PCOS Demystified: What Every Woman Should Know
Are you a female? If yes, have you ever heard about polycystic ovary syndrome? Also referred to as PCOS in short, polycystic ovary syndrome is a very common hormonal disorder affecting an estimated 6-13% of reproductive-aged women worldwide. However, not everyone is aware of the symptoms, long-term effects, and how PCOS can be managed.
To understand how PCOS is managed, you first need to know what it is and how it is caused.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is nothing but a metabolic disorder marked by an overabundance of male sex hormones, where women tend to have a lot of eggs in their ovaries, and yet they are not released regularly.
PCOS is a chronic condition that can increase the risk of several long-term health complications. It is often related to issues such as uterine cancer, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, and more.
If you wish to check whether you have PCOS or not, you can visit a trusted gynec hospital in Nikol or nearby your area to get it checked.
What are The Symptoms of PCOS?
PCOS is a diverse condition, with symptoms that can differ significantly from person to person. The symptoms can begin as early as adolescence and continue after menopause.
PCOS can affect women of all body types, regardless of their size, shape, or weight.
The most common symptoms are:
- Obesity
- Elevated levels of male hormones
- Weight gain or the inability to lose weight
- Insulin resistance
- Irregular periods
- Enlarged ovaries that contain follicles
- Unwanted male-like hair growth on the face, chest, abdomen or back
What Causes PCOS?
While the exact cause of PCOS isn’t fully understood, experts suspect that a few key factors are involved.
Increased androgen or male hormones: All people with a uterus make small amounts of androgen. However, PCOS patients produce more androgen than is typical. Increased levels of androgen can stop ovulation and cause other common PCOS symptoms like extra hair growth and acne.
Insulin resistance: A key hormone involved in converting food into energy is insulin, which is produced by the pancreas and may also cause PCOS. When the body becomes resistant to insulin, blood sugar levels rise, prompting the pancreas to produce even more insulin. This extra insulin spike can trigger an increase in male hormone levels, which may interfere with ovulation.
How is PCOS Diagnosed?
PCOS can occur in people with a uterus at any time after puberty. However, this disease requires a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning a physician rules out other conditions that can cause the symptoms, like irregular menstruation.
To be considered for a PCOS diagnosis, a woman needs to meet two out of these three criteria:
- Polycystic ovaries aren’t actually filled with cysts, they contain fluid-filled sacs called follicles that surround the eggs
- Irregular periods
- Lab results or clinical signs indicating elevated levels of male hormones(androgens)
Treatment of PCOS
In reality, there is no cure for PCOS, but there are treatments that can improve symptoms.
Women who have irregular periods, trouble getting pregnant or have too much hair growth and acne should speak to a lady gynecologist in Nikol or a nearby area.
However, there is no cure for PCOS, but it can be controlled through certain lifestyle changes. Having a healthy diet and routine exercise can help maintain weight and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
You can also use birth control pills to help regulate periods and ease PCOS symptoms, but it is best to consult a doctor before that.
If you are trying to get pregnant, doctors will typically prescribe you medicines to stimulate ovulation and the subsequent release of an egg.
Conclusion
Understanding PCOS is the first step toward managing it effectively. With the right guidance, lifestyle choices, and medical support, women can take control of their health and lead a balanced life.
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