Women's Health | Something About PCOS
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| Women's Health | Something about PCOS |
PCOS is one of the most common physical problems in women today. Polycystic ovary syndrome is abbreviated as PCOS. 1 out of every 10 women with reproductive capacity is infected with this disease. Due to this, the rate of infertility in women is increasing.
In most cases, women between the ages of 20-30 suffer from PCOS. After puberty, PCOS can occur at any age, regardless of race or ethnicity, but those who are obese or have or have had a mother-sister PCOS problem in the family have a higher risk of contracting it.
Today's article is arranged with the details of PCOS.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is a hormonal physical complication in women. As a result of PCOS, a hormone called androgen, which is usually present in high levels in the male body (which is normally present in very small amounts in the female body), causes excessive secretion in the female body. Women tend to have irregular menstruation or excessive bleeding. Numerous tiny follicles are formed in the ovary and the process of regular ovulation is disrupted. In some cases cysts are formed, but in many cases cysts have not been created despite having PCOS.
Symptoms of PCOS
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People with PCOS tend to have irregular periods; Image Source: mayoclinic.org |
Irregular menstruation
Women with PCOS who have irregular periods (less than 6 times a year), frequent periods (at intervals of 21 days or less), menstruation may stop completely, and in some cases there may be excessive bleeding during menstruation.
Unwanted hair
In healthy women, where hair does not grow on the body, such as the face, chin, neck, chest, back or other places, there is extra hair growth like in men. This condition is called hirsutism in the language of medicine. Seventy percent of women with PCOS have this condition.
Acne
Acne mainly affects the face, chest, and buttocks.
Thinning of the scalp
The same pattern is often seen in women with PCOS, just as men have baldness on their heads.
Obesity
Being overweight without any reason or trying to lose weight but failing.
Complications in pregnancy
Can't get pregnant even after regular efforts.
Dark skin
The skin around the shoulders, under the breasts, or in the groin becomes black.
Ovarian size changes
The ovaries become larger in size.
Causes of PCOS
The exact cause of PCOS is still unknown to medical science. However, doctors believe that the following factors are responsible for PCOS.
Excess of androgen hormone
Androgen hormones are mainly present in the male body (in very small amounts in healthy women), and due to this hormone many masculine features are revealed. If there is an excess of androgen hormone secretion in the female body for any reason, the process of ovulation in the ovary is disrupted during menstruation.
Presence of excessive insulin
The hormone insulin controls the production of energy from the foods we eat. Many women's bodies naturally develop a kind of resistance to insulin. As a result, this normal process of insulin is disrupted and the level of insulin in the blood increases. Women who are particularly obese, unaccustomed to healthy eating, uninterested in adequate physical activity, and have had or still have diabetes in the family are more likely to have this insulin resistance.
Physical complications caused by PCOS
PCOS can cause a variety of physical complications:
Friendship.
Miscarriage or preterm birth may occur.
Sleep apnea (breathing problems during sleep) can occur.
High blood pressure can occur later in pregnancy.
Excess fat can lead to liver damage.
Increases the level of LDL (Bad Cholesterol) in the body and lowers the level of HDL (Good Cholesterol).
There is a possibility of type-2 diabetes.
Women with PCOS have a higher risk of high blood pressure than healthy women of the same age. This high blood pressure is one of the leading causes of various heart diseases and strokes.
Frustration and anxiety.
The presence of blood in the urine without any cause.
Increased risk of endometrial cancer.
Can a woman with PCOS get pregnant?
Being infected with PCOS does not mean that the woman will never be able to conceive. Many women are able to conceive later if caught early and with proper treatment. Hormonal imbalances in the body of a woman with PCOS disrupt the normal growth of the ovum and the ovum cannot be released normally during ovulation. In this case, it is inevitable to take advice and proper treatment from the doctor.
Do the symptoms of PCOS go away after menopause?
‘Yes’ for many, and ‘No’ for many. PCOS causes many changes in the body and causes various complications. Many women have seen their menstrual cycle return to normal before menopause. In many cases, the symptoms remain the same, as the hormonal imbalances caused by PCOS remain the same with age.
How is PCOS diagnosed?
Some tests are performed in addition to observing the symptoms; Image Source: cdc.gov
No specific method for diagnosing PCOS has been discovered so far. However, doctors recommend monitoring the symptoms as well as the following tests.
Pelvic exam
Examines the organs of the reproductive system; Whether there is the presence of any kind of flesh or abnormality.
Blood test
Blood tests are done to check hormone levels: androgen, insulin, cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound shows the shape of the ovaries and the thickness of the lining of the uterus. This test is performed by inserting a rod-like device into the vagina.
Treatment of PCOS
There is no specific treatment for PCOS; Image Source: everydayhealth.com
There is no specific treatment for PCOS. Usually the treatment is long term. Treatment is based on the individual's symptoms and the results of various medical tests. Treatment can be of two types:
Changes in lifestyle
Weight loss will be followed by fatigue and constant tiredness.
Medicine
For regular menstruation, your doctor may recommend taking birth control pills containing estrogen and progesterone. This will reduce the risk of endometrial cancer, reduce excess bleeding and help reduce unwanted hair and acne. Your doctor may prescribe clomiphene, metformin, letrozole, gonadotropin to keep the ovulation process going.
Birth control pills, spironolactone or electrolysis can be recommended for the removal of unwanted body hair.
Awareness can easily free you from potential problems. However, in order to solve the problem, the advice of a suitable doctor must be followed.
Language: English
Topic: This article is about women health on Polycystic ovary syndrome.
All the references are hyperlinked in the article.
Feature Image: health.com