Polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common in women of childbearing age. The key hormones altered in PCOS are progesterone, androgens, and insulin.
Progesterone is a hormone found in women, women with PCOS do not have enough of this hormone, as such they experience an irregular menstrual cycle.
Androgens are male hormones that are present minimally in women. Women with PCOS tend to have them in higher amounts. When ovulation does not occur, the ovaries can develop many small cysts. These cysts then produce androgens.
Insulin is responsible for helping cells have access to blood sugar for energy. However, in PCOS your body produces too much insulin which affects the ability of the ovaries to release eggs.
PCOS symptoms may include:
1. Hirsutism, that is, hair growth in unusual body parts like the face and chest
Infertility, women with mild symptoms might not know this until they want children,
2. Thinning hair
3. Excess skin tags on the neck and armpits
4. Irregular, missed periods
5. Weight gain
6. Oily skin and acne
7. Pelvic pain
8. Depression
9. Irregular or missed periods is one symptom that calls for concern and gets women to want to find answers as other symptoms are related to other conditions as well.
An ultrasound test is carried out to ascertain the size of the ovaries and if they contain cysts.
A blood test is also carried out to confirm high levels of hormones in your body. Then other conditions can be ruled out.
Complications with PCOS include Type 2 diabetes, endometrial cancer, and high blood pressure.
The exact cause is unknown but can be influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
Treatment depends on age, the severity of symptoms, and prospects of having kids in the future.
If you are not ready to have kids at the moment, you may be given birth control pills by your doctor to help regulate your period. Some diabetes drugs may also be prescribed to you to help lower your male hormone.
Drugs may also be prescribed to treat other symptoms such as acne.
For women who want to have kids, infertility treatment is done. Drugs that help to boost ovulation are prescribed.
Exercise is recommended, this helps you keeps your weight in check. Also, a change in diet is required as certain food will affect your blood sugar spiking up the levels of insulin.
With treatment, many women with polycystic ovarian syndrome can have children. It can be a very emotional process but early treatment will reduce complications such as Type 2 diabetes, uterine cancer, and high blood pressure.
