Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

During their reproductive years, women may develop the hormonal disorder known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). You may get infrequent periods if you have PCOS. Or your period can last for many days. Your body may be overproducing androgen hormone.

PCOS causes a number of small, fluid-filled sacs to form around the border of the ovary. We call them cysts. The little fluid-filled cysts contain immature eggs. We refer to them as follicles. Eggs are not usually released by the follicles.

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. Along with losing weight, early detection and treatment may lower the chance of long-term issues, including type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Symptoms

PCOS symptoms often start to show around the time of the first menstrual cycle. After you have been having periods for a while, symptoms might occasionally appear later.

PCOS has a range of symptoms.

Irregular intervals. Having irregular or infrequent menstrual cycles is a typical symptom of PCOS. Having periods that are longer than usual or last for many days is also an issue. For example, your yearly period count may be less than nine. Furthermore, these intervals could be longer than thirty-five days. You can have trouble becoming pregnant.

An excess of testosterone. High amounts of androgen may be the cause of excessive body and facial hair. This is known as hirsutism. Severe acne and male pattern baldness are also possible.

Ovaries with many cysts. It is possible that your ovaries are bigger. There may form a number of follicles with immature eggs along the ovary's border. 

When to see a doctor

A doctor should be seen if you are experiencing problems becoming pregnant, are concerned about your periods, or show signs of excess androgen. Examples include male-pattern baldness, acne, and new facial and body hair development.

Causes

resistance to insulin. One hormone that the pancreas produces is insulin. It enables the body's main energy source, sugar, to be used by cells. Blood sugar may rise if cells develop resistance to insulin's effects. Consequently, your body may attempt to reduce the blood sugar level by generating more insulin.

Your body may create too much androgen, a male hormone, if your insulin levels are too high. You may experience issues with ovulation, the process by which eggs are released from the ovary.

Dark, velvety skin patches under the breasts, in the crotch, armpits, or lower neck region are one indication of insulin resistance. Increased hunger and weight gain might be additional symptoms.

Inconvenience of subpar quality. When white blood cells get infected or injured, they discharge chemicals. Low-grade inflammation is the term for this reaction. People with PCOS have polycystic ovaries that generate androgens due to a low-grade, persistent inflammation. Heart and blood vascular issues might arise from this.

inheritance. According to research, certain genes may be connected to PCOS. A family history of PCOS may contribute to the development of the disorder.

excessive androgen. In PCOS, the ovaries may create large amounts of androgen. Too much androgen interferes with ovulation. This suggests that eggs are not consistently formed and are not released from the follicles where they mature. Acne and hirsutism are further side effects of high testosterone.

Complications

PCOS problems include:

• Unable to conceive
• Pregnancy-related hypertension or gestational diabetes
• Miscarriage or infertility

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a severe liver inflammation, is brought on by fat buildup in the liver.

The metabolic syndrome, a collection of illnesses that significantly increases your risk of heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease, includes high blood pressure, excessive blood sugar, and poor cholesterol or triglyceride levels.

Complications

Complications of PCOS can include:

• Lack of fertility
• Diabetes during pregnancy or hypertension brought on by pregnancy
• preterm birth or miscarriage
• Fat accumulation in the liver causes nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, a severe liver inflammation.

The metabolic syndrome is a collection of disorders that significantly increases your risk of heart disease. Blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease, bad cholesterol or triglyceride levels, high blood pressure, and excessive blood sugar are all included.

• Diabetes type 2 or prediabetes
• Apnea in sleep, anxiety, depression, and eating problems
• Endometrial cancer is a kind of uterine lining cancer.
• PCOS is frequently associated with obesity, which can exacerbate its consequences.

Reference:  https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439