Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS of the women’s most common causes of infertility. It is a health hassle common among women of reproductive age that is 15 years to 45 years old. This causes hormonal disorders among women, which results in many health issues, including infertility.
- Women with PCOS produce an excess amount of male hormones (androgen), which causes their bodies to have an irregular or prolonged menstrual period. It also causes excess hair growth, acne, weight gain, increased anxiety, depression, and infertility.
- There is also a chance that ovaries may develop many small collections of fluid called follicles and fail to release eggs, making it harder for women to get pregnant.
- Not every woman will have the same symptoms. But very few women display the same signs. However, it is curable and can be treated based on your symptoms.
So, if you and your partner have been looking to get pregnant for more than a year but failed, you need to schedule an appointment with your health practitioner.
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Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS
PCOS signs and symptoms may vary from patient to patient. A PCOS is diagnosed when you experience at least two signs as mentioned. The most common Symptoms of PCOS are as follows: –
Irregular Periods
It is the most important sign that everything is not well with your hormone. It is one of the most important symptoms of PCOS. Some women may have irregular or skipped periods, or some may not have a period at all. Some women may also have heavy bleeding during the periods. Some even have an issue with ovulation.
Excess Body Hair Growth
You may notice excessive hair growth on various body parts, including the chin, arms, legs, mouth, chest, and abdomen. This is because of the high androgen labels.
Pimple or Acne
Another symptom of PCOS is cystic acne which is more severe than general acne. These occur mostly on the sensitive areas of the skin, such as the face, chest, back, cheeks, and upper neck. These are more painful and get worse on the period onset.
Obesity
Patients with PCOS generally gain weight, especially around the shoulders, neck, and arms. And also have trouble losing the same.
Darkening and Thickening of Skin
PCOS can also lead to darkening and thickening of the skin. You will find dark skin patches, especially in the neck, armpits, elbows, or groin areas. Darkening and thicking of skin are also known as acanthosis nigricans.
Skin Tags
In this, small skin tags grow, especially around the armpits, neck, or groin. This is also known as Acrochordons.
Tiredness or Fatigue
Tiredness or Fatigue is another leading symptom of PCOS, which is caused due to imbalance of hormones. In this, women have an intense desire to sleep post lunch and have severe shales, sweating, muscle fatigue, and nervousness.
Stretch Marks
Despite being pregnant, you will notice stretch marks on your body parts. Usually, this appears around the abdomen, buttocks, thighs, and arms.
Depression
Mood swings can also be the cause of PCOS. You may feel anxiety, depression, or pain attacks.
Infertility
It is the most common cause of PCOS. Irregular periods with missed, heavy, or absent periods can cause infertility. It also affects ovulation.
Cysts
Many women sufferings from PCOS have many small cysts in their ovaries.
Who can get Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS?
After puberty, a woman can get PCOS. Most of them are diagnosed when trying to conceive but cannot achieve it. Women have a higher chance of getting PCOS if other people in their family have or are overweight or have obesity.
Cause of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS
The main cause of PCOS is not known. However, it can be genetic. There are several other reasons for causing PCOS, such as: –
1. High level of androgens
A higher level of a male hormone called androgens causes irregular periods as it does not allow the ovaries to release eggs. It also causes small cysts in the ovaries.
Androgens is also the cause of acne and excessive hair growth.
2. Insulin Resistance
An increase in insulin results in more male hormones, which suppresses ovulation and causes other symptoms of PCOS. If your body does not process the insulin properly, it can result in high glucose levels in your body and can also lead to diabetes.
Being overweight and obese can also result in insulin resistance.
3. Low-Grade Inflammation
People having PCOS can have low-grade inflammation. To know the level of inflammation in your body, a doctor can perform blood tests that measure the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) that indicate the level of inflammation.
Treatment Option available for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS
Treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS may include lifestyle changes and medication if you want to get pregnant. The doctor may recommend you lose weight through a low-calorie diet and moderate exercise activities.
Losing weight also increases the effectiveness of medicines and can help with your infertility issue.
Excess inflammation leads to a higher level of androgen.
If you do not want to get pregnant, treatment may include the following: –
(a) Hormonal Birth Control
You may be given pills that contain estrogen and progestin to decrease androgen production and regulate estrogen. This can lower your risk of endometrial cancer and correct abnormal bleeding, acne, hair growth, etc. You can also use a skin patch or vaginal ring that contains a combination of estrogen and progestin.
(b) Insulin-Sensitizing Medicine
Insulin-sensitizing medicine such as Metformin is used to help your body process insulin. Because once insulin is controlled, some people may see improvements in their menstrual cycles.
(c) Medicine to Block Androgens
Some drugs are used to reduce androgens’ effect, which helps control acne or hair growth caused by PCOS.
(d) Lifestyle changes
Having a healthy diet and losing weight can positively impact your insulin level.
PCOS Treatments for Getting Pregnant
Drugs to Induce Ovulation
Drugs are given to induce ovulation in women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS. The doctor may recommend Clomiphene, Letrozole, and Gonadotrophins given by injection.
Surgery
As many new medicines are available so, this procedure is rarely performed. In this, surgeons performed a procedure called ovarian drilling to trigger ovulation by removing tissues in the ovaries that are producing androgen hormones.
IVF (In Virto Fertilization)
This option is for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS when medication doesn’t help with ovulation. In IVF woman’s egg is fertilized with her partner’s sperm in a laboratory. And then transferred to the uterus.