Question from Alexandria, Virginia, USA:

During my first three years of college, my menstrual cycle was regular, but then all of the sudden, it became very irregular. I remember I could go months at a time without having one. I spoke to my gynecologist who attributed it to stress (school and other things), so I was okay with that answer. However, during an annual checkup while in graduate school, I mentioned that I had not had a cycle in six months which I was still attributing it to stress. The doctor then told me that it was possible that I had PCOS. I had two blood tests and a pelvic sonogram, which were normal, except for low levels of estrogen. On top of that, I have more hairs which indicates that something is off. So she suggested that I would need to take birth control pills to regulate everything.

I did some research of my own and came across the implications of PCOS, type�2 diabetes, and insulin resistance. My research has indicated the having low levels of estrogen may possibly be a sign of insulin resistance. I am worried because my dad has type 2 diabetes, and I just seem to inherit all his genetic traits.

To combat this, I have been on a weight loss program since I am hoping that my massive weight gain has attributed to my irregular cycles and once I lose it I will be okay.

I have a few questions:

Is there truly a direct correlation between low estrogen levels and insulin resistance/ pre-diabetes?
With my blood tests, would they have noticed any insulin problems?
If not, where can I go to get a relatively cheap screening?

I am just confused and trying to figure things out!