Polycystic ovary syndrome refers to a hormonal disorder that occurs in women during their reproductive age. Women with this syndrome experience prolonged or infrequent menstrual periods. These women have high levels of male hormone (androgen).
Ovaries develop many small fluid collections or follicles and lose the ability to release eggs normally. Researchers have not yet discovered the main cause of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Early diagnose of PCOS and proper treatment can reduce the risk of having long-term complications. The example of complications are heart diseases and type 2 diabetes. Weight loss makes the treatment effective.
Symptoms
Symptoms of PCOS start developing when females get their first menstrual period during the age of puberty. They may also develop in women later such as in response to weight gain.
Signs and symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome can vary. When you experience two of the given signs then its diagnoses can be made easily.
- Irregular Periods
Irregular, prolonged, or infrequent menstrual cycles are the common signs of polycystic ovary syndrome. For example, you may have experienced less than nine periods in one year or 35 above days between your periods and abnormally heavy menstruation.
- Excessive Androgen
Excessive males hormones can induce physical signs like excess hair on the face and body (hirsutism), male-pattern baldness, and severe acne.
- Polycystic Ovaries
Your ovaries might contain follicles that surround the area of eggs. The size of ovaries become increased. As a result, ovaries do not perform normal functions. If you are obese, then the signs and symptoms of PCOS become more severe.
When Should You Visit A Gynecologist?
If are concerned about your menstruation then see a doctor when you experience infertility. Contact the doctor if you have symptoms of excess androgen such as acne, worsening hirsutism, and male-pattern baldness.
Causes Of PCOS
There is no confirmed exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome. Factors that contribute to this disease are given below.
Excess Insulin
Insulin is a kind of hormone produced in the region of the pancreas. It allows the cells to utilize sugar that is the primary energy supply of your body. If your body cells resist insulin actions then sugar levels become high and you might start producing more amounts of insulin.
Greater insulin increases the production of androgen. It causes problems with ovulation.
Low-Grade Inflammation
This term denoted white blood cells that produce substances to fight different infections. Research revealed that women who suffer PCOS have low-grade inflammation.
It stimulates the production of androgen by polycystic ovaries. The greater production of androgen creates issues of blood vessels and heart in females.
Heredity
Research suggested that specific genes are associated with PCOS.
Excess Androgen
Polycystic ovaries start producing higher levels of androgen that cause acne and hirsutism.
Complications
Following are the complications that PCOS can produce.
- Premature birth or miscarriage
- Infertility
- Pregnancy-induced high blood or gestational diabetes
- Eating disorders, anxiety, or depression
- Sleep apnea
- Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes
- Abnormal uterine bleeding
- Uterine lining cancer (endometrial cancer)
- Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a chronic inflammation caused by the accumulation of fat in the liver region
- Metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure, abnormal levels of cholesterol or triglycerides which leads to cardiovascular diseases
Risks For PCOS
You may develop PCOS if your sister or mother is suffering from it. If you are obese or insulin-resistant then you are at higher risk of developing PCOS.
Diagnosis Of PCOS
Health care providers ask you to provide your medical history. They also ask you to explain the symptoms. You will go through a physical exam for PCOS. It will likely have a pelvic exam too. In this exam, doctors examine the health of reproductive organs from inside and outside of your body.
Some other health problems also cause similar symptoms of PCOS. That is the reason you may go through the following tests.
Ultrasound
Soundwaves and computers are used in this procedure to create images of organs, tissues, and blood vessels. Doctors examine the size of ovaries in this procedure and whether the cysts are present in your ovaries or not. This test also shows the thickness of the uterus lining.
Blood Tests
Doctors examine high levels of certain hormones and androgen in these tests. They also check the level of blood glucose in this test. Your health care provider also checks the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood tests.
