can significantly lower down your energy levels and make daily life activities difficult for you. You may suffer from poor quality of sleep, inability to concentrate, irritability and nausea.

Binge eating

Binge eating is also one of the most common symptoms of PCOS. Several women have reported sweet craving and an urge to overeat. This can also result in weight gain and the consistent cravings make it difficult for you to shed those pounds.

Not just this, but binge eating can also contribute to insulin insensitivity. This is because the repeated intake of high sugar foods keeps rising your insulin levels, which gets exposed to its receptors for a long period of time.

This results in desensitisation of these receptors and they stop responding to insulin. This syndrome, however, varies from woman to woman.

Studies suggest that women who are already overweight or obese are more likely ti develop these craving as compared to women who are at their ideal body weight.

How is this condition diagnosed?

PCOS can be diagnosed with the help of pelvic ultrasound, blood tests or physical examination. Make sure you report to your gynaecologist as soon as you start noticing the above mentioned signs and symptoms.

The first basic sign is period disturbance, as the majority of women experience delayed periods or their cycle completely stops.

Excessive hair growth and acne is another common sign which alarms women as this clearly indicates some kind of hormonal disturbance and it doesn’t take too long to consider PCOS a possibility. Blood tests are also used to detect imbalances of the following hormones:

Androgen
Testosterone
Luteinizing hormone
Follicle stimulating hormone.
Estrogen
Androstenedione

What are the treatment options for Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?

Following are the treatment options for PCOS:

Metformin

Metformin is most commonly included in the treatment regimen of polycystic ovary syndrome. Although this medication is an Antidiabetic agent, it can still be used to help relieve some of the symptoms associated with PCOS.

It can decrease the effects of male hormones, help regulate your monthly menstrual cycle and can also reduce the incidence of diabetes caused by insulin resistance.

Some studies also suggest that this medication can help lose some of the weight that you could possibly have gained during your PCOS. However, this medicine is also associated with multiple side effects, just like every other medication on this planet. These include:

Fatigue
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Flatulence
Dizziness
Bacterial infections
Vitamin B12 deficiency
Lactic acidosis
Constipation
Bloating
Increased stomach acidity

Diane-35

Diane-35 is the combination of two medicines: cyproterone and ethinyl estradiol. It is an antiandrogen, and as the name indicates, it reverses the effects produced by this hormone. It can be used to treat acne and excessive hair growth in women with PCOS.

This medication, however, is not tolerated well by many women. Our survey revealed that women can suffer from Diane-35 associated side effects up to a year, even after the discontinuation of treatment. These side effects include:

Discoloration of skin/dark colored patches
Heart palpitations
Restlessness
Chest discomfort
Mood swings
Irritability
Loss of libido
Extreme premenstrual cramps
Itching or redness of eyes, which may cause inability to wear contact lenses
Nausea
Vomiting
Weight loss or gain
Swelling of lower extremities

Spironolactone

Spironolactone is a potassium sparing diuretic which can remove the excess water and sodium from the body. This medicine can be used to treat excessive hair growth in women living with polycystic ovaries.

It can also take your androgen levels down a notch. Spironolactone is associated with the following side effects:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea
Headache
Hyperkalemia (rare)
Hyponatremia
Dehydration
Abdominal pain
Lightheadedness associated with orthostatic (postural) hypotension

Healthy diet and eating patterns

Healthy diet is one of the best ways to help relieve the symptoms associated with PCOS. It not only helps you lose weight, but also keeps your energy levels high and boosts your immunity. Healthy eating patterns can also help keep those extra pounds at bay.

You can Intermittent fasting, which is a pattern of eating that involves a short term fasting period and an eating period. This way you can eat almost everything but only at the timing which is supposed to be your eating window.

Add seeds like flax seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds. Seeds are filled with good fats. They are a pretty good addition to a weight loss diet.

They are filled with protein, fibre, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and minerals like vitamin E, magnesium, folate, zinc and copper etc. Seeds are friendly when it comes to shedding a few pounds.

Mindful eating is also of great importance when you’re trying to cut back on consuming too much calories. Make sure you pay attention to what you’re eating and how much you’re eating.

Studies suggest that slow eating makes you eat less as compared to when you eat fastly and mindlessly. Breakfast is an extremely important meal of the day. Do not skip breakfast. Add protein rich foods like eggs, as proteins are the building blocks of your body.

They provide the right amount of fuel you need to start your day. Don’t forget to drink lots and lots of water. Water boosts your energy levels and it’s a calorie free beverage. Avoid drinking soda or energy drinks, which usually have high sugar content.

Sugar tends to make you lethargic. You can add fresh fruits in your water like berries, kiwi, oranges etc. You can also try adding cucumber, lemon, ginger in your detox water.

Exercise

Exercise is also an important part of PCOS treatment regimen. Make sure you work out the best way possible. Add cardio, strength training, yoga and stretching, all in your exercise regimen.

Don’t stick to one kind of workout session. If you’re running for an hour one day, try doing a 10-minute high intensity interval training (HIIT) session the next.

HIIT is known to burn equal amounts of calories as you burn while running on a treadmill for 50-minutes to an hour.

Conclusion

In this blog post, we have discussed how polycystic ovaries can make you feel sick. It is characterised with the increased amounts of androgen, which is a male sex hormone and is present in very minute quantities in women.

During this syndrome, the ovaries release this hormone abnormally and disrupt the normal physiological functions of women.

Make sure you seek medical help as soon as you can to prevent the exacerbation of your symptoms. We have also discussed several treatment options which can be used to treat this condition. Common meds include metformin, spironolactone, diane-35 etc.

Healthy eating habits and exercise are also considered best when it comes to keeping your PCOS symptoms, especially the weight gain, at bay.

FAQs: can polycystic ovaries make you feel sick

Can PCOS cause nausea and dizziness?

Yes PCOS may cause nausea and dizziness. The symptoms of this syndrome can vary from woman to woman. Make sure you talk to your healthcare provider for proper diagnosis.

What are the serious symptoms of PCOS?

Delayed or missed periods for more than 3 months
Gastrointestinal symptoms
Abdominal pain
Weight gain and inability to lose it
Excessive facial hair growth
Acne and pimples
Mood swings
Irritability
Depression and anxiety
Fatigue
Problems related to fertility
Insulin resistance
Hormonal disbalance

What kind of sickness is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterised with the increased amounts of androgen, which is a male sex hormone and is present in very minute quantities in women. During this syndrome, the ovaries release this hormone abnormally and disrupt the normal physiological functions of women.

Can polycystic ovaries make you tired?

Yes, polycystic ovaries can make you feel tired. Fatigue is a common symptom of polycystic ovaries. This syndrome can significantly lower down your energy levels and make daily life activities difficult for you. You may suffer from poor quality of sleep, inability to concentrate, irritability and nausea.

How can I get rid of my PCOS belly?