Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ( PCOS) - Reason, Symptoms, and Treatment
A condition that impacts a women's hormone level is called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Women with PCOS develop more male hormones as compared to a standard level. Eventually making this woman skip their menstrual period and makes it difficult for them to get pregnant.
Symptoms
Signs and symptoms vary with different individuals. However, you can take a diagnosis test if you are experiencing any of these two symptoms:
- Irregular periods: Having irregular periods is the most common sign that is usually experienced by every woman suffering from PCOS. They might have periods that last for more than nine days or do not have periods on regular basis.
- Polycystic Ovaries: Your ovaries might grow bigger than usual. Many follicles carrying immature eggs might develop around the boundary of the ovary making it difficult to perform the way it should work.
- Increase in the level of androgens: High level of androgen might result in excess facial and body hair. Sometimes, male-pattern baldness or thinning hair can develop too.
Reason
The accurate cause of PCOS is unknown. A lot of women with PCOS have insulin resilience. This complicates for the body to use insulin. This might cause an increase in the androgen levels. It can also lead to obesity and worsen the symptoms of PCOS.
Treatment
Based on your health conditions your doctor will provide treatments. Also, the treatments vary based on whether you want to get pregnant or not.
Listed below are the treatments for women who are not planning to get pregnant:
Medicine to stop the increasing level of androgens: Few medicines can restrict the increasing level of androgen. Resulting in controlling excess acne or hair growth caused due to PCOS.
Birth Control: Taking birth control pills, patches, or using a vaginal ring can restore normal hormone balance and protect against endometrial cancer.
Changes in Lifestyle: Maintaining weight and eating a healthy diet causes a positive impact on insulin levels.
PCOS treatment for women who are planning to get pregnant includes:
In Vitro Fertilization: A small procedure where the egg is fertilized with the sperm in the lab and then inserted into the uterus.
Surgery: A minor surgery called Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (LOD) might be an ideal option to treat fertility disorders caused due to PCOS that are getting cured by medicines.
PCOS can disturb a woman’s menstrual life cycle and make it difficult to conceive. So it is important to seek your doctor if you have skipped periods or you notice excessive hair growth or acne on your face or body.