What Is PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)?
PCOS refers to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. This is a condition in which a
woman experiences the growth of a number of cysts on the ovaries, and will
experience hormonal irregularities that can interfere with fertility and
cause other problems.
As with many other health concerns, genetics may be an important factor in
PCOS. Some research suggests that the female children of a woman with PCOS
have somewhere around a 50% chance of developing PCOS themselves.
Frequently, a woman who has PCOS will have a mother or a sister who also has
PCOS.
Other studies suggest an important link between PCOS and a variety of
hormonal changes. These can include:
- Androgens. Androgens are hormones that can cause a variety of problems,
such as hair appearing in odd places and acne, and it can also interfere
with the process of ovulation.
- Ovarian hormones. The hormones that trigger ovulation are an important
part of a woman's cycle. If these hormones are not at the correct levels,
the ovaries will not relapse an egg each month and ovulation will not occur.
- Insulin and blood sugar. Roughly 50% of the women who suffer from PCOS
will have difficulty with the way that there body uses insulin. This is
known as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance causes their blood sugar
levels to grow to dangerous levels. IN some instances, this can even lead
to diabetes.
The earliest symptoms of PCOS can be varied. For some women, the first
symptoms of PCOS are that they are having very few or even no periods. This
typically is measured by having less than 9 periods in a twelve month
timeframe. Some women with PCOS will have no period whatsoever. Some will
have regular periods, but may not ovulate every month, or at all. Another
early symptom of PCOS can be heavy and irregular vaginal bleeding. Around
one third of all women with PCOS will have some vaginal bleeding. Another
early symptom can be the loss of hair on the head, and growth of hair in
other places. More than two thirds of the women who have PCOS experience
hair loss or hair growth in unwanted places. For some women with PCOS, oily
skin and acne can be symptoms as well.
Later symptoms of PCOS that will typically develop gradually over time can
include:
- Infertility. This occurs when PCOS interferes with ovulation.
- Repeated miscarriages. The high insulin levels associated with PCOS can
sometimes be responsible for miscarriages. - Hyperinsulinemia, or too much insulin. This can lead to many of the
other symptoms. Signs of too much insulin can include weight gain in the
upper body, skin tags, and patches of dark skin on the neck, in the genital
area, or under the arm.
- Weight gain in the upper body. This weight gain would typically be
concentrated in the belly, as opposed to the hips.
- Sleep apnea or other sleeping problems.
- Chronic pelvic pain.
- High blood pressure.
There is no known cure for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). However,
there are certain treatments that are often used to address the symptoms of
PCOS. They symptoms of PCOS can include irregular or missing periods,
irregular ovulation, or anovulation, vaginal bleeding, loss of hair on the
head, and growth of hair in other places, oily skin and acne, Infertility,
Repeated miscarriages, Hyperinsulinemia, or too much insulin, Weight gain in
the upper body, Sleep apnea or other sleeping problems, Chronic pelvic pain,
and high blood pressure.
Some health care providers will recommend diabetic medications, such as
Metformin, to help the patient with PCOS. Also known as Glucophage, this
medication impacts the way that insulin regulates glucose, and it also helps
to cause a decrease in the production of testosterone. This can help
ovulation to return, and can also help to slow down the irregular hair
growth.
Another possible treatment for PCOS, for the woman who doesn't want to get
pregnant, is birth control pills. The pill can help keep the menstrual
cycle regular, and it can also reduce the levels of male hormones. Birth
control pills may also help to clear acne.
Birth control pills are not always a good option, however. Many women who
have PCOS only discover that they have it because they are trying to
conceive. In these cases, Clomid or other fertility medications may be used
to help the woman's ovulatory cycle stabilize. These medications may help
control other side effects, as well.
There are medications available that will also help with the extra male
hormones present in the woman's systems. Spironolactone is a medication
that is typically used for blood pressure, but is also known to help reduce
hair growth. Some research suggests that Propecia, a medication used by men
to combat hair loss, can also help with unwanted hair.
There are surgical options for the woman with PCOS as well. A process known
as "ovarian drilling" is sometimes used to help start ovulation. This
laparoscopic procedure is fairly non-invasive, but does carry certain risks
and is not a permanent solution.
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