What every woman must know about polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Published April 12, 2022, 10:36 AM

by MB Lifestyle

Have you ever heard of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? If you are a woman in your reproductive years and trying to get pregnant, chances are you may have heard of this condition that affects women of all ages. In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that over 116 million women (3.4 percent) are affected by PCOS worldwide.

What is PCOS? Polycystic ovary syndrome is a type of hormonal imbalance in women. The exact cause of PCOS remains unknown, but most experts believe that several factors may play an important role.Research suggests that certain genes may be linked to PCOS. Similarly, high levels of male hormones called androgens, and high levels of insulin are also important factors for the development of PCOS. 

Androgens are a group of hormones that contribute to growth and reproduction in both men and women. The principle androgens are testosterone and androstenedione. Androgens may be called “male hormones,” but both men’s and women’s bodies produce them just in varying amounts. Women with PCOS often have higher than normal levels of androgens, which most often cause acne, excess hair growth, or even male-pattern hair loss.

Women diagnosed with PCOS have higher chances for a number of complications. While the complications vary from woman to woman, the most common is female infertility. This happens because the cysts in the ovaries interfere with normal ovulation. Ovulation refers to that time when a healthy egg is released from the ovaries. When ovulation does not happen, a woman can’t get pregnant.

Other complications of PCOS are diabetes, metabolic syndrome which raises the risk of cardiovascular disease, bleeding from the uterus and a higher risk of uterine cancer, sleep problems, anxiety, and depression.

How is PCOS diagnosed? There is no single test to diagnose PCOS. To help diagnose PCOS, your obstetrician-gynecologist will ask you about your medical and menstrual history, do a physical examination, and request for laboratory tests to confirm the diagnosis of PCOS.  The term polycystic ovariesdescribe the numerous fluid-filled cysts that form in the ovaries. However, this is not the only finding seen among women with this syndrome. The signs and symptoms of PCOS vary, but in general, a diagnosis of PCOS is made when a woman has at least two of these main findings infrequent, irregular, or prolonged menstrual cycle; elevated levels of male hormones that result in physical signs such as excess facial and body hair, severe acne, and male-pattern baldness; and fluid-filled cysts within the ovaries seen by ultrasound examination.

How is PCOS treated? This will depend on your age, symptoms, and whether you want to get pregnant. The main goal of the treatment is to regulate menses, treat metabolic derangements, induce ovulation in women who desire to get pregnant, and to control hyperandrogenic (with the excessive presence of the male sex hormones) features, including acne and excess hair growth.  PCOS is closely linked to metabolic derangements or disorders such as obesity and insulin resistance.

Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise have a big impact in preventing and managing PCOS. In women who are overweight or obese, losing even just five to 10 percent of body weight already helps improve the symptoms of PCOS. In women whose main concern is menstrual irregularity, acne and excess hair, hormonal oral contraceptive pills may help regulate the hormonal imbalance that causes these symptoms. In women with insulin resistance, the diabetes drug called metformin may also help control the blood sugar as well as bring back the normal menstrual cycle. In women who are desirous of pregnancy, fertility medications that may be advised by an infertility specialist.

If you have PCOS or suspect that you may have PCOS, plan regular visits with your primary care doctor or your obstetrician-gynecologist.