Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition
where at least two of the following occur, and often all three:
- At least 12
follicles (tiny cysts) develop in your ovaries.
- Changes in
the hormone balance in the ovaries like more testosterone (male hormone)
- No ovulation.
If you do not ovulate then you do not have a period.
You could have polycystic ovaries without the above
symptoms furthermore you could have PCOS without multiple cysts in the ovary.
1 in 4 young women have polycystic ovaries
Causes polycystic ovary syndrome
The real cause is not clear. Several factors might
contribute. These include
Insulin
It is mainly control your blood sugar and act
on the ovaries to cause them to produce testosterone (male hormone).but women
with PCOS have insulin resistance so the cells in the body are resistant to the
effect of a normal level of insulin. This will raise the level of insulin in
the blood which causes the ovaries to make too much testosterone. A high level
of insulin and testosterone interfere with the normal development of follicles
in the ovaries. More testosterone level in the blood causes excess hair growth
on the body and thinning of the scalp hair.
More insulin leads to weight gain.
Luteinising hormone (LH)
This hormone is made in the pituitary gland. It causes
more testosterone production.
Genetic factors
Weight
More weight increases insulin resistance
What
are the symptoms and problems?
Symptoms that occur if you do not ovulate
- You may
have light periods, irregular or no periods at all.
- You may not
ovulate each month, and some women with PCOS do not ovulate at all which causes
infertility.
Symptoms due to high testosterone:
- Excess hair
growth mainly on the face, lower abdomen, and chest. This is the
only symptom in some cases.
- Acne may persist beyond the normal teenage years.
- Thinning of
scalp hair (similar to male pattern baldness) occurs in some
cases.
Other symptoms
- Weight gain
- Poor
self-esteem may develop as a result of the other symptoms like obesity
Effects
of PCOS on general health:
· Type 2 diabetes
· Diabetes in
pregnancy,
· High cholesterol
level
· High blood pressure.
· Possible cancer of
the uterus (womb).
· Sleep apnoea.
What
tests I need?
Your doctor might
send you for:
- Blood test to
measure certain hormones. as testosterone and LH
- Ultrasound
scan of the ovaries
- Blood sugar, cholesterol especially if you are overweight.
Treatment
for polycystic ovary syndrome
Generally healthy
life style is very important in PCOS but no cure for PCOS. However,
symptoms can be treated, and your health risks can be reduced.
· Weight loss if you
are overweight to reduce the high insulin level that occurs in PCOS this will
increase your chance of you ovulating,
which may fix your period problems, fertility, hair growth and acne. You might
need a dietician consult
· Treating hair growth.
1) Shaving, waxing,
hair-removing creams, and laser treatments.
2) Oral drugs they reduce the amount of testosterone
that you make, or by blocking its effect. Drugs include:
o Diane35 birth control pills
o Yasmin birth
control pills
o Water pills.
· Treating acne: same
as regular acne. See your doctor to get the right treatment
· Treating period
problems :Exercise and weight loss might help but the main treatment is birth
control either pills or IUS
· Fertility issues
It depends
whether you ovulate or you don’t .Your doctor will monitor your period and choose the right treatment. You sometimes may
need a referral to a fertility center
Metformin
It makes the body's cells more sensitive to insulin.
In diabetic patients Metformin decreases appetite which may help in weight reduction.
