PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) is common in millions of women around the world. It's a complex hormonal disorder that majorly affects women's health. Every woman should have the basic knowledge of PCOS and how to cope with life if you're suffering from it.
PCOS can result from a combination of hormonal imbalances and metabolic abnormalities. Due to this, the small follicles start building in your ovaries and start interfering with your ovulation. Women experience several symptoms that have far-fetched effects and signal them towards PCOS.
Today, we'll learn about PCOS in detail and what impact it has on your life if you're dealing with it.
What Is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that happens when your ovaries (an organ responsible for producing and releasing eggs) start to create excess hormones.
In women suffering from PCOS, their ovaries produce higher levels of hormones called androgens, which makes your hormones imbalanced. Due to this, women with PCOS have irregular menstrual cycles, missed periods for a month, and unsuspected ovulation.
Small follicular cysts (fluid-filled sacs containing immature eggs) may be detected on ultrasound of your ovaries due to a lack of ovulation (anovulation). However, there don't need to be cysts on your ovaries even if you have PCOS since the cysts aren't painful or dangerous.
What Is the Main Cause Of PCOS?
Obesity and higher levels of male hormones called androgens play a significant role in the development of PCOS in a woman. High androgen levels prevent ovaries from releasing eggs which eventually results in irregular and missed periods.
Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
These are the most common symptoms of PCOS:
Irregular periods or no period at all is one of the earliest signs of PCOS. Not only that, but heavy bleeding during the period is also a symptom.
Excess facial hair, especially around your mouth and chin, is a major sign. Not only the face but also the chest, arms, and abdomen.
PCOS is a cause of acne on your chest, back, and face. You might suspect other reasons behind your acne, but it is too difficult to treat.
Obese women are most likely to have PCOS. In fact, 40% to 80% of people with PCOS are obese, and managing weight is difficult for them.
Skin PCOS symptoms include dark neck area, acne, armpits, groin, under your breast, and between your legs are known as acanthosis nigricans. A sign of PCOS.
On ultrasonography, many patients with PCOS have ovaries that seem bigger or have several follicles (egg sac cysts).
Partial baldness and hair thinning also signal PCOS.
PCOS is a leading cause of infertility among assigned females at birth (AFAB). Irregular or infrequent ovulation can lead to difficulties in achieving conception.
What Is the Most Common Treatment for PCOS?
There's no exact treatment for curing PCOS. It all depends on several factors, such as your age, pregnancy desire, medical history, and overall health. It can significantly affect your conceiving, so we must focus on treatments primarily focusing on pregnancy.
Losing weight will eventually reduce its symptoms and help your body maintain insulin resistance, lower blood glucose, and promote ovulation.
You can also take help from certified medications and PCOS supplements to help the ovaries release eggs normally. Remember that these medications might have certain side effects, so must consult a gynecologist beforehand.
Consider these PCOS infertility treatment options if you don't wish to get pregnant:
Birth control pills. These pills will control your periods and lower androgen levels in your body.
Diabetes treatment. This is frequently used to treat insulin resistance in PCOS. It may also help to lower testosterone levels, limit hair development, and make you ovulate more frequently.
Can I Have PCOS With No Symptoms?
Yes, it is absolutely possible to have PCOS, but don't experience any symptoms. Many women aren't even aware of PCOS until they've been trying to conceive for a long time but are unable to.
What Happens When Women with PCOS Get Pregnant?
PCOS and pregnancy are deeply interlinked. We don't mean to scare you at all but women with severe PCOS have a higher chance of miscarriage than people who don't have this condition. However, there are certain PCOS pregnancy symptoms that you should be careful about, like vaginal bleeding, increased fatigue, etc.
What Age Does PCOS Start?
Women and assigned females at birth (AFAB) are most likely to get PCOS any time after they reach puberty. In general, women are mostly diagnosed with PCOS around the late 20s and early 30s, especially when they're trying to conceive. People with obesity and biological history are also at higher risk of PCOS.
What Is the PCOS Treatment for Unmarried Girls?
Unmarried girls can also develop PCOS, which might result in type-2 diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure, heart disease, and cancer of the uterus. You can treat it with medications, a balanced diet, and regular exercise, but there's no permanent cure for this disorder.
When Should I Go to the Doctor for PCOS?
Women having clear symptoms or doubts about Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or women trying to conceive for more than a year should meet with their gynecologist immediately. Your doctor will run some tests on you and diagnose if you have PCOS or not.
How to Lose Weight with PCOS?
The hormone levels imbalance, insulin resistance, and inflammation reflect this medical condition. This makes losing weight nearly impossible for women. But that doesn't mean it's impossible.
Here are a few ways women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) can lose weight:
The first thing you should consider doing is reducing the intake of carbs from your diet to improve insulin resistance.
Increase fiber intake as it makes you feel fuller after a short meal. It's best if you can also increase protein and healthy fats in your diet.
Stay watchful of what you eat and how much you eat.
Avoid added sugar.
Exercise regularly and get adequate sleep.
What’s the Role of Gynecologist in Treating PCOS?
Your gynecologist will determine PCOS natural treatment depending on your symptoms, medical history, and other health issues, as well as your desire to get pregnant. Medication, lifestyle modifications, or a mix of the two can be used as treatments. If you're in Portland, Oregon, then we suggest you meet Dr. Joya for your PCOS. She'll examine you, and if it's confirmed that you have PCOS, she'll recommend you the relevant treatment.
FAQs
What is the main cause of PCOS?
The presence of PCOS symptoms within families implies that the syndrome may be influenced by genetic alterations or mutations in one or multiple genes. Emerging research using animal models indicates that, in certain instances, PCOS could potentially result from genetic or chemical modifications that occur during prenatal development.
How is PCOS prevented?
So, while PCOS cannot be prevented, it may be treated and controlled. Your lifestyle choices have a significant role in the disease's progression. All women are urged to follow a nutritious diet and exercise to maintain their target weight, avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine use, and handle stress.
Can PCOS get pregnant?
PCOS doesn't necessarily prevent pregnancy. It's among the treatable factors contributing to infertility in women. In those with PCOS, hormonal imbalances can disrupt the ovulation process, impacting egg development and release from the ovaries.
Is PCOS Painful?
The ovarian cysts aren't dangerous or painful.
It’s A Wrap!
PCSO (Polycystic ovary syndrome) is common in women, and you don't even realize it for a long time until the unusual symptoms of PCOS are very obvious or you're trying to get pregnant for over a year. PCOS can disturb your menstrual cycle and ovulation. The symptoms are also very disturbing, like acne, facial hair, partial baldness, etc. Just remember to maintain a healthy lifestyle and manage your weight to prevent PCOS.
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