What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that happens when your ovaries create excess hormones. With PCOS, your ovaries produces an abnormally high level of androgen, causing your reproductive hormones to be imbalanced. As a result, it causes irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne and infertility.
Small follicle cysts may also be visible on your ovaries during an ultrasound due to a lack of ovulation. Despite its name 'polycystic', you do not need to have cysts on your ovaries to be diagnosed with PCOS.
PCOS is one of the most common causes of female infertility and it may also increase your risk of other health conditions. It can start anytime after puberty and most people are diagnosed in their 20s to 30s when they are trying to get pregnant.
What are the symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Some common signs and symptoms of PCOS include:
- Irregular period: This may involve late periods or not having periods at all, as well as heavy bleeding during periods.
- Abnormal hair growth: People with PCOS may experience excess facial hair or experience heavy hair growth on their arms, chest and abdomen.
- Acne: PCOS may cause acne to appear on the back, chest and face. This acne may persist past teenage years and be difficult to treat.
- Obesity: People with PCOS tend to suffer from obesity and have trouble maintaining a healthy weight.
- Darkening of the skin: People with PCOS may experience patches of dark skin, especially in the folds of their neck, armpits, groin and under the breasts.
- Cysts: Many people with PCOS have ovaries that appear enlarged, or with many follicles on ultrasound.
- Thinning hair: People with PCOS may lose patches of hair on their head or start to bald.
- Infertility: PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility as not ovulating regularly may result in an inability to conceive.
What causes Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown but genetics have been shown to play a part. Other factors who may also play a part include:
- Higher levels of male hormones (androgen): High androgen levels prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs, resulting in irregular menstrual cycles which may cause small, fluid-filled sacs to develop on your ovaries.
- Insulin resistance: Insulin resistance means your body is unable to process insulin correctly, leading to high glucose levels in your blood. An increase in insulin causes your ovaries to produce androgen. Androgen suppresses ovulation and contributes to other symptoms of PCOS.
- Low-grade inflammation: People with PCOS typically have chronic low-grade inflammation.
What are the complications of Polycystsic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
- Cholesterol: Women with PCOS have higher levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and lower levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.
- Cancer: Women with PCOS are at a higher risk of uterine cancer if left untreated.
- Diabetes: More than 50% of women with PCOS develop diabetes before the age of 40.
- Heart diseases: Women with PCOS have been found to have a 50% increase in heart attacks compared to women without PCOS. Some studies have also found that 40% have calcification in their coronary arteries before 45.
- High blood pressure: Women with PCOS have a greater risk of high blood pressure after the age of 40.
- Insulin resistance syndrome: Women with PCOS tend to be resistant to insulin and are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart attack and stroke at a younger age.
How do you manage Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Here are some steps you can take to manage your PCOS:
- Maintain a healthy bodyweight
- Eat a nutritious meal
- Exercise regularly
If you are trying to conceive and have PCOS, you can work with your healthcare provider for treatment options.
How do you diagnose Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
Imaging Test
Your healthcare provider may perform a pelvic ultrasound to confirm the diagnosis by creating images of blood vessels and tissues. This tests is used to look at the size of your ovaries and see if they have cysts, as well as the thickness of the lining of the uterus (endometrium).
Blood Test
These look for high levels of androgen and other hormones. Your healthcare provider may also check your blood glucose levels.
