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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, PCOS, is a health problem in which a female’s level of progesterone and estrogen are imbalanced, leading to ovarian cysts. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome causes problems with women fertility, menstrual cycle, cardiac activities and general appearance.

Causes of PCOS

The exact cause of PCOS is still not known. However doctors believe genetics and hormonal imbalances might play a role. Most women are likely to develop PCOS if their sister or mother have the condition.

A common contributing factor is excessive production of androgen hormone. Androgen, a male sex hormone that is also found in female body, but in low quantity. Females with PCOS tend to overproduce androgen which can affect the process of ovulation.

High levels of insulin is also thought to cause PCOS. Insulin is a hormone responsible for conversion of food to energy. Insulin resistance occurs when the body responds abnormally to insulin, leading to high insulin levels in blood. Most females with PCOS have high insulin resistance especially if they are the obese, have poor eating habits or have a family history of type 2 diabetes.

Typical PCOS symptoms

The symptoms show up as soon as a woman starts her menstruation. Symptoms type and severity vary from female to female. The most common symptom is;

Irregular menstrual cycle: females with PCOS often miss their periods or tend to have fewer(less than eight periods per year). Also, their periods might come after every 21-days or more often than usual. Some might also stop having their menstrual cycles completely.

Other Symptoms are;

• Acne: mostly on the face, upper-back and chest.
• Hirsutism: this is a condition whereby females with PCOS grow too much hair on chin, face and other body parts where men usually have hair. 70% of women with PCOS are affected by Hirsutism.
• Thinning hair: male-like baldness, excessive hair loss on scalp.
• Skin tags: excessive small skin flapping around the neck and armpits.
• Skin darkening: especially in area around the groin, neck and breasts.
• Weight gain
• Infertility
• Pelvic pain
• Reduction of breast size
• Deep voice and
• depression or anxiety

PCOS Diagnosis

There are no specific tests for PCOS. The doctor will have to review your medical history and check the symptoms. Thereafter a physical and pelvic examination will be performed to check if there are signs of swollen clitoris or ovaries.

• Further diagnosis might include ;
• Blood tests to check hormone levels.
• Lipid tests to determine blood cholesterol level.
• Thyroid tests to assess the amount of thyroid hormone produced by your body
• Pelvic laparoscopy and Vaginal ultra sound for real time images of the reproductive system.

PCOS Treatment

PCOS cannot be cured and treatment focuses on managing and controlling the symptoms to prevent more complications. Depending on specific symptoms, treatment varies from female to female.

• Women with PCOS are advised to exercise regularly and have a healthy diet, especially the obese/overweight. This will help to lower blood sugar levels and regulate their menstrual cycle.
• Birth control pills can be prescribed to regulate the menstrual cycle, treat acne and reduce male hormones like testosterone.
• Ovarian drilling can be conducted to destroy excess ovarian cysts
• Anti-androgens can be administered to lower male hormones , treating acne and stopping excessive hair growth
• Diabetes medication prescription to lower blood glucose levels.
• Infertility poses certain challenges but you can hope to fulfil your desire of having a baby in consultation with fertility specialist-treatment differ from woman to woman so let your doctor decide what is best for you

If you have any queries regarding PCOS please contact  (+91) – 8805577600

Tags: Womens Health, Womens Health care