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Obstetrics and Gynaecology | Posted on 05/07/2020 by RBH
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome(PCOS), also known as Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) is a condition that affects the level of hormones in a woman of reproductive age. Generally, all human bodies need a certain balance of both ‘male’ and ‘female’ hormones, but in women who have PCOS/PCOD this balance is disturbed and there is more production of male hormones. In PCOS, many small sacs full of fluid tend to grow inside the ovaries. These sacs are follicles that contain an immature egg that never matures enough for ovulation. Due to a lack of ovulation, the hormone levels are altered, causing various problems.
Androgens: Most commonly found in hormones in men but also can be found in women. However, in women with PCOS, the level of hormones is higher than normal.
Insulin: This hormone is responsible for managing the level of blood sugar in the body. In women with PCOS, the way the hormone may not function effectively to counteract diabetes.
Progesterone: This hormone is responsible for periods and with PCOS there is a shortage of this particular hormone in the body leading to irregularity in periods or no periods at all.
This tends to create problems with the ovaries – there can be irregularity in periods or no periods, formation of cysts, and in extreme cases infertility. Even if a woman suffering from PCOS gets pregnant, she is likely to have higher chances of miscarriage, preeclampsia, high blood pressure due to pregnancy, and premature delivery. There can also be several other problems such as excessive hair growth on the face and body, baldness, acne, and obesity. Moreover, associated health risks include:
Genes: If someone in the family such as a mother or sister is suffering from PCOS – there is a higher chance of the individual being affected by the condition.
Excess production of insulin in the body: Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps the body use sugar from food for energy. When cells of the body are not able to use insulin appropriately, they demand more insulin, causing the pancreas to produce more insulin to compensate. This in turn leads to ovaries increasing the production of male hormones in the body – causing PCOS.
Low-grade inflammation: Low-grade inflammation has been linked to excess production of androgen – a hormone whose excess production triggers PCOS. Low-grade inflammation can be due to obesity.
That said, PCOS is a common problem and is treatable if detected timely. Early diagnosis and effective treatment aided with sustainable weight loss can help reduce long-term complications of PCOS.
The time when a woman starts experiencing PCOS symptoms varies greatly on the intensity of the condition. While some women experience symptoms during the first period, some others might not witness any symptoms until they have gained excessive weight or have trouble getting pregnant. It may years for some women to diagnose their condition and get appropriate treatment.
Some of the common symptoms that can help with the diagnosis of PCOS are:
Problem with Periods: The most common and significant symptom of PCOS is irregularity or absence of periods. PCOS causes a lack of ovulation which prevents the lining of the uterus to shed monthly, causing issues with periods such as irregular periods or absence of periods. A woman with PCOS gets less than 8 periods yearly on average.
Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Apart from problems with periods, women suffering from PCOS are also likely to experience heavy menstrual bleeding during periods. This happens because the uterine line builds up for a time longer than usual, causing excessive bleeding.
Excessive Hair Growth in Unwanted Areas: Another troubling symptom of PCOS that is easy to identify is excessive growth of hair in areas such as the face, breast, stomach, thumb, toes, back, etc. This condition is particularly referred to as ‘hirsutism’.
Hair Loss: Simultaneous with the excessive growth of hair in unwanted areas, women with PCOS tend to experience extreme hair loss or thinning from the head. This symptom tends to intensify with age.
Weight Problems: Women with PCOS suffer from overweight issues; they either tend to be overweight or have a hard time losing weight. More than half of the women with PCOS are overweight or obese.
Acne or Oily Skin: Though these are general problems, but they can indicate PCOS in some women. Hormonal changes triggered by PCOS tend to cause breakouts in form of acne on the face, chest, and back. Moreover, due to the excessive production of male hormones caused by PCOS – the skin becomes oiler than usual.
Darkening of the Skin: In women suffering from PCOS, dark patches of skin can develop in the creases on the neck, in the groin, under the breasts, etc.
Headaches: Changes in hormonal levels caused due to PCOS can cause headaches in some women.
Infertility: Infertility or problems in getting pregnant can be an indication of PCOS.
Sleep Issues: Most women with PCOS tend to have trouble falling asleep – a disorder known as sleep apnea. Moreover, even after a restful sleep, these women tend to experience fatigue and feel tired all the time.
Two or more of these symptoms indicate that there may be a PCOS problem. Hence, it is better to be alert for symptoms so that effective medical help can be sought timely. Early diagnosis and treatment help to better manage the condition.
The treatment for PCOS will depend on condition-to-condition. Some women might experience symptoms that they would want to be treated individually and at a priority; such women experiencing issues with getting pregnant will seek PCOS treatment that helps them improve fertility, whereas women who experience acne and other skin issues might seek treatment to improve skin health and reduce acne breakouts. Hence, the treatment of PCOS depends on the goal of the patient. That said, PCOD cannot be permanently cured, it can only be treated to manage symptoms and improve health generally. That said, the primary treatment for PCOS is the adoption of a healthy lifestyle and habits, followed by medication.
Overall, even though PCOS cannot be entirely cured, it can be very easily managed provided it is detected timely and appropriate treatment is received.
