What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a result of a hormonal disorder commonly found in women of reproductive age. These affected women may have a variety of symptoms or even no symptoms at all. They can have one or several symptoms and to various degrees of severity.
The common symptoms include irregular or infrequent or prolonged menses and signs of excess male hormone (androgen) levels (facial acne, excess facial and body hair called hirsutism and even male pattern baldness). A fair number of PCOS patients tend to be obese and the symptoms and signs of PCOS tend to be more severe in this group.
How do you detect PCOS?
An ultrasound scan may show that the ovaries appear to have numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) in the periphery of the ovary (like a chain of black pearls on ultrasound scan) and fail to regularly release eggs (anovulation) on a monthly basis. For PCOS women who do not ovulate, they may then experience infertility. Other complications associated with PCOS include miscarriages, gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced hypertension, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, fatty liver, anxiety, depression, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, and even uterine cancer.
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown but may be hereditary. Long-term complications of PCOS such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease can be reduced with early diagnosis and treatment along with weight loss measures.
