PCOS Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Understanding
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a syndrome or collection of symptoms that affect the ovaries and the process of releasing eggs (ovulation).
PCOS sufferers have three things in their bodies, namely many cysts on the ovaries, higher levels of male hormones, and menstrual cycles that are irregular or have holes.
Many cysts that develop on the ovaries are actually follicles that contain immature eggs.
These egg cells never mature and so do not stimulate ovulation.
People with polycystic ovary syndrome experience hormonal imbalances because they have higher levels of male hormones than normal.
This causes women not to experience menstruation and difficulty getting pregnant or even infertility.
PCOS sufferers have a greater risk of delivering premature babies, miscarriages, hypertension, and gestational diabetes.
PCOS usually affects women of childbearing age (15-44 years). Nearly 70 percent of all who have this disease go undiagnosed.
In the long term, these health problems can cause health problems, such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, endometrial cancer, and depression.
Symptom
Some of the symptoms of PCOS are as follows:
- irregular menstrual cycles
- heavy menstruation or heavy bleeding
- growth of hair or fur on the face, back, stomach, and chest
- acne on the face, chest, and upper back
- weight gain to obesity
- baldness
- blackened skin on the folds of the body, such as the neck, groin, and under the breasts
- headache
- hard to get pregnant
Reason
In fact, the exact cause of this condition is unknown. However, there are theories of several factors that might cause PCOS, namely:
genetics
Polycystic ovary syndrome disease runs in families. Many genes affect this condition.
Insulin Resistance
Nearly 70 percent of people with PCOS have insulin resistance. This makes the body produce more insulin.
As a result, the ovaries also produce more male hormones. Obese people usually also experience insulin resistance.
Inflammation
PCOS sufferers usually have high levels of inflammation. Inflammation also increases the production of male hormones. This condition prevents the ovaries from making hormones and producing eggs normally.
Risk Factors
There are several factors that can trigger PCOS, namely:
- mother or sibling with PCOS
- obesity
- insulin resistance, diabetes
Diagnosis
To make a diagnosis of PCOS, some of the tests needed are:
History and Physical Examination
The doctor checks the history and menstrual cycle. The doctor will also check for typical PCOS symptoms, such as acne, hair growth, and weight gain.
Blood Check
Blood tests are needed to determine levels of male hormones, insulin, and cholesterol.
ultrasound
Meanwhile, an ultrasound examination (USG) is intended to look for abnormal follicles in the ovaries.
Doctors will diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome if there are two of three PCOS problems, namely many cysts on the ovaries, higher male hormone levels, and irregular menstrual cycles.
Treatment
There are several therapies and ways of treating PCOS that are usually applied. Here’s an explanation.
Lifestyle Changes
Treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome usually starts with lifestyle changes, which include weight loss, a healthy diet, and exercise.
Losing 5-10 percent of body weight can already make menstrual cycles more regular, lower insulin, risk of diabetes, and heart disease.
Drugs
The use of birth control pills can balance the body’s hormones. This will stimulate ovulation as well as relieve symptoms, such as excess hair growth and protecting the body from endometrial cancer.
The use of metformin (a diabetes drug) can improve insulin levels thereby treating PCOS. Fertility drugs, namely clomiphene can help sufferers to get pregnant. However, the risk of having twins increases.
Surgery
Surgery may be an option if other treatments don’t work. One of them is the ovarian drilling procedure.
In this procedure, the doctor makes several small holes in the ovary using a laser or a thin hot needle to restore normal ovulation function.
PCOS conditions are generally handled by obstetricians and gynecologists (SpOG).
Related Drugs
- Family planning pills
- Metformin
- Clomiphene
Prevention
In general, there is no sure way to prevent PCOS. However, a healthy lifestyle can help reduce your risk of developing this condition, while reducing the severity of symptoms.
What you can do is:
- balanced nutritional diet
- regular physical activity (exercise).
- keep BB in the ideal range
Complications
PCOS disease that is not treated is at risk of serious complications, such as:
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure (hypertension)
- heart and blood vessel problems
- endometrial hyperplasia (thickening of the endometrial lining of the uterus)
- cervical cancer
- infertility
- sleep disorders (such as sleep apnea )
- depression
- worry
When to See a Doctor?
If there are typical complaints, such as irregular menstruation (especially in three consecutive menstrual cycles) accompanied by the appearance of pimples, excessive hair growth, and weight gain, consult a doctor immediately.