Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Are you affected too?

What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome(PCOS)?

- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a hormonal problem wherein a woman's menstrual period, ovulation and appearance are being affected. PCOS is hereditary or it is most likely that if a patient has it she has a sister or other family members that has PCOS as well.

Women with PCOS will grow small cysts on their ovary, which is why it is called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The cyst will cause hormonal imbalance and will lead to infertility.

It is thought that 1 out of 10 women have it.



What are the causes of PCOS?

Women with PCOS have insulin resistance. Insulin is a chemical that our body produces to control the level of blood sugar in our body. Due to the resistance, more insulin needs to be produced to control the body's blood sugar level. Another effect of insulin is to cause the ovaries to produce male hormone.

What are the Symptoms of PCOS?

The usual symptoms are:

• irregular menstrual period
• infertility
• acne
• weight gain or hardship to loose weight 
• excessive body hair growth, more visible facial hair
• dark or thick skin markings along armpit, groin, neck and breast
• scalp hair loss

How to cure PCOS?

• Since obesity and weight gain is common with women that have PCOS, losing weight for as little as 5% can help to regulate your hormone.
• birth control pills
• if a patient wants to bear a child in the near future, the doctor may recommend a diabetes medicine called gucophage (metformin).

What if PCOS is not cured immediately.

• increased risk of getting type 2 diabetes during pregnancy
• high cholesterol level
• high blood pressure
• diabetes
• cancer of the uterus