Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

 POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME (PCOS) 

BY  H/DR. FNAWAN

INTRODUCTION

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common health problem caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones. The hormonal imbalance creates problems in the ovaries and metabolism problems that may affect their overall health and appearance. PCOS is also a common and treatable cause of infertility.It affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing years(ages 15 to 44).

Women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes them to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant.

PCOS also causes hair growth on the face and body, and baldness. And it can contribute to long-term health problems like diabetes and heart disease.

In allopathy Birth control pills and diabetes drugs can help fix the hormone imbalance and improve symptoms. 

PCOS affects a woman’s ovaries, the reproductive organs that produce estrogen and progesterone — hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. The ovaries also produce a small amount of male hormones called androgens.

The ovaries release eggs to be fertilized by a man’s sperm. The release of an egg each month is called ovulation.

Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) control ovulation. FSH stimulates the ovary to produce a follicle — a sac that contains an egg — and then LH triggers the ovary to release a mature egg.

PCOS is a “syndrome,” or group of symptoms that affects the ovaries and ovulation. Its three main features are:

1.cysts in the ovaries

2. high levels of male hormones

3. irregular or skipped periods

In PCOS, many small, fluid-filled sacs grow inside the ovaries. The word “polycystic” means “many cysts.”

These sacs are actually follicles, each one containing an immature egg. The eggs never mature enough to trigger ovulation.

The lack of ovulation alters levels of estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH. Estrogen and progesterone levels are lower than usual, while androgen levels ie. male hormones are higher than usual.

Extra male hormones disrupt the menstrual cycle, so women with PCOS get fewer periods than usual.

CAUSES 

1. Genes 

Studies show that PCOS runs in families. It’s likely that many genes-  not just one - contribute to the condition. 

2. Insulin resistance

Up to 70 percent of women with PCOS have insulin resistance, meaning that their cells can’t use insulin properly. 

Insulin is a hormone the pancreas produces to help the body use sugar from foods for energy.

When cells can’t use insulin properly, the body’s demand for insulin increases. The pancreas makes more insulin to compensate. Extra insulin triggers the ovaries to produce more male hormones.

Obesity is a major cause of insulin resistance. Both obesity and insulin resistance can increase your risk for type 2 diabetes. 

3. Inflammation 

Women with PCOS often have increased levels of inflammation in their body. Being overweight can also contribute to inflammation. Studies have linked excess inflammation to higher androgen levels

SYMPTOMS 

The most common PCOS symptoms are:

1.Irregular periods. A lack of ovulation prevents the uterine lining from shedding every month. Some women with PCOS get fewer than eight periods a year. 

2.Heavy bleeding. The uterine lining builds up for a longer period of time, so the periods you do get can be heavier than normal.

3.Hair growth. More than 70 percent of women with this condition grow hair on their face and body — including on their back, belly, and chest. Excess hair growth is called hirsutism.

4. Acne. Male hormones can make the skin oilier than usual and cause breakouts on areas like the face, chest, and upper back.

5.Weight gain. Up to 80 percent of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. 

6.Male-pattern baldness. Hair on the scalp gets thinner and fall out.

7. Darkening of the skin. Dark patches of skin can form in body creases like those on the neck, in the groin, and under the breasts.

8. Headaches. Hormone changes can trigger headaches in some women.

How PCOS affects your body

Hormone imbalances can affect a woman’s health in many ways. PCOS can increase the risk for infertility, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, endometrial cancer, and depression. 

DIAGNOSIS

Doctors diagnose PCOS if women have at least two of three main symptoms — high androgen levels, irregular periods, and cysts in the ovaries. 1.A pelvic exam.

2.blood tests (check for higher-than-normal levels of male hormones,also cholesterol, insulin, and triglyceride levels to evaluate your risk for related conditions like heart disease and diabetes

3.ultrasound can confirm the diagnosis.

Diet and lifestyle tips to treat PCOS

PCOS treatment starts with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. Losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight if you’re overweight can help improve your symptoms.

HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT 

Hair loss & PCOS: Weisbaden, Arnica, Thuja, Acid flour, China.

Acne & PCOS: Berberis aquafolium, Phosphorus, Silicea, Sulphur, Calcaria-sulph, Borax, Hepar- sulph, Kali-brom.

Infertility: Pulsatilla, sepia, terantula, apis, lycopodium, lachesis.