Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

  • 28 Sep - 04 Oct, 2019
  • Mag The Weekly
  • FITNESS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects one in 10 women of childbearing age. Women with PCOS have a hormonal imbalance and metabolism problems that may affect their overall health, appearance and fertility. Polycystic ovaries contain a large number of harmless follicles that are up to 8mm in size. The follicles are underdeveloped sacs in which eggs develop. In PCOS, these sacs are often unable to release an egg, which means ovulation does not take place. It's difficult to know exactly how many women have PCOS, but it's thought to be very common. More than half of these women do not have any symptoms.

Symptoms

If you have signs and symptoms of PCOS, they usually surface during your late teens or early 20s. Sometimes PCOS develops later, for example, in response to substantial weight gain. Signs and symptoms of PCOS vary from woman to woman. A diagnosis is made when you experience at least two of the following signs: (a) infrequent, irregular or prolonged monthly cycles (b) elevated levels of male hormone may result in excessive facial and body hair, and occasionally severe acne and male-pattern baldness and (c) the ovaries might be enlarged and contain follicles that surround the eggs, failing to function regularly. PCOS signs and symptoms are typically more severe if you're obese.

Causes

The exact cause of PCOS is not known. Factors that might play a role including excess insulin, the hormone produced in the pancreas that allows cells to use sugar, your body's primary energy supply. If your cells become resistant to the action of insulin, then your blood sugar levels can rise and your body might produce more insulin. According to research, women with PCOS have a type of low-grade inflammation that stimulates polycystic ovaries to produce androgens, which can lead to heart and blood vessel problems. The ovaries produce abnormally high levels of androgen, resulting in hirsutism and acne. It can also be hereditary.

Complications

Dealing with PCOS can be very emotionally and physically taxing and the complications that come with it can vary in severity. To name a few, there can be complications in relation to fertility, gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure or premature birth. Patients have also been recorded to suffer from a severe liver inflammation caused by fat accumulation in the liver. PCOS also leads to type two diabetes, pre-diabetes, sleep apnea, depression, eating disorders or endometrial cancer. Obesity is associated with PCOS and can worsen complications of the disorder.

Treatment

PCOS treatment focuses on managing your individual concerns, such as infertility, hirsutism, acne or obesity and can be managed with specific treatment and lifestyle changes.

• Lifestyle changes: If you have PCOS and you're overweight, losing weight and eating a healthy, balanced diet can make some symptoms better. Losing weight may also increase the effectiveness of medications your doctor recommends for PCOS, and can help with infertility.

• Medications: Medications are also available to treat symptoms such as excessive hair growth, irregular cycle and fertility problems. Taking estrogen and progestin daily can restore a normal hormone balance, regulate ovulation, relieve symptoms like excessive hair growth, and protect against endometrial cancer.

• Surgery: If fertility medications are not effective, a simple surgical procedure called laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) may be recommended. This involves using heat or a laser to destroy the tissue in the ovaries that's producing androgens. Electrolysis is also performed to help remove hair from the hair or body. A tiny needle is inserted into each hair follicle. The needle emits a pulse of electric current to damage and eventually destroy the follicle. You might need multiple sittings for effective results.

Lifestyle and home remedies

Maintain a healthy weight: Weight loss can reduce insulin and androgen levels and may restore ovulation. Losing just five to 10 per cent of your body weight can help regulate your monthly cycle and improve PCOS symptoms. Ask your doctor about a weight-control program, and meet regularly with a dietitian for help in reaching weight-loss goals.

Limit carbohydrates: Low-fat, high-carbohydrate diets might increase insulin levels. Ask your doctor about a low-carbohydrate diet if you have PCOS. Choose complex carbohydrates, which raise your blood sugar levels more slowly.

Be active: Exercise helps lower blood sugar levels. If you have PCOS, increasing your daily activity and participating in a regular exercise program may treat or even prevent insulin resistance and help you keep your weight under control and avoid developing diabetes.

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