PCOS- What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - Symptoms, Effects, Infertility, Frequent Pregnancy loss

Do you suffer from irregular periods? Abnormal facial hair growth like in males? Are you overweight and have difficulty losing weight? Are you a woman of child-bearing age group and have difficulty conceiving? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. It can affect up to 1 in 5 to 1 in 10 women. Women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of androgens (male hormones). This hormonal imbalance causes them to have irregular menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant. It also causes abnormal hair growth on the face and body and baldness. Early diagnosis and treatment along with weight loss may reduce the risk of long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Who gets PCOS? Between 5% and 10% of women between 15 and 44, or during the childbearing years, have PCOS. Most women find out they have PCOS when they have problems getting pregnant and see their doctor. But PCOS can happen at any age after puberty. Women of all races and ethnicities are at risk of PCOS. The risk may be higher in those with obesity or if a blood relative like the mother, sister, or aunt suffers from PCOS. What are the symptoms of PCOS? A person suffering from PCOS may have all or some of the symptoms of PCOS include: ★ Irregular periods. Women with PCOS may miss periods or have fewer periods (fewer than eight cycles in a year). The periods when they come are associated with heavy bleeding. Sometimes some women with PCOS can stop having menstrual periods. ★ Men like hair growth or too much hair on the face, chin, or parts of the body where men usually have hair. This is called “hirsutism” and it affects up to 70% of women with PCOS. ★ Oily and acne-prone skin- on the face, chest, and upper back. ★ Excessive hair loss- Thinning hair or hair loss on the scalp, may result in baldness. ★ Weight gain or difficulty losing weight- Excessive weight is distributed around the waist and is difficult to lose weight. ★ Others like- Darkening of skin, along neck creases, in the groin, and underneath breasts. Skin tags, which are small excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area. What happens in PCOS? PCOS is caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones, which creates problems in the ovaries. The ovaries have multiple follicles out of which one matures and an egg is released each month as part of a healthy menstrual cycle. With PCOS, the egg may not develop as it should or it may not be released during ovulation as it should be. PCOS can thus cause missed or irregular menstrual periods, these, in turn, leads to infertility or inability to get pregnant. In fact, PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women. It also leads to the development of small fluid-filled sacs or cysts in the ovaries. What causes PCOS? An interplay of several factors, including genetics, play a role. There are high levels of androgens(male hormones) and Insulin. All women make small amounts of androgens, however, these levels are significantly increased in those with PCOS. Androgens control the development of male traits, such as male-pattern baldness and hair growth on the body. Higher androgen levels in women can prevent the ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation) during each menstrual cycle. Women with PCOS may have insulin resistance, especially those who are overweight or obese, have unhealthy eating habits, do not get enough physical activity, and have a family history of diabetes (usually type 2 diabetes). Over time, insulin resistance can lead to type 2 diabetes. Pregnancy? PCOS is one of the most common, but treatable, causes of infertility in women. In women with PCOS, the hormonal imbalance interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation). If you don't ovulate, you can't get pregnant. Your doctor can talk with you about ways to help you ovulate and to raise your chance of getting pregnant. You can also use an ovulation calculator and calendar (available online) to see which days in your menstrual cycle you are most likely to be fertile. Other health problems? Studies have found links between PCOS and other health problems. However, researchers do not know if PCOS causes some of these problems or if these problems cause PCOS. The health problems include: Depression and anxiety. Sleep apnea. This is when momentary and repeated stops in breathing interrupt sleep. Unhealthy cholesterol. Women with PCOS often have higher levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol. Diabetes. More than half of women with PCOS will have diabetes or prediabetes (glucose intolerance) before the age of 40. High blood pressure. Endometrial cancer. Problems with ovulation, obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes increase the risk of developing cancer of the endometrium (lining of the uterus or womb). Write to us at [email protected]