PCOS

POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME (PCOS)

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🛑 Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age.

🛑 Its not the same as having ovarian cysts.

🛑 Women with PCOS usually have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone levels.

🛑 The ovaries develop many small collections of fluid and fail to regularly release eggs when they should .

🛑 The exact cause of PCOS is unknown . This can however be hereditary.

🛑 If diagnosed and treated early and a healthy weight maintained, the risk of long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease is reduced.

🛑 There are 4 types of PCOS

💥 Insulin resistant PCOS - most common type found in women who smoke or are overweight.

💥 Pill induced PCOS - usually in women who used contraceptive pills. This is temporary and ovulation resumes on its own. This might take some time though.

💥 Inflammatory PCOS - usually seen in people who are really stressed or have some form of chronic inflammation.

💥 Hidden PCOS - usually seen in persons with thyroid problems, who use artificial sweeteners, in vegetarians .

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What Symptoms come with PCOS

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🛑 The symptoms are usually noticed around the time of the first menstrual period during puberty. Sometimes However PCOS may develop later in life because of extreme weight gain.

🛑 To be diagnosed with PCOS, you should have at least 2 of the symptoms below:

💥 Irregular periods, infrequent or prolonged menstrual cycles ( most common sign of PCOS)

💥 High levels of male hormone.

You may begin to have excess facial and body hair, sometimes severe acne and male-pattern baldness.

❗It's not normal to be growing lots of chest hair and beard as a woman. Take a quick trip to your obgyn.

💥 Polycystic ovaries.

Your ovaries might be enlarged and contain follicles that surround the eggs. As a result, the ovaries might fail to function regularly.

❗PCOS signs and symptoms are usually more severe if you're obese.

💥 If you have any of the signs above, see your obgyn

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What are the complications of PCOS :

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🛑 Infertility - pregnancy can be difficult to achieve but possible.

🛑 Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure

🛑 Miscarriages or premature birth

🛑 Extreme storage of fat in your liver that can affect its function.

🛑 Metabolic syndrome (a group of conditions that include high blood pressure, high blood sugar and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels that significantly increase your risk of heart and blood vessel disease)

🛑 Type 2 diabetes or pre - diabetes

🛑 You stop breathing a couple of times during your sleep

🛑 Depression, anxiety and eating disorders

🛑 Irregular bleeding from the womb

🛑 Cancer of the womb lining (endometrial cancer)

❗Obesity is associated with PCOS and can worsen complications of the disorder.

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Is there any specific test for diagnosing PCOS?

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🛑 There's no test to definitively diagnose PCOS. Your medical history, menstrual periods and weight changes are important in helping diagnose PCOS .

🛑 Signs of excess hair growth, insulin resistance and acne also give a fair idea that you might have PCOS.

🛑 Tests that can be done to help with Diagnosis

🛑 A pelvic exam - growths in the pelvis can be palpated

🛑 Blood tests - hormone levels are checked. This helps rule out possible causes of menstrual abnormalities or excess male hormones that can mimic PCOS. Glucose tolerance and fasting cholesterol and triglyceride levels are sometimes measured too.

🛑 An ultrasound - polycystic ovaries are visible on ultrasound.

❗ If you have PCOS, your blood pressure, glucose tolerance, cholesterol levels should be checked from time to time.

❗ You should also be monitored for depression, anxiety and breathing problems during sleeping.

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How is this treated

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🛑 PCOS treatment focuses on managing your individual concerns, such as infertility, excessive hair growth , acne or obesity. Specific treatment might involve lifestyle changes or medication.

🛑 Weight loss ( low-calorie diet combined with moderate exercise activities - no pills or herbs or short cuts) might improve your condition. Losing weight also increase the effectiveness of medications for PCOS and can help with infertility.

🛑 Your obgyn can put you on specific medication to help with your symptoms or help with pregnancy should you want to get pregnant.

🛑 Do you have PCOS? Maintain a healthy body weight, limit your carbohydrate intake and exercise to improve your condition.