What is PCOS?
Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is an ovulation disorder, which affects 4-6% of all women. Several factors contribute to the disease. At this moment researchers think that the cause of the disease is genetic. The major features of this syndrome are irregular or no menstruation, hirsutism and acne due to high levels of male hormones, obesity (40-50%), high insulin levels with risk of developing diabetes and large polycystic ovaries shown on ultrasound. Women with PCOS usually present at fertility clinics for counseling. To increase fecundity the treatment possibilities are mostly focused on regulation of the menstrual cycle. For this, several drugs are used (clomiphene citrate, metformin, gonadotropins) and weight loss is strongly advised. In many cases the cycle will be ovulatory and regulated by these treatments. Furthermore at this moment it is being investigated whether electrocoagulation of the large ovaries can give (long-term) regulation of the cycles.
Polycystic ovaries, also known as PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), is the most common cause of female infertility in the United States. It is also the most common cause of irregular or absent ovulation and irregular periods. PCOS is characterized by the presence of many small follicles in the ovaries. Fortunately, we now understand the causes of PCOS and are able to treat the majority of women with this condition with relatively simple interventions.
PCOS occurs because of certain hormone imbalances. With PCOS, a woman’s body secretes abnormally high levels of male hormones (androgens) and this counteracts her ovaries’ ability to make enough of the female hormone (progesterone) needed for normal menstruation. Because of the low level of female hormones, women with PCOS typically have fewer periods than most women (called oligomenorrhea) and sometimes have no periods at all (called amenorrhea). Their periods can also be irregular with lengthy bleeding episodes, light or heavy flows, or frequent spotting. Most but not all women with PCOS get small, pea-size cysts on their ovaries. The cysts are caused by follicles (fluid-filled sacs that contain an egg) that have matured in the ovary, but because of the abnormal hormone levels, were never released. In PCOS, one or both of the ovaries can also become enlarged, sometimes up to 1.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, also known as Stein-Leventhal Syndrome or Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOD) occurs when developing follicles that are normally ovulated each cycle actually remain trapped inside the ovary. In time, they fill with fluid and develop into cysts on the internal ovarian wall. A shell develops around the outside of the ovary, which causes ovulation to be unsuccessful. PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility in women. It also may affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, hormones, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. Researchers think insulin could be linked to PCOS. Insulin is a hormone that controls the change of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body to use or store. For many women with PCOS, their bodies do not properly use insulin and thus store unhealthy amounts of it.
It is a genetic hormonal disorder. PCOS symptoms occur because of the body s inability to process insulin correctly, creating an excess of insulin and glucose in the body. This results in an imbalance with other hormones so the body produces more male hormones, preventing ovulation. The most common symptom of PCOS is excess facial and/or body hair growth.
