Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones affecting 5% to 10% of women of reproductive age.
The ovaries make the egg that is released each month as part of a healthy menstrual cycle. With PCOS, the egg may not develop as it should or it may not be released during ovulation as it should be.
PCOS is characterized by high levels of androgens (male hormones such as testosterone) from the ovary and is associated with insulin resistance.
PCOS can cause missed or irregular menstrual periods. Irregular periods can lead to:
- infertility or the inability to get pregnant. In fact, PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility.
- development of cysts (small fluid-filled sacs) in the ovaries
How do I know if I have PCOS?
There is no exact known cause of PCOS and doctors believe that some women have a predisposition to it and that it may be hereditary.
PCOS appears to follow family and ethnic lines, which means it is more common in certain groups such as Indigenous, Asian and North African women.
Also, lifestyle patterns such as the way we eat and exercise can make the condition better or worse. Increased weight also increases the likelihood of developing PCOS.
Symptoms of PCOS
Initially, many of the symptoms of PCOS — acne, obesity, excessive hair growth and irregular periods — are viewed as unpleasant but unrelated.
The first most common symptom of this condition is irregular periods or weight gain but if that’s not the case, PCOS can largely go undetected.
If periods are largely irregular and not treated over a long duration, then the risk of uterine cancer also goes up.
Mood swings and experiencing bouts of depression could also be milder symptoms of PCOS. Besides that, excessive facial and body hair also known as hirsutism, hair loss from head (alopecia), diabetes, infertility, acne, oily skin, coronary heart disease, migraines, weight gain around the mid section, difficulties losing weight, intense cravings for carbohydrates, and hypoglycemic episodes are other symptoms.
Many women are not diagnosed until the symptoms become advanced, or until they experience difficulty with conceiving.
How is PCOS diagnosed?
There is no single, quick test to identify PCOS. Accurate diagnosis depends on the experienced skills of the health care provider, a detailed medical history, and laboratory studies.
If you think you may have PCOS its always best to schedule an appointment with your primary physician, gynecologist, or contact an endocrinologist rather than self diagnosing the symptoms.
Your physician will then order the following blood tests to determine if you indeed have PCOS:
- luteinizing hormone test (LH)
- follicle stimulating hormone test (FSH)
- DHEAS sulfate
- total and free testosterone
- fasting glucose
- fasting insulin
- transvaginal or abdominal pelvic ultrasound
What are the potential complications of PCOS?
Women with PCOS have a higher risk of developing:
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- high cholesterol
- anxiety and depression
- sleep apnea (when a person stops breathing periodically during sleep)
- endometrial cancer (cancer caused by thickening of the lining of the uterus)
- heart attack
- diabetes
- breast cancer
Can a person diagnosed with PCOS be able to conceive?
If one intends to become pregnant, that person may be referred to a doctor who specializes in high-risk pregnancies and various treatment options will be discussed. Women with PCOS have a higher rate of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, and premature delivery. They may need extra monitoring during pregnancy.
The earlier PCOS is diagnosed and treated, the lower are the risks of developing these complications. Avoiding tobacco products, alcohol consumption, participating in regular exercise and following a sound PCOS friendly nutrition plan can reduce the risk of these complications.
It is always best to talk to a doctor about what PCOS means for your overall health and how you can prevent serious complications.
