Understanding the problem of polycystic ovaries 2024 Causes, symptoms and innovative treatment methods

Understanding the problem of polycystic ovaries

Understanding the problem of polycystic ovaries Causes, symptoms and innovative treatment methods

What is polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that occurs when the ovary (the organ that produces eggs) creates excess hormones.

If you have PCOS, your ovaries produce unusually high levels of hormones called androgens. This makes your reproductive hormones unbalanced.

As a result, women with PCOS often experience irregular menstrual cycles, menstrual loss, and unexpected ovulation.

Small follicle cysts (fluid-filled cysts with immature eggs) may be visible on the ovaries on ultrasound due to lack of ovulation (anovulation). However, despite the name “polycystic”, you do not need to have cysts on the ovaries to get PCOS. Ovarian cysts are not a serious or painful disease.

PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women and it can also increase the risk of other health conditions.

At what age does polycystic ovary syndrome begin

Women can develop PCOS at any time after puberty. Most people in their 20s or 30s are diagnosed when they try to conceive.

You may have a higher chance of PCOS if you are obese or if other people in your biological family have PCOS.

Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome

PCOS is very common – up to 15 per cent of women and people of childbearing age have PCOS.

Symptoms of polycystic ovaries

The most common signs and symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome include:

  • Irregular menstrual cycle: an abnormal menstrual cycle involves missing periods or no menstruation at all. It may also involve heavy bleeding during the menstrual cycle.
  • Abnormal hair growth: you may grow excess facial hair or experience heavy hair growth on your arms, chest, and abdomen (trichosis). This affects up to 70% of people with polycystic ovary syndrome.
  • Acne: PCOS can cause acne, especially on your back, chest, and face. This acne may persist beyond the teenage years and can be difficult to treat.
  • Obesity: between 40% and 80% of people with PCOS are obese and have difficulty maintaining a healthy weight for them.
  • Darkening of the skin: you may develop patches of dark skin, especially in the folds of your neck, armpits, groin (between the legs) and under your breasts. This is known as acanthosis nigricans.
  • Skin growths: skin growths are the small flaps of excess skin. Most often they are found in the armpits or on your neck.
  • Hair loss: people with PCOS may lose amounts of hair on their heads or start going bald.
  • Infertility: PCOS is the most common cause of infertility in people. Not ovulating regularly or frequently can lead to the inability to get pregnant.


Can you have polycystic ovaries but without any symptoms

Yes, you can have polycystic ovaries and have no symptoms.

Many women do not even realize that they suffer from this condition until they have difficulty getting pregnant or gain weight for reasons unknown. It is also possible to have mild PCOS, as the symptoms are not severe enough to notice.

 Causes of polycystic ovaries

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but there is evidence that genetics plays a role. Many other factors, most importantly obesity, play a role in the pathogenesis of PCOS:

  • Higher levels of male hormones called androgens: high androgen levels prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs, causing irregular menstrual periods.
  • Irregular ovulation can also cause small fluid-filled cysts to appear on the ovaries. High androgens also cause acne and excessive hair growth in women.
  • Insulin resistance: increased insulin levels cause the ovaries to form and release male hormones (androgens).
    An excess of male hormones inhibits ovulation and contributes to the appearance of other symptoms of PCOS. Insulin helps your body process glucose (sugar) and use it for energy. Insulin resistance means that your body is not processing insulin properly, which causes blood glucose levels to rise.
    Not all individuals with insulin resistance have high glucose or diabetes, but insulin resistance can lead to diabetes.
    Being overweight or obese can also contribute to insulin resistance. An elevated insulin level, even if blood glucose is normal, can indicate insulin resistance.
  • Low-grade inflammation: women with PCOS tend to have chronic low-grade inflammation. Your doctor can perform blood tests that measure the levels of reactive protein C (CRP) and white blood cells, which can indicate the level of inflammation in your body.

Diagnosis of polycystic ovaries

There is no single test that can definitely diagnose PCOS. Instead, the doctor conducts a comprehensive assessment that includes medical history, physical examination and tests.

Medical history and physical examination:

The doctor will ask about your medical history, including any previous medical conditions and your family history of PCOS. The doctor will also examine your abdomen and genitals for any signs or symptoms of the disease.

Blood tests:

The doctor may ask you to do blood tests to assess hormone levels, such as:

  • Testosterone
  • Estrogens
  • Progesterone
  • (FSH)
  • Luteinizing hormone (LH)

Imaging tests:

The doctor may ask you to do imaging tests, such as ultrasound or MRI, to evaluate your ovaries.

Diagnostic criteria

There are no specific diagnostic criteria for PCOS. However, there are a number of criteria that can be used to assess the likelihood of developing the disease. The three main criteria are:

Irregular periods: Women with PCOS often have irregular or absent monthly periods.

