POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME(PCOS)

POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME(PCOS)

DESCRIPTION

Most common hormone disorder in women of the reproductive age, it causes female infertility.

According to the name it means multiple cysts cover each ovary but not all women develop this symptom.

CAUSE No exact cause is known. Factors likely to play a role in PCOS:

1. Heredity- If your mother or sister has it then you are more likely to have it

2. Insulin- Many women with PCOS are insulin resistant which means their pancreas must secrete excess insulin in order to produce enough glucose for cells. This excess insulin increases the production of androgens.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Acne Weight gain Excess facial & body hair Thinning hair on the scalp Acanthosis nigricans (darkened, velvety skin on neck, armpits, & thighs)

Irregular periods Infertility

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES

Doctors look for two of the following:1. Menstrual Abnormality- menstrual intervals longer than 35 days, fewer than 8 cycles a year, failure to menstruate for 4 months or longer, or prolonged periods. 2. Polycystic Ovaries- enlarged ovaries containing numerous small cysts can be detected by ultrasound.

DIAGNOSTIC PROCEDURES3. Excess Androgen- Androgen

is a male hormone that is produced in the ovaries. High levels of this affect the development and release of eggs. Physical signs (excess hair, acne, balding) are results of increased androgen and blood tests can also determine these levels.

TREATMENT There is no known cure so treatment includes managing specific symptoms to aid individual concerns.

Some treatments include:1. Lifestyle Adjustment- eating healthy and exercising helps to lose weight which with a 10% loss of body weight can make your cycle more regular. 2. Birth Control Pills- for women who don’t want to become pregnant they can take these to control their cycle and decrease male hormone levels.

TREATMENT3. Diabetes Medication- metformin is

used to treat type 2 diabetes but as also been showed to lower testosterone production.

4. Fertility Medication- clomiphine and gonadotropins are two choices of medication that can help stimulate ovulation.

5. Surgery- known as “ovarian drilling” where the doctor punctures the ovary with a small needle carrying an electric current to destroy a small part of the ovary, it can lower male hormone levels and help ovulation.

PROGNOSIS

Having PCOS increases the likelihood of these conditions:

Type 2 DiabetesHigh Blood PressureAbnormal Uterine BleedingEndometrial Cancer (cancer of the uterine lining)

Cardiovascular Disease

PREVENTION

There is no known way to prevent PCOS but once you’re diagnosed with it it’s very important to follow your individual treatments to help reduce the risks of future complications.

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