Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition caused by the hormones produced by your body’s ovaries. It can have many symptoms, including irregular periods and acne. Polycystic ovary syndrome affects 1 out of 10 women, but it’s only diagnosed when no other explanation for your symptoms exists. If you think you may have PCOS, talk to your doctor about testing for this condition.
What is polycystic ovary syndrome?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone imbalance that affects how your ovaries function. It’s the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age, affecting one in 10 women and nearly 30% of pregnant women.
The condition can cause infertility, irregular periods and acne. In some people with PCOS, their hair may be thin or there may be male pattern baldness on top of the scalp (androgenic alopecia). If you have PCOS symptoms but aren’t sure if it’s what you have been diagnosed with yet, make sure to see your doctor for further testing so they can determine whether or not you are indeed suffering from this condition.
Causes of polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects women of reproductive age. It’s estimated that 1 out of 10 women have PCOS, but it can also be inherited from your mother or father.
Inherited factors include:
Genes
Your genes determine if you will have polycystic ovaries and other symptoms of PCOS. If at least one parent has been diagnosed with the condition, there’s a higher chance that you will develop the disease as well.
Hormones
Hormones play an important role in regulating normal menstrual cycles by causing ovulation or preventing pregnancy when needed (i.e., during menopause). For example, insulin resistance occurs when insulin doesn’t adequately help control blood sugar levels after eating; this could lead to obesity as well as other health problems like high cholesterol levels or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome
You may notice the following symptoms of PCOS:
Menstrual irregularities
Women with PCOS often have irregular periods, which are either heavier than normal or absent altogether. They may also experience painful or heavy menstrual flow, as well as anovulation (the absence of ovulation).
Infertility
About 10-15 percent of women with PCOS will experience infertility due to their hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance, which can make it difficult for egg development and implantation in the uterus; however, there are other causes for this condition that aren’t related to your body’s ability to conceive naturally.* Acne .
The excess production of testosterone in your body can cause acne breakouts on your face or chest area.* Weight gain. If you’re overweight but don’t have any other risk factors associated with obesity such as being sedentary or eating lots of sugar—you may be at higher risk than someone who isn’t overweight yet has similar levels of testosterone production; both groups could still benefit from losing weight.* Thinning hair .
Hair loss is another sign that something isn’t right internally because it happens when our body tries too hard when trying extra hard during these stressful times! This could mean we need more nutrients coming through food sources like fruits & veggies instead.”
Health complications of polycystic ovary syndrome
- Increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.
- Increased risk of endometrial cancer.
- Increased risk of ovarian cancer.
- Increased risk of miscarriage and infertility.
- Gestational diabetes is a common complication for women with PCOS, as well as other reproductive health issues like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome
In order to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), your doctor may order blood tests that check for signs of several reproductive health problems. These include:
- FSH levels
- LH levels
- Testosterone levels
Your doctor may also perform ultrasounds and laparoscopies to see if there are any cysts on your ovaries.
Treating polycystic ovary syndrome
The first step in treating PCOS is to determine what kind of treatment is most appropriate for you. There are a number of different options, including medication and lifestyle changes. Some women choose surgery as their preferred treatment option; however, this isn’t always necessary or even recommended.
Medicine usually involves taking birth control pills to regulate your periods and manage the symptoms associated with PCOS. The main goal is to help suppress ovulation so that you can have fewer cycles each month which means less chance of getting pregnant during one cycle (or in general). This doesn’t prevent pregnancy from happening but it does help lower your chances of becoming pregnant by making sure there’s no egg ready when fertilization happens again later on during another cycle. If this method doesn’t work well enough for you than other medications may be prescribed as well: journaling about how many days until next period start date helps keep track too!
Healthy living with polycystic ovary syndrome
Living with polycystic ovary syndrome can be challenging, but there are many things you can do to help manage the disease.
Exercise regularly
Regular exercise helps regulate your menstrual cycle and may reduce symptoms of PCOS, such as acne and hair loss. It also reduces body fat and improves moods by increasing endorphins (the brain’s feel-good hormones).
Eat a healthy diet
A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables as well as lean proteins like fish or poultry but avoid processed foods high in sugar or salt; they’re usually not good for people with PCOS because they cause insulin resistance (which increases risk for diabetes). You’ll also want to make sure you’re getting enough calcium so that your bones stay strong!
Prevention of polycystic ovary syndrome
The best way to prevent PCOS is by getting regular exercise, eating a healthy diet and avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol. If you smoke or drink excessively on a regular basis, it may be hard for your body to maintain the right balance of hormones.
You should also make sure that you get enough sleep each night. If possible, try to go to bed at least an hour earlier than usual so that when you wake up in the morning there are less disturbances from waking up too early during the night or from going out with friends after work hours which could disrupt sleep patterns even more than normal.
Hard to manage and Things to do
PCOS can be hard to manage, but there are things you can do. PCOS is a complex condition, and there is no single cause or cure. It’s not a disease you can catch from someone else.
PCOS causes some women with PCOS to have irregular periods (or no periods at all), which makes it harder for them to get pregnant and carry healthy babies. If you have PCOS and are trying to get pregnant:
- Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for your symptoms
- Follow his or her instructions on how often you should check in with him or her
Conclusion
PCOS can be a difficult disease to live with, but it doesn’t have to be. We hope this article has been helpful in explaining the symptoms of PCOS, as well as its causes and treatments. If you or someone you know suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome, please feel free to reach out to us for help!