Increased androgen levels: Women with PCOS often have high levels of testosterone, which can lead to symptoms such as acne, hair loss and hairs (excess hair growth in the face and body)

Ovarian bags: Women with PCOS often have small bags on the ovaries.

If a woman has two or more of these criteria, she is more likely to have PCOS.

Treatment of polycystic ovaries

The specialist doctor will determine the treatment based on symptoms, medical history and other health conditions, and if you want to conceive. Treatments can include medications, lifestyle changes or a combination of both.

If you are not planning to conceive, treatments include:

  • Hormonal birth control: options include birth control pills, patches, shots, vaginal ring, or intrauterine device (IUD). Hormonal birth control helps regulate the menstrual cycle, and some forms will improve acne and help prevent excessive hair growth.
  • Insulin sensitizing drug: metformin is a drug used to treat diabetes. It works by helping your body process insulin. Once insulin is under control, some people with PCOS see an improvement in their menstrual cycles.
  • Drugs to block androgens: some drugs can block the effect of androgens. This helps control acne or hair growth.
  • Lifestyle changes: eating a nutritious diet and maintaining a healthy body weight can have a positive effect on insulin levels.

If you want to get pregnant now or in the future, treatment for PCOS includes:

  • Drugs that stimulate ovulation (egg release): a successful pregnancy begins with ovulation. Some drugs have been shown to stimulate ovulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.
    The drugs clomiphene and letrozole are taken orally, while gonadotropins are administered by injection.
  • Surgery: the surgical procedure can help restore ovulation by removing tissue in the ovaries that produce androgen hormones. With the availability of newer drugs, surgeons rarely perform this procedure.
  • In vitro fertilization (IVF): this is an option for women with polycystic ovary syndrome when medication does not help ovulation.
    The specialist fertilizes your egg with the husband’s sperm in the laboratory before transferring it to your uterus.

Does polycystic ovary syndrome disappear

Although there is no cure for PCOS, a specialist doctor can help you manage the symptoms. The effects of PCOS may change over time so that you become less aware of the condition.
However, there is no treatment that cures it permanently.

Can a woman be in menopause and have polycystic ovary syndrome

The hormone that changes during menopause often resolves the symptoms of PCOS. It doesn’t matter how old you are – if the symptoms affect your quality of life, talk to your doctor.

Can I get pregnant if I have polycystic ovaries

Yes, you can get pregnant if you have polycystic ovary syndrome. PCOS can make it difficult to get pregnant with an increased risk of certain pregnancy complications, but many women who have PCOS get pregnant.

Your doctor will work to develop a treatment plan to help you ovulate. Your treatment plan may include medications or assisted reproductive technologies such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Can PCOS or its effects be prevented

There is no proven way to prevent PCOS, but you can take small steps to reduce symptoms. For example, eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and managing your body’s healthy weight can help you avoid the effects of PCOS.

Understanding the problem of polycystic ovaries

 Is PCOS the cause of other diseases

Research shows that PCOS may increase the risk of several health conditions, including:

  • Diabetes mellitus.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Diseases of the heart and blood vessels.
  • Endometrial hyperplasia.
  • Endometrial cancer.
  • Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.
  • Depression and anxiety

 How to deal with polycystic ovary syndrome

One of the best ways to deal with PCOS is to maintain a healthy body weight, eat nutritious foods, and exercise regularly. These changes in your lifestyle can affect hormone levels, which in turn will regulate your menstrual cycle and relieve symptoms.

If excessive hair growth or acne is harming your confidence, cosmetic treatments or working with a dermatologist can be helpful.

Finally, if you are trying to get pregnant and have PCOS, know that you are not alone. Approximately 1 in 10 women suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome.

Is polycystic ovary syndrome hereditary

Researchers are learning more about the causes of PCOS. However, some evidence shows that PCOS has a genetic component. This means that if your mother has PCOS, you may be at a higher risk of developing it as well.

Hormones that affect polycystic ovary syndrome

Women with PCOS have a hormonal imbalance that disrupts the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and possibly pregnancy.
These hormones are like a complex network and the function of your reproductive system largely depends on its balance. The hormones that play a role in PCOS are:

  • Androgens (such as testosterone and androstenedione).
  • Luteinizing hormone (LH).
  • Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).
  • The hormone estrogen.
  • Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea.
  • Depression and anxiety


The difference between PCOS and endometriosis

Polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis are different conditions, but both can cause ovarian cysts and infertility.
Endometriosis is a condition in which the lining of the uterus grows in other places such as the ovaries, vagina, or fallopian tubes. It usually causes pelvic pain or severe menstrual cramps.
Women with PCOS experience irregular menstrual cycles, unexpected ovulation, and other physical side effects due to excess male hormones.

 

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