The exact cause of this condition is unknown. As well as reducing weight, early diagnosis and treatment can reduce complications.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a hormonal problem that occurs during the reproductive years. A person with this condition may miss periods very often. On the other hand, you are likely to have periods that last for several days. Also, there is a possibility that you have an excess of hormones called androgens in your body.
“In the case of PCOS, many small sacs of fluid form along the outer edge of the ovary. These sacs are called cysts”, refers to the Mayo Clinic on its website. “Small, fluid-filled cysts contain immature eggs. These cysts are called follicles. The follicles do not release eggs regularly,” he adds.
The exact cause of this syndrome is unknown. Early diagnosis and treatment with weight loss can reduce the risk of long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Symptom
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms vary and often appear around the time of the first menstrual period. Sometimes they happen later, after you’ve had several periods.
The said organization specializing in health issues states that polycystic ovary syndrome is diagnosed when a woman presents at least two of the following conditions: irregular menstruation, androgen excess and polycystic ovaries. In the latter situation, the ovary may be larger than normal. Several follicles containing immature eggs may develop around the edge of the ovary. The ovaries may not work the way they should.
Infrequent or irregular periods are common symptoms of PCOS. The same is true for menstruation that lasts several days or is longer than normal for a given period.
“For example, you may have fewer than nine periods a year. Also, those periods may be more than 35 days apart. This can make it difficult to get pregnant,” refers to the Mayo Clinic. Is.
High levels of the hormone androgen can lead to excess hair on the face and body. This is known as hirsutism. Sometimes severe acne and male pattern baldness may also appear.
The signs and symptoms of PCOS are usually more severe in obese people.
The Mayo Clinic advocates seeing a health care provider when menstruation is a concern, when there are problems getting pregnant, or when there are signs of androgen excess. These can include increased hair growth on the face and body, acne and male pattern baldness.
Complications
Many complications can occur in people suffering from this condition. These include infertility, gestational diabetes or high blood pressure due to pregnancy, miscarriage or premature birth, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, severe liver inflammation due to accumulation of fat in the liver; metabolic syndrome, which is a group of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar levels, and abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels that significantly increase the risk of heart and blood vessel disease; Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety and eating disorders, and cancer of the lining of the uterus (endometrial cancer).
There is no single test to specifically diagnose PCOS.
The health care provider may recommend a pelvic exam to look for tumors, lumps, or other changes; Blood tests to measure hormone levels and ultrasound, which can check for the presence of ovaries and the thickness of the uterine lining.
Because PCOS has a wide range of symptoms, health professionals may use a variety of treatments depending on your symptoms and other health problems.
Specific treatment may require lifestyle changes and the use of medications, which should only be prescribed by specialists.
