PCOS - What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and How is it Treated?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is a common factor in female factor infertility.
Many women who are diagnosed with PCOS aren't given an explanation of what this syndrome is.
My goal is to help you understand what is going on in your body if you have PCOS and give you some insight into what type of treatment to expect.
1.
What is PCOS? PCOS is a health condition that affects a woman's menstrual cycle, her chances of having children without fertility treatment, her appearance, and her hormones.
2.
What are the symptoms of PCOS? Basically, a woman who has PCOS has a high level of male hormones in her body.
This causes many symptoms.
Some of the physical symptoms of PCOS are weight gain, extra hair on the face or other parts of the body, acne, and dark patches of skin or skin tags.
Other symptoms can be ovarian cysts, high blood pressure, pelvic pain, sleep apnea, and insulin resistance.
3.
What causes PCOS? There are many factors that might be the cause of PCOS, but the actual cause is unknown.
Genetics are thought to be one of the causes.
If you have a mother or sister with PCOS, your chances of having PCOS are higher.
Insulin resistance is also thought to be one factor that may cause PCOS.
A woman who has PCOS may have problems with her body using insulin resulting in too much insulin in the body.
Extra insulin in the body appears to produce male hormones.
4.
If I have PCOS and insulin resistance, does that mean I will develop diabetes? You could, but not necessarily.
Many doctors will prescribe Glucophage when PCOS is determined.
Glucophage affects the way insulin in your body controls sugar.
It also can lower testosterone production.
With medication, insulin resistance can be controlled.
Additionally, with exercise and a healthy diet, insulin resistance can be reduced.
If you are concerned about developing diabetes, talk with your doctor.
5.
Why do women with PCOS have problems with their menstrual cycles and conceiving? In each ovary, there are many tiny sacs called follicles.
These sacs are called cysts and they are filled with liquid that holds eggs.
During a woman's cycle, up to 20 eggs start to mature, but only one usually matures fully.
As this egg matures, the follicle fills with fluid until ovulation when the follicle breaks open.
When a woman has PCOS, the hormone that tells the eggs to mature aren't always there.
Many follicles start to grow, but none of them develop into a mature egg.
They remain as cysts (hence the name polycystic ovary) and ovulation does not occur.
When ovulation does not occur, progesterone is not made and the woman's cycle can become irregular or absent.
The cysts also continue to give off male hormones which adds to the problems.
6.
What treatments are available for PCOS? One medication that is commonly prescribed is Glucophage (or Metformin) for the regulation of the insulin resistance.
Other medications that your doctor may prescribe would include fertility medications like Clomid.
If your goal is pregnancy and Clomid does not work, your doctor may explore other fertility treatments with you.
Because of the relationship with insulin resistance, you may have to make changes in your everyday life like exercising and monitoring your caloric intake.
7.
What other health problems do I need to be aware of with PCOS? *Over 50% of women with PCOS will continue on to develop diabetes.
*A woman with PCOS is four to seven times more likely to have a heart attack than a woman of the same age without PCOS.
*High blood pressure is a risk for a women with PCOS.
*Women with PCOS also have a higher chance of getting endometrial cancer.
If you have been diagnose with PCOS, there are many resources available for support.
Join a group online to help you to deal with the emotional aspects of dealing with PCOS.
Talk with your doctor about how to reduce the effects of PCOS on your body and your chances of conceiving.
Many women who are diagnosed with PCOS aren't given an explanation of what this syndrome is.
My goal is to help you understand what is going on in your body if you have PCOS and give you some insight into what type of treatment to expect.
1.
What is PCOS? PCOS is a health condition that affects a woman's menstrual cycle, her chances of having children without fertility treatment, her appearance, and her hormones.
2.
What are the symptoms of PCOS? Basically, a woman who has PCOS has a high level of male hormones in her body.
This causes many symptoms.
Some of the physical symptoms of PCOS are weight gain, extra hair on the face or other parts of the body, acne, and dark patches of skin or skin tags.
Other symptoms can be ovarian cysts, high blood pressure, pelvic pain, sleep apnea, and insulin resistance.
3.
What causes PCOS? There are many factors that might be the cause of PCOS, but the actual cause is unknown.
Genetics are thought to be one of the causes.
If you have a mother or sister with PCOS, your chances of having PCOS are higher.
Insulin resistance is also thought to be one factor that may cause PCOS.
A woman who has PCOS may have problems with her body using insulin resulting in too much insulin in the body.
Extra insulin in the body appears to produce male hormones.
4.
If I have PCOS and insulin resistance, does that mean I will develop diabetes? You could, but not necessarily.
Many doctors will prescribe Glucophage when PCOS is determined.
Glucophage affects the way insulin in your body controls sugar.
It also can lower testosterone production.
With medication, insulin resistance can be controlled.
Additionally, with exercise and a healthy diet, insulin resistance can be reduced.
If you are concerned about developing diabetes, talk with your doctor.
5.
Why do women with PCOS have problems with their menstrual cycles and conceiving? In each ovary, there are many tiny sacs called follicles.
These sacs are called cysts and they are filled with liquid that holds eggs.
During a woman's cycle, up to 20 eggs start to mature, but only one usually matures fully.
As this egg matures, the follicle fills with fluid until ovulation when the follicle breaks open.
When a woman has PCOS, the hormone that tells the eggs to mature aren't always there.
Many follicles start to grow, but none of them develop into a mature egg.
They remain as cysts (hence the name polycystic ovary) and ovulation does not occur.
When ovulation does not occur, progesterone is not made and the woman's cycle can become irregular or absent.
The cysts also continue to give off male hormones which adds to the problems.
6.
What treatments are available for PCOS? One medication that is commonly prescribed is Glucophage (or Metformin) for the regulation of the insulin resistance.
Other medications that your doctor may prescribe would include fertility medications like Clomid.
If your goal is pregnancy and Clomid does not work, your doctor may explore other fertility treatments with you.
Because of the relationship with insulin resistance, you may have to make changes in your everyday life like exercising and monitoring your caloric intake.
7.
What other health problems do I need to be aware of with PCOS? *Over 50% of women with PCOS will continue on to develop diabetes.
*A woman with PCOS is four to seven times more likely to have a heart attack than a woman of the same age without PCOS.
*High blood pressure is a risk for a women with PCOS.
*Women with PCOS also have a higher chance of getting endometrial cancer.
If you have been diagnose with PCOS, there are many resources available for support.
Join a group online to help you to deal with the emotional aspects of dealing with PCOS.
Talk with your doctor about how to reduce the effects of PCOS on your body and your chances of conceiving.
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