Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder that affects women by causing the ovaries or adrenal glands to produce more of the male hormone, androgen than normal. As a result, female reproductive hormones become imbalanced. Although it is characterized by tiny fluid-filled follicular cysts in the ovaries, their presence is not essential to identify the syndrome. In fact, most women/females of reproductive age who have PCOS may or may not have ovarian cysts.
Signs and symptoms of PCOS
A few signs and symptoms of PCOS include:
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Infertility
- Pelvic pain
- Increased facial and body hair
- Weight gain
- Acne or oily skin
- Patches of thickened skin
Causes of PCOS
There is no known definitive cause of PCOS. However, a few risk factors may include:
High levels of androgens: When androgen levels in the female body rise, it hinders the release of eggs, resulting in an irregular menstrual cycle. This irregular menstrual cycle may result in the formation of small, fluid-filled sacs called cysts in the ovary. Furthermore, it may also produce symptoms such as excessive hair growth and facial acne.
Insulin resistance: Insulin resistance means that the body is not able to process insulin correctly. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that helps in glucose metabolism in our body. Any abnormality in the hormone’s secretion or use may result in resistance to insulin in the body, resulting in increased glucose levels in an individual’s blood. Being overweight or obese can also lead to insulin resistance, which can affect women’s fertility.
Low-grade inflammation: When an individual is infected or injured, their white blood cells produce antibodies as a response. This response is known as low-grade inflammation. It can be determined by detecting the levels of C-reactive protein in the blood, which signifies inflammation in the body.
Genetics: Certain genes, according to research, may be linked to PCOS. As a result, having a family history of PCOS may increase one’s chances of developing it.
Common age for developing PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is most commonly diagnosed in females after puberty. However, the most prevalent age for PCOS may be between the ages of 20 and 30, when women are reproductively active and may try to get pregnant. Furthermore, genetics, obesity, and diabetes may all have a role in the development of PCOS in women of reproductive age.
Diagnosis of PCOS
A physical and pelvic examination is performed to provide a brief overview of both the inside and outside of the body. Females with PCOS who exhibit at least two of the three most frequent symptoms of PCOS (i.e., high androgen levels, skipped or irregular menstrual periods, or ovarian cysts) are often referred for diagnosis. Additionally, to confirm the diagnosis, one may also be advised to undergo a few blood tests and scans. These include:
Ultrasound: It is used to scan blood vessels, tissues, and organs of the body. It also examines the ovaries to detect if any cysts have formed. Furthermore, it is used to determine the thickness of the uterine endometrium (inner lining of the uterus).
Blood tests: These check for certain hormones such as androgens, luteinizing hormone, progesterone, etc., glucose levels, insulin resistance, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, etc., that are affected in an individual due to PCOS.
AMH Gold Plus- AMH Gold Plus packages tests for hormones such as anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin test, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) test, progesterone, and testosterone. 12 hours of fasting is recommended before taking this test. High levels of AMH may be an indication of PCOS. Low AMH levels could be a sign of poor ovarian reserve. High FSH levels are seen in menopause. Low levels could be a sign of infertility, quick weight loss, or even pregnancy. If you are of childbearing age, high levels of LH may point to an issue with your ovaries. It could also be high if you have PCOS. Low amounts of LH could mean you're malnourished or that your pituitary gland isn't working properly.
Complications related to PCOS
Certain complications that are related to PCOS include:
- Infertility
- Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced blood pressure
- Premature birth or miscarriage
- Type II diabetes mellitus or prediabetes
- Sleep apnea
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Cancer on uterine endometrium/lining
- Metabolic syndromes such as high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and triglyceride levels, etc are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attacks
Obesity commonly occurring with PCOS, may worsen its associated complications.
PCOS and pregnancy
The polycystic ovarian syndrome makes it harder for women to become pregnant since it disrupts their usual menstrual cycle. Around 75-80% of people with PCOS may have reproductive challenges, which raise the risk of pregnancy-related complications such as miscarriage, high blood pressure, and gestational diabetes. Fertility treatments, on the other hand, may boost their chances of ovulation and, subsequently, pregnancy. A few actions such as decreasing weight and lowering blood sugar levels, may also help increase the likelihood of a successful pregnancy.
PCOS treatment
PCOS treatment usually begins with food and lifestyle changes. Lowering roughly 5 - 10% of total body weight may increase fertility in PCOS-affected females. Furthermore, it helps in the improvement of cholesterol levels, the reduction of insulin levels, and the prevention of cardiovascular disorders such as heart attacks and strokes.
The following are a few dietary and lifestyle changes that have been shown to be useful in treating PCOS symptoms. These are as follows:
Consuming foods with a low glycemic index (Low GI), such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, may effectively help regulate the menstrual cycle. A few examples from each category include the following:
Fruits – Fresh fruits such as cherries, grapes, pears, apples, oranges, plums, strawberries, peaches, and dried fruits such as apricots, dates, black raisins, fig, etc.
Vegetables – These include lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, green vegetables, kidney beans, chick peas, lentils, raw carrots, etc.
Whole grains – These include oats, bulgur wheat, barley, brown rice, buckwheat, quinoa, wheat berries, etc.
According to studies, exercising for 30 minutes at least three times a week can help PCOS individuals with weight loss, thereby improving ovulation and also insulin levels.
Exercise, when combined with a healthy diet, shows promising effects in PCOS-affected females when compared to outcomes obtained alone from each.
In conclusion, PCOS is a common disorder among females after puberty that disrupts their normal menstrual cycle and causes the symptoms associated with it. Certain blood tests such as those for cholesterol and triglyceride levels, glucose tolerance, etc., can be used to diagnose PCOS. Abdominal imaging tests such as ultrasound can also confirm the diagnosis. Certain food and lifestyle changes, on the other hand, may assist affected persons to improve their condition.
