| Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder | | | | of voice, depression, high cholesterol and high blood |
| associated with the endocrine system. It is a | | | | pressure. |
| common hormonal disorder that affects almost one in | | | | Diagnosis and Treatment |
| ten women. The syndrome is usually characterized by | | | | One of the most important tools to diagnose PCOS |
| the development of small cysts in the ovaries | | | | is ultrasound. Sometimes, magnetic resonance imaging |
| (polycystic ovaries) and hormonal imbalance. | | | | (MRI) and CT scan are also carried out to detect the |
| However, some cysts may be present in women | | | | condition. Besides, blood is tested to detect the level |
| without polycystic ovarian syndrome or the | | | | of androgen hormones including androstenedione, |
| associated problems. On the other hand, occasionally | | | | testosterone and Dehydroepiandrosterone. Generally, |
| women with PCOS, may not have polycystic ovaries. | | | | PCOS is associated with elevated levels of these |
| Polycystic ovarian syndrome Causes | | | | hormones. |
| The exact causes of polycystic ovarian syndrome | | | | Treatment for PCOS mainly concentrates on reducing |
| have not been discovered till now. In many instances | | | | the level of insulin, restoring regular menstrual cycle |
| genetic factors influence, it has been observed that | | | | and fertility, treatment of hirsutism and prevention of |
| the patient usually has family members with the | | | | endrometrial hyperplacia and cancer. The treatment |
| syndrome. Another common condition associated | | | | usually combines both dietary therapy and |
| with PCOS is the abnormalities in insulin | | | | medications. Dietary therapy is mainly used to control |
| production.This has led many to suspect a possible | | | | weight, which can be very effective in restoring |
| link between insulin resistance and development of | | | | normal ovulation or menstruation. So, a low |
| PCOS. When the body becomes resistant to insulin, a | | | | carbohydrate diet and regular exercise can be |
| higher level of insulin is required to maintain the blood | | | | beneficial in controlling weight and thereby regularizing |
| sugar level. The excess insulin in the body may induce | | | | the menstrual cycle. Birth controls pills are effective in |
| an hormonal imbalance. | | | | lowering hormonal imbalances, restoring normal |
| Polycystic ovaries generally develop due to excess | | | | menstruation and reducing the risk of uterine cancer. |
| production of androgen by the ovaries, which is | | | | Sometimes, injections of the gonadotropin hormone |
| usually stimulated either by the luteinizing hormone | | | | may be required to treat infertility, resulting from |
| (LH) released by the pituitary gland or the high level | | | | PCOS. |
| of insulin. | | | | Polycystic ovarian syndrome has been found to |
| Polycystic ovarian syndrome Symptoms | | | | increase the risk of some serious diseases like |
| One of the most common symptoms of PCOS is the | | | | diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, |
| irregularity of the menstrual cycle and sometimes | | | | heart stroke, miscarriage, endometrial hyperplasia and |
| menstruation may be absent for several months, | | | | uterine cancer. It is one of the most important |
| while at other times, it can be too frequent. | | | | causes of infertility in women. As a strong relationship |
| Excessive growth of hair on face and other parts of | | | | between obesity and PCOS has been observed, so |
| the body can occur due to hormonal imbalance or | | | | regular exercise and controlling your body weight can |
| over production of the androgen hormone. This | | | | play a significant role in lowering much of the risk |
| condition is termed as hirsutism. Obesity is another | | | | associated with polycyctic ovarian syndrome. |
| common symptom of PCOS. Besides, women with | | | | Is there a natural way to get rid of PCOS? |
| PCOS may experience acne and oily skin, deepening | | | | |