Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Women who struggle with infertility issues may have more to contend with than just the inability to get pregnant.  Polycystic ovary syndrome is a problem which can affect as many as one in 15 women and often times the symptoms began in the teen years.  Diagnosis and early treatment is important to help control the symptoms and prevent long-term problems such as diabetes, permanent infertility and heart disease.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (POS) is a problem when a woman\’s hormones get out of balance.  This causes problems with menstrual periods and makes it difficult to become pregnant.  Polycystic ovarian syndrome can also cause unwanted changes in the way that a woman looks.

The cause of polycystic ovarian syndrome is unknown at this time.  Researchers theorize that there is more than one factor playing a role in the development of the condition.  One factor may be genetic because women with the condition tend to have a mother or sister who also suffers.  Researchers also believe that insulin may be linked because it is the hormone that controls the change of sugar into starch and responsible for storage of energy for the body to use or store.

Many women who suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome have problems using insulin which creates an excess of insulin in the body.  This excess of insulin appears to increase the production of androgen.  Levels of androgen that is higher than normal can increase the risk of acne, excessive hair growth, weight gain and problems with ovulation.  All of these symptoms are at the outward appearance of a woman who is experiencing polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Not all women share the same symptoms. Other symptoms may include infrequent menstrual periods or irregular bleeding, increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach and back, ovarian cysts and high cholesterol.  Women may also experience high blood pressure, male pattern baldness, patches of thicker or brown skin, excessive skin tags, pelvic pain and sleep apnea.

Women who are approaching menopause may or may not see changes in their symptomatology.  Many other symptoms may persist even though the ovaries lose their ability to function and the hormone levels decrease.  For instance, excessive hair growth will continue and male pattern baldness will get worse after menopause.  The risk of complications from polycystic ovarian syndrome such as heart attack, stroke and diabetes will also increase as a woman gets older.

Because physicians have been unable to pinpoint one specific cause for the condition there is also no one single test to diagnose.  Physicians will rely on a medical history, physical examination and also use other testing in order to rule out other causes for the symptoms.  A vaginal ultrasound may be used to examine the ovaries and to look at the endometrium.  Women may also have blood tests drawn to check for hormone levels and to measure glucose levels in the blood.

There is no current cure for polycystic ovary syndrome and it needs to be managed to prevent the problems that can occur in the long term.  Treatment goals are based on the symptoms the woman is experiencing and whether or not she wishes to become pregnant.  Goals are also to decrease the chances of having a heart disease or diabetes.

Some treatments for polycystic ovarian syndrome include the use of birth control pills, medications to treat diabetes, fertility medications to assist women in becoming pregnant and medications to stop the production of androgen and help clear acne.  Some physicians will use surgery to assist a woman in becoming pregnant and to help lower male hormone levels.  Researchers do know that by keeping a healthy weight, eating healthy foods and exercising many women can help manage their own polycystic ovarian syndrome.