Live Life Team
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the condition where a woman’s ovary or ovaries contain multiple cysts. This is also known by the name of Stein-Leventhal syndrome.
The egg is released into the uterus of the women during the monthly menstrual cycle, which is termed as ovulation. The egg will develop cysts or follicles on the ovary before it is released. Even though many cysts develop, only one of them matures completely and releases the egg.
A woman who is suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome will not have the procedure of ovulation. The hormones both androgens as well as oestrogen will also be produced in an unbalanced way such that the level of androgens like testosterone are more.
This is one of the major causes of infertility in females.
Symptoms
The presence of polycystic ovarian syndrome in a woman is characterised by the presence of irregular periods, light periods or absence of periods, problems in becoming pregnant, excessive gaining of weight, development of acne and the woman will be subjected to a condition known as hirsutism, where the growth of hair will be excessive.
The symptoms will be not similar for all the women who suffer from polycystic ovarian syndrome. The major cases of this condition have reported to have problems in menstruation as well as becoming pregnant.
Women who have polycystic ovarian syndrome are subjected to the development of hypertension, high levels of cholesterol as well as diabetes. These in turn can lead to the condition of cardiac diseases or stroke later. The risk becomes even more due to the presence of chronic resistance for insulin, imbalances of the hormone as well as obesity.
Women who have irregular periods or absence of periods for a long time are subjected to the development of endometrial carcinoma, which is the cancer affecting the lining of the womb.
Causes
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is inheritable in nature.
The major trigger for the development of this condition is the resistance towards insulin. This condition is normally seen in excessively obese women.
The insulin which is released into the bloodstream for controlling the sugars is resisted. So the woman requires higher levels of insulin for controlling the sugars. This in turn stimulates the excessive secretion of the male hormone, testosterone. Theses two factors hinder the follicular development, which in turn can lead to the failure of ovulation.
Another factor which triggers the PCOS is the presence of luteinising hormone in a very high level.
The most common factor triggering the PCOS is the woman being obese.
Treatment
The symptoms of PCOS improve if a woman loses her weight significantly, in case she is obese. This is because the excessive level of insulin comes down. This in turn can help in lowering the testosterone level. So the ovulation will improve significantly.
A woman may be administered anti-male hormones for the blocking of masculine effects associated with this condition.
The absence of periods or irregularity of periods is rectified by using oral contraceptive pills. Drugs to enhance ovulation levels are also advised if the woman has fertility problems.
The woman may be administered a drug known as Metformin, which controls the levels of insulin.
