Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of infertility in women. Women can develop PCOS if there are too many male hormones in their bodies and not enough female hormones. This affects ovulation rates and can make ovulation irregular or non-existent in some women. PCOS causes the ovarian follicles to stop growing. If the follicles don’t grow, then they can’t release an egg. The follicles do not reach maturity and continue to accumulate as small to medium sized cysts in the ovaries.

Cysts that form in the ovaries release estrogen. The estrogen produced by the ovarian follicles uses androgenic or male hormones during this production process. If ovulation does not occur, then male hormone levels remain high. The result can affect the production of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). This can seriously affect your ability to ovulate.

There are some symptoms of PCOS that your doctor will look for when diagnosing PCOS as the cause of infertility. Its symptoms can include obesity and insulin resistance, as well as an excessive amount of body hair. These symptoms affect about half of the women who experience PCOS. Your doctor will also look for irregularities in your menstrual periods. This could be very heavy or very light bleeding, fluctuating cycle lengths, or the cessation of periods all together. Acne is a common symptom, as is skin discoloration around the genitals, chest, and armpits. Conceiving can be difficult and is often the trigger that brings women to the doctor for a diagnosis.

Diagnosis can be difficult and often includes ruling out many other possibilities. Your doctor will review your symptoms and family history. A family history of obesity and/or diabetes may be a factor. Since PCOS can cause insulin resistance, weight loss can be difficult, blood sugar levels can be high, high blood pressure is a risk, and all of these things can lead to diabetes or heart disease . Your doctor may do an ultrasound to look for cysts, but some women with the hormonal imbalances of PCOS don’t have cysts, and some women with cysts don’t have PCOS. This makes diagnosis a bit more difficult and many other things may need to be ruled out before a diagnosis of PCOS is given.

A heart-healthy diet and regular exercise are essential when trying to manage the effects of PCOS. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help balance your hormones. There is no real cure for PCOS, but managing symptoms can greatly reduce the risks of serious PCOS side effects. Losing even a small amount of weight can help balance your hormones and restore your fertility. Your doctor may also want to lower your insulin levels with medication to increase your chances of conceiving. If you’re not planning to conceive, birth control pills can help regulate your periods. With PCOS, the lining of your uterus can build and build. This can lead to uterine cancer if left untreated. Birth control pills can significantly reduce this risk by ensuring that you have monthly periods.

There are many other therapy options that you can discuss with your doctor. Keep in mind that hormone therapies do not help lower your risk of heart disease and diabetes. Therefore, you should take healthy diet and exercise advice very seriously.