What Is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

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 We often get questions from women suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, PCOS.

In Nigeria, we pay a lot of attention to how people who have fibroid and yet relatively little attention is paid to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a health condition that affects an estimated 1 in 10 women.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is characterized by overproduction of testosterone and other androgens (male hormones), which usually causes numerous tiny cysts (polycysts) to surround the ovaries.
What are the symptoms of PCOS?

One of the most common symptoms of PCOS is missed periods. The hormone imbalances of PCOS can interfere with monthly ovulation, causing missed menstrual periods and leading to infertility.

Some common signs and symptoms to look for are:

  • Irregular menstrual cycles
  • Irregular periods also called Oligomenorrhea
  • Weight gain, Overweight (difficulty losing weight)
  • Difficulty losing weight
  • Excess hair growth on face and body- called Hirsutism
  • Darkened patches of skin
  • Infertility

Lack of ovulation is usually found with women suffering from PCOS. Studies have shown that 70% of women diagnosed with PCOS have infertility.

  • Thinning hair
  • Insulin resistance
  • Type 2 Diabetes

Because PCOS involves insulin resistance, women with PCOS have a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and about 30 to 40 percent already have pre-diabetes.

  • High cholesterol and high triglycerides
  • High blood pressure

Women with PCOS also have a four- to sevenfold higher risk of having a heart attack than women of the same age who don’t have PCOS. Some of this increased risk is due to insulin resistance, but women with PCOS also tend to have higher LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol and higher triglycerides (blood fats) than women without PCOS.

  • Cysts on the ovaries (multiple)
  • Pelvic pain

Unfortunately, not all women with PCOS have the same symptoms, so it can be difficult to diagnose. Some women have PCOS for years without a diagnosis.

What causes it?

The exact cause of PCOS is uncertain, although there is a genetic link. Many women with PCOS have female relatives with PCOS — even if they were never diagnosed. If you think you might have PCOS, it can be helpful to examine your family history.

Look for female relatives on both sides of your family who had problems with fertility or irregular periods, and share this information with your doctor. Some studies have found that if a mother has PCOS, there is a 50% chance that her daughter will have PCOS.

Studies have also shown that approximately 40% of patients with diabetes and/or glucose intolerance between the ages of 20-50 have PCOS.

How can PCOS be treated?

You should consult with your doctor to determine if you have PCOS. Because there is no cure for PCOS, medical management and lifestyle modification are the best ways to treat the syndrome.

Many studies have shown that a healthful diet and regular physical activity can reduce the symptoms and complications of PCOS. In fact, healthy lifestyle behaviors are the first-line treatment for PCOS, even when medication is also used.

While no particular dietary plan has been shown to be superior for treating PCOS, eating a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, lean proteins and healthy fats in amounts that support a healthy weight is ideal.

A healthy diet can also lower insulin and androgen levels, which can reduce many of the physical symptoms, induce ovulation and improve general health.

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