|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
What
is PCOS?
PCOS
or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a health condition that
affects women’s menstrual cycle, hormones, fertility,
and physical appearance. It is estimated that five to ten
percent of women have PCOS. PCOS is one of the leading causes
of infertility in women. Some of the characteristics of PCOS
are irregular periods, abnormal levels of male hormones, and
having many cysts on the ovaries. Poly means many and cystic
means cysts, thus the name Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
|
|
| |
advertisement
|
|
| |
What
are the symptoms of PCOS?
- Infrequent
or irregular menstrual cycles
-
Lack
of ovulation/ Infertility
- Increased
hair growth on face, back, chest, or toes
- Obesity,
particularly weight around the waist (apple shaped body)
- Male
pattern baldness or thinning hair
- Type
Two Diabetes
- Elevated
insulin levels or insulin resistance
- High
Cholesterol
- Many
cysts on the ovaries
- Acne
- Pelvic
pain/ PMS
What
causes PCOS?
We
have not discovered what causes PCOS. Some women do have other
family members with PCOS but we have not discovered a genetic
link to PCOS. There seems to be a relationship between obesity
and PCOS. PCOS researchers are looking at the link between
insulin production and PCOS. Some women with PCOS produce
too much insulin. The insulin in their body does not work
properly so their body has to produce more to control blood
sugar. Researchers believe there is a link between insulin
production and PCOS. Because these women are producing too
much insulin, this in turn, causes their bodies to produce
excess testosterone. The extra testosterone results in facial
hair, acne, and cysts on the ovaries.
How
is PCOS diagnosed?
Diagnosis
is generally made based on three observations, physical appearance,
hormone testing, and ultrasound observations. There is no
single test to diagnose PCOS. Your doctor may, perform a physical
exam, review your medical history, check your hormone levels
and glucose levels, or perform an ultrasound to look for possible
cysts on the ovaries.
PCOS
Treatment
- Birth
Control Pills – For women that are not
trying to conceive, birth control pills will help regulate
the menstrual cycle, help reduce male hormones, and help
with skin’s complexion and acne.
- Diabetes
medications such as Metformin (or Glucophage)
– Metformin affects the way the body responds to
insulin. It helps to make the insulin you have work better,
it does not actually lower blood sugar itself. Metformin
helps improve the way your body uses insulin so that it
does not need to produce as much to control your blood
sugar. Because insulin levels are reduced, male hormone
production decreases as well. With this decrease in androgens
women may see improvement in male hair growth and ovulation
may return.
- Fertility
Medications such as Clomid - Fertility medications
may be used to induce ovulation.
- Anti-androgen
medications such as Spironolactone - For women
that are not trying to get pregnant, anti-androgens may
be effective in treating skin conditions or excessive
hair growth.
- Weight
Loss – Obesity is linked to PCOS. Losing
weight may help improve insulin regulation and glucose
levels. However, because insulin regulation may be a factor
in weight control, losing weight may be difficult.
- Surgery
– If other methods of PCOS treatment do not work,
your doctor may suggest ovarian drilling. This is not
done as a first response to PCOS but sometimes used if
other methods do not work. Ovarian drilling is done by
inserting a small telescope into the abdomen. Small holes
are drilled into the ovary with an electrosurgical needle.
This procedure destroys a small portion of the ovary,
which may reduce androgen levels and bring about ovulation.
|
Other articles you may like |
|
Breast
Self Exam
Learn how to perform a breast self exam
Endometriosis
Endometriosis occurs when there is endometrial tissue
outside of the endometrial cavity.
Overactive
Bladder
Overactive bladder, also known as urge incontinence,
occurs in women more than men.
|
| |
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
