Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that can cause fertility problems and other health issues. Symptoms include hormonal imbalances, irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth, and weight gain. PCOS can be diagnosed through physical exams and lab tests, and treatment includes medication and lifestyle changes such as exercise and a healthy diet. Without treatment, PCOS can lead to other health complications such as diabetes and cancer of the uterus.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health condition that affects a woman’s hormones. Symptoms may appear mild at first, but can eventually interfere with fertility or cause other problems in the advanced stages. Changes in hormone levels often indicate the presence of PCOS, which is sometimes hereditary. Multiple tests help confirm a diagnosis. Treatment often includes medications in addition to lifestyle changes.
Hormones normally act as “chemical messengers” traveling from organs to cells within the body to stimulate energy production and growth. Regular hormone levels signal the release of other hormones, which affect normal menstrual cycles and ovulation. Conversely, PCOS causes hormonal imbalances, which can cause problems with menstruation and fertility.
Depending on the person, PCOS symptoms range from mild to severe in health. Some of the more common symptoms of PCOS include acne, thinning hair, and excess body and facial hair. A woman can also suffer from PCOS if she gains weight easily and has a hard time losing it. Skin problems can also emerge as a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome. Examples include the development of skin tags or darkening around the skin folds, underarms, neck or groin area.
Polycystic ovary syndrome can cause additional symptoms that can also affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, fertility, and well-being. Another common PCOS symptom includes irregular menstrual cycles. Some women with PCOS may not have periods, while others may have nine or fewer periods a year. However, some women with PCOS symptoms may experience heavy bleeding during their menstrual cycle.
Infertility can also result from polycystic ovary syndrome. PCOS interferes with a woman’s ability to ovulate or form the eggs needed to conceive a child. Dealing with PCOS symptoms can ultimately take a toll on a woman’s self-esteem, thus leading to depression and mood swings, according to medical sources.
Without the proper treatment, PCOS symptoms carry their share of risk factors for developing other health complications. For example, some women may develop diabetes because PCOS causes the body to resist insulin. Given the problems with ovulation and menstruation, the lining of the uterus may begin to thicken rather than shed normally. In this case, untreated PCOS can lead to cancer of the uterus. High blood pressure, heart disease, and sleep apnea are also considered risk factors due to PCOS.
Fluctuations in hormone levels and family history often cause PCOS symptoms. Small, harmless cysts form on a woman’s ovaries, hence the name polycystic ovary syndrome. These cysts act as culprits for the hormonal imbalances that cause PCOS symptoms. Heredity also tends to cause PCOS if women on the maternal or paternal side of the family have experienced PCOS or associated risk factors such as diabetes.
An endocrinologist, obstetrician, or gynecologist can evaluate and diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome. Your doctor may ask questions about your medical history, including any changes in your skin and weight, as well as family history of hormone problems. The physical exam usually checks the patient’s body mass index, thyroid gland, breasts, abdomen, skin, and hair. Lab tests also help detect PCOS by checking for high blood sugar, high androgen levels, or high lipid levels. Blood tests check for insulin levels, adrenal gland problems, and an overactive or underactive thyroid, all associated with PCOS.
Weight control and hormone balance medications help control PCOS symptoms. Medical resources recommend that the patient get regular exercise and eat a healthful diet to lose weight and avoid long-term health effects such as heart disease and diabetes. Birth control pills reportedly reduce acne, facial hair and regulate the menstrual cycle. Metformin, a diabetes drug, and other fertility drugs can also help restore menstrual periods and help you get pregnant. Creams, waxes, shaving, and laser treatments provide at least a temporary solution to getting rid of unwanted hair, while over-the-counter and acne medications can cleanse the skin.
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