HPE1013: PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is also called hyper androgenic an ovulation (HA) or stein-leventhal syndrome is a set of symptoms due to a hormone imbalance in women. It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS is a common endocrine system disorder among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have enlarged ovaries that contain small collections of fluid called follicles which is located in each ovary seen during an ultrasound exam.

The cause of PCOS is unknown. The experts think that several factors, including genetics could be a play role. Women with PCOS are most likely to have a mother or sister with PCOS. A main underlying problem with PCOS is a hormonal imbalance. In women with PCOS, the ovaries make more androgens which are the male hormones. They start making slightly more androgens and may cause to stop ovulating, get acne, and grow extra facial body hair. Researches also think insulin may be linked to PCOS. Insulin is a hormone that controls the change of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body to use or store. Many women with PCOS have too much insulin in their bodies because they problems using it. Excess insulin appears to increase production of androgen.

The symtoms of PCOS is most of women start having irregular or infrequent periods within three or four years of starting to menstruate. About half the women affected by this condition also gain weight and have excessive hair growth to varying degrees. If you have PCOS, you may suffer from irregular or non-existent periods, very light or very heavy bleeding during your period, mild to moderate abdominal discomfort, excessive hair growth on your face, chest and lower abdomen, acne, infertile and overweight.

PCOS is treated when the doctor may give you some lifestyle advice, about weight control and exercise and will prescribe treatment based on how severe your symptoms are whether you want to have children or not. Women who do not want to get pregnant can use contraceptive pills or other drugs to correct hormone imbalances. Hormone treatments will regulate your menstrual cycle and may cut down on abnormal hair growth and acne. Your doctor may also prescribe creams that help control excess facial hair and creams or drugs to treat acne.

Drugs used in fertility treatment, such as clomifene, tamoxifen and gonadotrophins that can help women with PCOS who want to get pregnant. If you are overweight, your doctor will advise lifestyle changes before trying fertility drugs. Even a modest weight loss can help your insulin levels get nearer to normal and get ovulation going again, if it has stopped. Losing weight before you conceive can reduce your risk of developing gestational diabetes during
your pregnancy.

Surgery can help some women to conceive if they have not responded to fertility drugs. The surgeon uses a technique called laparascopic ovarian drilling (LOD) to destroy the tissue on the ovaries that is producing testosterone. The effects are often temporary, but LOD can improve the hormone imbalance and the ovulation cycle long enough for the women to conceive. LOD is as effective as a treatment for infertility as the fertility drug gonadotrophin, with the advantage that it does’nt increase the risk of multiple pregnancy.

Insulin-sensitising drugs (ISDs), such as metformin, are now being used by specialists as treatments for polycystic ovary syndrome. Many PCOS women who didn’t initially respond to a fertility drug responded to it after treatment with an insulin-promoting drug, but more evidence is needed that ISDs work before this treatment becomes widespread. Metformin is also sometimes used by specialists as a treatment for infertility in women PCOS, although the evidence that it really works is contradictory and it has some unpleasant side effects, such as nausea and vomiting.

You can't prevent PCOS, which is probably genetically inherited. Early diagnosis and treatment is the best way to control PCOS symptoms. If your periods are irregular or non-existent, see your doctor and use whatever prescribed medical treatments she suggests regulating your menstrual cycle. In addition, tell your doctor if you have any other unexpected symptoms. It is clear that weight is a significant trigger, and women with PCOS who are overweight can reverse their symptoms through weight loss.