What is PCOS? Polycystic ovary syndrome Causes and treatment

• What is PCOS? PCOS is a common disorder in women caused by numerous small cysts in the ovaries that interfere with the growth of eggs. This results in irregular or absent ovulation, leading to missed or irregular periods.
• What causes PCOS? PCOS can be caused by genetic factors, hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, environmental factors, and lifestyle.
• Treatment for PCOS begins with a medical examination. Then, the patient should follow the doctor's recommendations, such as taking hormone-regulating medication, modifying lifestyle, managing weight, and exercising regularly.

PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age characterized by the presence of multiple cysts in the ovaries and an imbalance of female hormones. This leads to various problems, including fertility, metabolic health, and appearance. Women with PCOS often experience irregular periods, infertility, weight gain, or excessive acne and body hair growth.

PCOS is common in women of reproductive age and is a major cause of infertility. Understanding the causes, symptoms, and appropriate management of PCOS can help women improve their health and reduce the risk of future complications.

What is PCOS?

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a common disorder in women caused by numerous small cysts in the ovaries that interfere with egg development. This results in irregular or missed periods, infertility, and noticeable symptoms such as weight gain or excessive body hair growth. Furthermore, if left untreated, it can increase the risk of serious chronic diseases in the future, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and endometrial cancer.

What Causes PCOS?

Many people may wonder what can cause PCOS. This condition is related to daily life, genetics, and internal bodily abnormalities. These factors all contribute to the likelihood of developing PCOS, as detailed below:

Genetics

People with a family history of PCOS have a higher chance of developing it than the general population. This is due to abnormalities in certain gene groups, such as CYP17A and CYP11A, which directly affect the overproduction of male hormones and insulin resistance. This inheritance is complex, combining multiple gene types, ethnicity, and environment, resulting in malfunctions in various bodily systems and leading to the symptoms of PCOS.

Hormonal Abnormalities

"Irregular ovulation" affects the balance of hormones in the menstrual cycle. Normally, ovulation causes the body to produce progesterone, which helps regulate menstruation. However, when ovulation does not occur, the body produces only estrogen, which stimulates the uterine lining to thicken without any control. This can lead to irregular menstruation, including missed periods due to incomplete lining shedding, spotting due to unstable hormones, or unusually heavy and prolonged periods due to thickened lining.

Insulin Resistance

Insulin resistance is a mechanism that disrupts the metabolic and reproductive systems. When cells become less responsive to insulin, the pancreas produces more insulin to control blood sugar levels. This excessively high insulin levels stimulate the ovaries to produce more testosterone, while simultaneously decreasing testosterone levels, resulting in high levels of free testosterone in the blood. This interferes with egg development and natural ovulation.

Environmental and Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle and environmental factors also contribute to hormonal imbalances. In particular, high consumption of carbohydrates and sugars combined with lack of exercise, chronic stress (which stimulates cortisol production leading to abdominal fat accumulation), exposure to endocrine-disrupting toxins such as BPA from plastics, and chronic inflammation all contribute to hormonal imbalances.

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

• Irregular menstrual cycles
• Excessive hair growth (hirsutism)
• Severe acne
• Male pattern hair loss
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Fertility problems
• Weight gain or obesity
• Acanthosis Nigricans (darkening or thickening of the skin)
• Other symptoms related to hormones and metabolism, such as fatigue, bloating, or mood swings

Potential complications of PCOS

• Infertility
• Bleeding problems, anemia
• Uterine cancer, breast cancer (because the uterine lining and breasts are stimulated by high levels of estrogen for extended periods)
• Type 2 diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Infertility
• Mental health problems

Diagnosis of PCOS

1. Medical history and symptoms
2. General physical examination
3. Blood tests to assess hormone levels
4. Blood sugar and cholesterol tests
5. Pelvic Ultrasound
6. Diagnosis based on Rotterdam Criteria
7. Further testing as needed

How PCOS is treated

1. Lifestyle and dietary changes
2. Medications to regulate menstrual cycles and ovulation
3. Medications to lower high testosterone levels
4. Medications to control insulin resistance
5. Specific symptom treatments
6. Surgical or ovarian procedures (in specific cases)
7. Ongoing follow-up and medical consultation

Self-Care for Individuals with PCOS

• Weight Management
• Regular Exercise
• Balanced Diet
• Regular Health Monitoring

Prevention and Risk Reduction of PCOS

What are effective ways to prevent PCOS? This can be achieved through lifestyle modifications, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and managing stress to reduce cortisol. Diet should focus on complex carbohydrates and lean protein to control blood sugar levels, while avoiding sugar, unhealthy fats, alcohol, and smoking to reduce inflammation. Regular annual health checkups and monitoring of menstrual cycles are also crucial.

Can PCOS be treated on its own?

While PCOS cannot be cured or self-treated due to its hormonal and metabolic disorders, it can be managed through diagnosis by a gynecologist to develop an appropriate medication plan, such as hormone-balancing drugs or insulin-reducing medications, and to prevent serious future complications. Lifestyle modifications, especially exercise and weight loss, are essential to balance hormone levels and improve treatment effectiveness.

Is PCOS curable?

Currently, PCOS cannot be cured, but women can live normal lives with treatment as diagnosed by a doctor. This includes using birth control pills to regulate menstrual cycles, anti-androgen medications to reduce acne and hirsutism, or ovulation-stimulating drugs for those with infertility.

However, symptoms can always recur if self-care is neglected because insulin resistance persists. Therefore, the most effective treatment is modifying risk behaviors, including diet and exercise, combined with regular medical monitoring.

Treating PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) at Vibhavadi Hospital

Vibhavadi Hospital offers comprehensive PCOS treatment with expert hormone and gynecological specialists and state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment. We can screen for PCOS, diagnose and assess symptoms for appropriate treatment. Our obstetrics and gynecology department provides comprehensive care, from physical examination and diagnosis to counseling, lifestyle modification, and medication to balance hormones, enabling women to live confidently and alleviate PCOS symptoms for better health.

Summary

What is PCOS? It is a condition where multiple ovarian cysts form. PCOS, a condition affecting women of reproductive age, is caused by hormonal imbalances, genetics, lifestyle, environment, and insulin resistance. This results in irregular ovulation, irregular menstruation, and may also present with acne, increased body hair growth, or weight gain. How is PCOS diagnosed? Diagnosis can be made with a specialist physician for appropriate treatment. This includes physical examinations, hormone tests, ovarian ultrasounds, and further treatment as needed. Self-care also involves lifestyle changes and exercise to restore hormonal balance and allow for a normal life.

If you suspect you have PCOS, you can consult and get tested at Vibhavadi Hospital. We have state-of-the-art testing equipment and comprehensive care from specialist physicians for accurate diagnosis and targeted advice to help you achieve hormonal balance and long-term health.