Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition affecting women and young female adolescents. Although the exact cause is not known there are now many treatment options for managing this disorder.
What is polycystic ovarian syndrome?
The three main features of PCOS are: irregular periods; excessive androgens (male hormones); and polycystic ovaries – the ovaries become enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs (follicles) which surround the eggs. (it is important to note that, despite the name, if you have PCOS you do not actually have cysts.)
What causes PCOS?
At this time the exact cause of polycystic ovarian syndrome is not known. Researchers believe there are many factors that might contribute and play a role. These include: excess insulin, low-grade inflammation and heredity.
What are the signs and symptoms of PCOS?
Individuals often start having signs and symptoms around the time of the first menstrual period during puberty. Sometimes PCOS develops later, for example, in response to substantial weight gain.
Signs and symptoms of PCOS vary. A diagnosis of PCOS is made when you experience at least two of these signs:
• Irregular periods. Infrequent, irregular or prolonged menstrual cycles are the most common sign of PCOS. For example, you might have fewer than nine periods a year, more than 35 days between periods and abnormally heavy periods.
• Excess androgen. Elevated levels of male hormone may result in physical signs such as excess facial and body hair (hirsutism), and occasionally severe acne and male-pattern baldness.
• Polycystic ovaries. Your ovaries might be enlarged and contain follicles that surround the eggs. As a result, the ovaries might fail to function regularly.
Other signs include:
• difficulty getting pregnant because of irregular ovulation or failure to ovulate
• oily skin
PCOS is also associated with an increased risk of developing health problems, in later life, such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol levels.
Diagnosis
If you have signs and symptoms suggestive of PCOS you should see your doctor or gynaecologist. There is no single test that will definitively diagnose PCOS, but your healthcare provider will likely carry out a detailed history and full clinical examination, and then arrange for several investigations to include hormone levels and an ultrasound scan.
Treatment
There is no cure for PCOS, but the symptoms can be treated. Treatment will vary from one individual to another.
If you have PCOS and you are overweight, losing weight and eating a healthy, balanced diet can make some symptoms improve.
Several medications are also available to treat symptoms such as excessive hair growth, irregular periods and fertility problems.
If fertility medications are ineffective, a simple surgical procedure called laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) may be recommended.
With treatment, most women with PCOS can get pregnant.
Conclusion
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common hormonal disorder affecting women in the reproductive period of their lives. The exact cause is not known, but there are now effective ways of managing this disorder, although no cure is possible at this time. Individuals with signs and symptoms suggestive of PCOS should see their healthcare provider to prevent complications like infertility.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge MB BS DGO MRCOG is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty-five years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
