PCOS refers to Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. This is a condition in which a woman experiences the growth of a number of cysts on the ovaries, and will experience hormonal irregularities that can interfere with fertility and cause other problems.

As with many other health concerns, genetics may be an important factor in PCOS. Some research suggests that the female children of a woman with PCOS have somewhere around a 50% chance of developing PCOS themselves. Frequently, a woman who has PCOS will have a mother or a sister who also has PCOS.

Other studies suggest an important link between PCOS and a variety of hormonal changes. These can include:

- Androgens. Androgens are hormones that can cause a variety of problems, such as hair appearing in odd places and acne, and it can also interfere with the process of ovulation.

- Ovarian hormones. The hormones that trigger ovulation are an important part of a woman’s cycle. If these hormones are not at the correct levels, the ovaries will not relapse an egg each month and ovulation will not occur.

- Insulin and blood sugar. Roughly 50% of the women who suffer from PCOS will have difficulty with the way that there body uses insulin. This is known as insulin resistance. Insulin resistance causes their blood sugar levels to grow to dangerous levels. IN some instances, this can even lead to diabetes.

The earliest symptoms of PCOS can be varied. For some women, the first symptoms of PCOS are that they are having very few or even no periods. This typically is measured by having less than 9 periods in a twelve month timeframe. Some women with PCOS will have no period whatsoever. Some will have regular periods, but may not ovulate every month, or at all. Another early symptom of PCOS can be heavy and irregular vaginal bleeding. Around one third of all women with PCOS will have some vaginal bleeding. Another early symptom can be the loss of hair on the head, and growth of hair in other places. More than two thirds of the women who have PCOS experience hair loss or hair growth in unwanted places. For some women with PCOS, oily skin and acne can be symptoms as well.

Later symptoms of PCOS that will typically develop gradually over time can include:

- Infertility. This occurs when PCOS interferes with ovulation.

- Repeated miscarriages. The high insulin levels associated with PCOS can sometimes be responsible for miscarriages.

- Hyperinsulinemia, or too much insulin. This can lead to many of the other symptoms. Signs of too much insulin can include weight gain in the upper body, skin tags, and patches of dark skin on the neck, in the genital area, or under the arm.

- Weight gain in the upper body. This weight gain would typically be concentrated in the belly, as opposed to the hips.

- Sleep apnea or other sleeping problems.

- Chronic pelvic pain.

- High blood pressure.

There is no known cure for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). However, there are certain treatments that are often used to address the symptoms of PCOS. They symptoms of PCOS can include irregular or missing periods, irregular ovulation, or anovulation, vaginal bleeding, loss of hair on the head, and growth of hair in other places, oily skin and acne, Infertility, Repeated miscarriages, Hyperinsulinemia, or too much insulin, Weight gain in the upper body, Sleep apnea or other sleeping problems, Chronic pelvic pain, and high blood pressure.

Some health care providers will recommend diabetic medications, such as Metformin, to help the patient with PCOS. Also known as Glucophage, this medication impacts the way that insulin regulates glucose, and it also helps to cause a decrease in the production of testosterone. This can help ovulation to return, and can also help to slow down the irregular hair growth.

Another possible treatment for PCOS, for the woman who doesn’t want to get pregnant, is birth control pills. The pill can help keep the menstrual cycle regular, and it can also reduce the levels of male hormones. Birth control pills may also help to clear acne.

Birth control pills are not always a good option, however. Many women who have PCOS only discover that they have it because they are trying to conceive. In these cases, Clomid or other fertility medications may be used to help the woman’s ovulatory cycle stabilize. These medications may help control other side effects, as well.

There are medications available that will also help with the extra male hormones present in the woman’s systems. Spironolactone is a medication that is typically used for blood pressure, but is also known to help reduce hair growth. Some research suggests that Propecia, a medication used by men to combat hair loss, can also help with unwanted hair.

There are surgical options for the woman with PCOS as well. A process known as “ovarian drilling” is sometimes used to help start ovulation. This laparoscopic procedure is fairly non-invasive, but does carry certain risks and is not a permanent solution.

Related Posts:

• What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
• Chinese Medicine Treatment And Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
• Herbal Medicine For Treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Treatment
• Can Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Hurt My Fertility?
• What Precautions Should I Take If I Am Diabetic And Would Like To Get Pregnant?
• Premature Ovarian Failure
• What Are The Most Common Fertility Problems in Women?
• Going To See The Doctor - The Fertility Workup
• Can Obesity or High Cholesterol Affect FSH Levels?
• How Will My Irregular Periods Affect My Ability To Get Pregnant?
• When Should We Get Our FSH Levels Checked?

This entry was posted under Fertility Issues.