Natural Health Alternatives Blog

PCOS or Polycystic ovary syndrome is referred to as hormonal condition that is often present in women of reproductive age and may cause prolonged or irregular periods or an excess of male hormone known as androgen. This may cause ovaries to properly produce and release eggs and can cause fluid follicles to collect in the ovaries. Prolonged symptoms, if left untreated, can lead to life-long diseases such as diabetes or heart diseases. Some diabetic drugs or birth control pills can help manage symptoms. controlled by Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinising hormone (LH).

It is a problem that affects more than 26% women in the age group of 15-44 and most of them don’t even know that they have it. A women’s ovaries produce oestrogen, progesterone both hormones that regulate the menstrual system. A small amount of male hormone androgen is also produced. The healthy ovaries release eggs that can be fertilised by the male sperm. This release of the egg is called ovulation which is controlled by Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and Luteinising hormone (LH). PCOS, however, tips the balance of this whole process and adversely effects the ovaries and the process of ovulation, causing infertility in most causes. Here are the main characteristics of PCOS syndrome:

•    Ovarian cysts

•    Skipped or irregular periods

•    High levels of androgen or male hormone

Polycystic means many cysts which are referred to as the number of fluid-filled sacs that grow inside the ovaries, each containing an immature egg. As these eggs never mature, ovulation doesn’t occur.

What Are The Causes Of PCOS?

Although doctors don’t exactly know what causes PCOS, they have pinpointed some causes that are common in PCOS patients, such as:

•    Genetics

•    Insulin resistance

•    Obesity or sudden increase in weight

•    Inflammation

Symptoms

The symptoms of PCOS can often develop around puberty or during first menstrual periods. However, in many cases they may develop later in life due to substantial increase in weight. The symptoms may vary among women. Some common signs are:

•    Excessive production of androgen resulting in increased growth in facial hair, body hair, male-pattern baldness and severe acne

•    Irregular periods, prolonged menstrual cycles and infrequency in periods

•    Polycystic ovaries in which ovaries become enlarged and have eggs that are surrounded by follicles, which render the ovaries to be enlarged and unable to function properly.

•    Heavy bleeding

•    Headaches due to hormonal changes

•    Darkening of the skin like dark creases around the neck, groin or under the breasts

•    Weight gain which effects more than 80% of PCOS patients

PCOS can adversely affect the body causing infertility, metabolic syndrome, low LDL, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, cholesterol, heart disease, and the risk of stroke. It can also cause premature birth, increased chances of stillbirth or miscarriages, type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, cancer of the uterine lining, abnormal uterine bleeding, eating disorders and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Treatment

Your doctor may prescribe some lifestyle changes such as weight loss, increased physical activity and a low-calorie diet with fewer fats and carbohydrates. Your doctor may also recommend medications such as:

•    Clomiphene or clomid

•    Combination of birth control pills

•    Metformin

If nothing works, your doctor may prescribe a surgery called ovarian drilling to make tiny holes in the ovary with laser for the restoration of ovulation.