What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
Infertility in women is due to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
Ovaries consist of follicles (fluid-filled sacs). These follicles mature and break open to release an egg, from fallopian tube to the uterus. But in few women immature follicles cluster together and form into large cysts in the ovary. So the follicles don't break open when eggs mature within these clustered follicles to release them. Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome usually don’t have menstrual periods, or they have infrequent periods. PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder of women.
Symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
The ovary secretes higher levels of testosterone and estrogens which results in:-
1. an irregular or no menstrual cycle
2. Usually have the problem of oily skin, acne, or dandruff
3. Hypertension
4. Have pelvic pain
5. Because of no ovulation women is incapable to get pregnant.
6. It is being noticed that PCOS women have increased growth of hair on their face, stomach, back, thumbs, chest, or toes.
7. Have the problem of obesity, usually have fat waist
8. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes.
9. Have patches of thickened dark brown or black skin around the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
10. Snoring a lot during sleeping.
Tests used to diagnose Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is not diagnosed by taking just one single test. Doctors’ takes full medical record and then examines you by checking your hormone levels and measures glucose levels within your blood. Ultrasounds are used to look for cysts in the ovaries and to see if the internal structures appear normal.
If during examination it is been found that you are producing too many male hormones the doctor will confirm it that it’s because of PCOS. Doctor allows the natural hair growth for a few days and then evaluates the areas of greater than before hair growth.
If you are diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome your doctor may order few tests like lipid profiles and glucose levels to observe your risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease lining of the uterus. The uterine lining becomes thick if you have been having irregular periods.
Few Laboratory Tests which are undertaken to diagnose Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS):-
Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
Lutenizing Hormone (LH)
LH/FSH ratio.
Prolactin
Testosterone,
DHEAS Estrogens
Sex hormone binding globulin
Androstenedione
Human chorionic gonadotropin
Comprehensive metabolic panel
Lipid profile (low HDL, high LDL, and cholesterol, elevated triglycerides)
Glucose, fasting or a glucose tolerance, may be elevated
Insulin
How is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) treated?
Because there is no cure for PCOS, it needs to be managed to prevent problems. Treatments are based on the symptoms each patient is having and whether she wants to conceive or needs contraception. Below are descriptions of treatments used for PCOS.
Birth control pills. Women use birth control pills to protect pregnancy. These birth control pills regulates:-
1. menstrual cycles,
2. reduces male hormone levels,
3. helps to clear acne.
Birth control pill does not cure PCOS. The menstrual cycle becomes abnormal again once you stop consuming pill.
Medicine for increased hair growth or extra male hormones. There are some medicines to reduce grow of hair growth. There are many non-medical treatments such as electrolysis or laser hair removal for getting rid of hair. hormonal treatment can also be used to stop new hair from growing.
Fertility Medications. Lack of ovulation is the main fertility problem with women. Before women are treated on fertility medicines their husband’s sperm count also checked and her tubes checked to make sure they are open before fertility medications are used. Fertility pill Clomiphene and shots Gonadotropins are used to arouse the ovary to ovulate. Patients who used fertility medications usually have multiple births. However at times IVF (In vitro Fertilization) is suggested to control the chance of having triplets or more.
Diabetes Medicines:-. The medicines which are used to treat type 2 diabetes are also helpful for treating PCOS symptoms. Metformin works like insulin in regulating glucose and decreasing the testosterone production. Diabetes medicines regulates abnormal hair growth and returns ovulation and will also prevent a person from becoming diabetic.
Surgery :- Surgery doesn't help reduce increased hair growth and loss of scalp hair. Surgery is never recommended as a first course of treatment, ovarian drilling surgery is used to induce ovulation. a very small incision is made above or below the navel, and a small telescope like instrument is inserted into the abdomen. This process is called laparoscopy. To destroy a small portion of the ovary it is punctured with a small needle carrying an electric current. This procedure is very risky as there is a risk of developing scar tissue on the ovary. This surgery lowers male hormone levels and helps ovulation. But these effects may only last a few months.
Reducing Obesity : - Maintaining a healthy weight is another way by which women can help in managing PCOS. Reducing obesity by having healthy diet and doing physical activities helps in maintaining a healthy weight. Use of insulin helps the body glucose levels to reduce more efficiently and helps restore a normal period. If women manages to reduce 10% of her body weight it makes her cycle more regular.. Since obesity is common
