What is the PCOS condition?
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition that affects women’s hormone levels. Women produce more male hormones than they should, called androgens.
It affects a woman’s ovaries that produce hormones called astrogen and progesterone. They regulate the menstrual cycle.
PCOS is a condition that acts on ovulation.
The main free symptoms are;
Irregular period
High levels of male hormone
Cystic in the ovaries
Hair growth
Heavy bleeding
Acne
Weight gain
Headaches
Dark skin
When women suffer from PCOS, they develop a small sack full of fluid that grows inside their ovaries. These sacks contain eggs that never mature enough to activate ovulation.
Absence of ovulation makes the level of hormones uneven. The levels of some hormones are higher and some lower. The male hormone, androgen, is much higher and this causes disruption of the menstrual cycle. Higher levels of male hormones in women make them get fewer periods.
What causes it?
The exact cause of PCOS is still unknown.
However, the inflammation, insulin resistance, genes might be associated with high androgen production.
How does PCOS affect the body?
Infertility - if there is no ovulation or no regular ovulation it is hard to get pregnant
Metabolic syndrome - up to 80% of women who suffer from PCOS are overweight or obese. That leads to high blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, low good cholesterol (HDL) and high bad cholesterol (LDL).
Depression - hormonal changes can cause depression and mood swings.
Endometrial cancer - during ovulation the lining of. While there is no ovulation, the shedding cannot happen and is building up. This might cause an increased risk of endometrial cancer.
How to treat PCOS with mediation?
Birth control - pills
Metformin - will improve insulin level
Clomiphene - it is a fertility drug that helps to get present
Hair removal medication
Surgery - ovarian drilling that will make holes in ovaries which helps with restoring ovulation
If you missed periods, have excess hair growth or try to get pregnant for more than a year, contact your doctor.
Lifestyle changes together with medical treatment can heal this condition.
Make sure you seek doctor advice if you have any concerns.
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