Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone abnormality that affects many women throughout the world including Anguilla. Polycystic ovary syndrome can affect women’s overall health, including their fertility.
What is Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels. The ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs.
What causes PCOS?
The exact cause of PCOS is not known. The causes of PCOS are very complex. Lifestyle, genetics and health are all factors that affect PCOS.
Excess insulin is believed to be a factor causing PCOS. Excess insulin might increase androgen production causing difficulty with ovulation.
Research has shown that 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.
Issues related to PCOS
Reproductive problems: Having PCOS can affect a woman’s periods causing them to occur too close to each other or too far apart. Some women with PCOS also have normal periods.
Despite what many people think, women with PCOS can, and still do, become biological mothers. With the recent advances in reproductive care, women with PCOS can absolutely get pregnant.
Metabolic problems: For reasons not entirely understood yet, women with PCOS have a five to seven times increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes later in life. Because it is difficult for women with PCOS to metabolize carbohydrates, sticking to a low-carb diet might help improve some symptoms.
Acne and excess body hair: PCOS leads to high testosterone levels which cause problems such as acne and excessive body hair.
The good news is that there are a number of treatment options for hormonal acne to lower testosterone levels.
Diagnosis
At this time there is no test to definitively diagnose PCOS. A detailed history is often needed. A physical exam will include checking for signs of excess hair growth, insulin resistance and acne. Various investigations might be needed to help in making the diagnosis of PCOS.
Treatment
PCOS treatment focuses on managing your individual concerns such as infertility, hirsutism, acne or obesity. Specific treatment might involve lifestyle changes or medication.
What are some complications of PCOS?
There are many complications for women with PCOS. Not all individuals have these complications. Complications will also vary in severity as well.
The most common complications include:
• Infertility
• Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure
• Miscarriage or premature birth
• Metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels that significantly increase your risk of cardiovascular disease
• Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes
• Depression, anxiety and eating disorders
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer)
Conclusion
PCOS is a condition that can affect a woman’s periods, fertility, hormones and aspects of her appearance. This condition can result in many complications if not managed appropriately. Individuals with signs and symptoms suggestive of polycystic ovary syndrome should seek professional help.
Ask Your Dr 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 with over thirty-six years in clinical practice. Dr Brett Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 497 5928).
