What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?
It’s known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) if an egg isn’t produced at the end of the menstrual cycle (the start of a period to the start of the next one). Because of this, it may be more difficult to imagine.
Approximately one in five British women are thought to be affected.
If you have polycystic ovaries (PCO):
• Your ovaries are slightly larger than normal
• you have many more follicles (the fluid-filled pockets on the ovaries that release the eggs when you ovulate)
PCOS isn’t the only option for some women with polycystic ovaries. PCOS is a hormonal imbalance disorder, whereas PCO refers to the fact that your ovaries differ from those of most women.
Symptoms of PCOS
PCO is not a sign that you have PCOS. PCOS may only be officially diagnosed if it is accompanied by the symptoms and indicators listed below.
• irregular periods or none
• more facial or body hair
• less hair on the head
• difficulty losing weight or rapid weight gain
• acne or oily skin
• difficulty becoming pregnant
This means that if the length of your cycle continues to fluctuate, you have an irregular period. There may be huge variations in the length of the menstrual cycle.
If a woman’s PCOS is caused by her genes or her lifestyle, she may have mild to severe symptoms.
What are the causes of PCOS?
It’s still unclear what causes PCOS, but it’s thought to be a hereditary condition since women with the condition are more likely to come from families where the condition runs in the family.
Hormones have been associated to PCOS symptoms:
• Many of the symptoms of PCOS may be traced back to a slightly elevated testosterone level in women.
• This is known as insulin resistance, and as a result, your blood sugar levels are higher than they should be. Weight gain and infertility might occur if insulin levels are too high. Diabetes is more likely to develop in later life if you have PCOS.
Do I have PCOS?
When a woman’s weight fluctuates, she may not realise she has PCOS until she begins trying for a baby.
PCOS may go undetected if you use the combination oral contraceptive pill (‘the pill’).
• Pill-free 7 days and a withdrawal bleed might be mistaken for periods in many of them (It is not a true period as it is unrelated to egg production or thickening of the lining of the womb).
• When it comes to their menstrual cycle, ladies have no idea whether it is regular or not.
• Pills that include PCOS-related hormones may alleviate the symptoms of the condition. With regular use, it may help clear up acne and reduce the amount of hair that grows on the body. If a woman is not trying to conceive, this is a common therapy for PCOS.
If you have two of the symptoms listed below, your doctor will likely diagnose you with PCOS.
• either sporadic or no periods
• polycystic ovaries discovered through a transvaginal ultrasound using a wand inserted into the vagina.
• Test findings indicating excessive testosterone levels or an increase in face or body hair.
How does normal ovulation work?
Many eggs develop in follicles in your ovaries throughout a typical menstrual cycle, which also includes ovulation. The most mature egg is discharged into a fallopian tube, where it meets any sperm that may be present.
There is no ovulation or egg release in women with polycystic ovaries (PCOS) because the follicles with eggs within do not grow and develop normally. Anovulation is the medical term for this condition.
A monthly bleed may disguise irregular or non-existent periods in women who take hormonal contraception, which can lead to a misdiagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
What is the treatment for PCOS if you are trying to conceive?
PCOS itself cannot be cured, but the symptoms may be managed. Weight loss is recommended if you have a BMI of more than 30 and are concerned about your health. Ovulation may occur as a result of this. Pregnancy risks can be reduced even if it doesn’t achieve this, since it will enable your medicine to operate more effectively.
PCOS-related infertility may be treated with a variety of medications.
• Your ovaries are stimulated to release eggs with clomifene citrate (the best-known brand in the UK is Clomid).
• Treatment of insulin resistance, which may be present in PCOS patients, with metformin
• All of the aforementioned options may be combined.
Clomifene citrate pills should be taken as directed.
• During your first treatment cycle, a transvaginal scan will be performed to ensure that you are receiving the right dosage. During the scan, your follicles will be examined to see how they are progressing.
• There’s a danger of ovarian cancer if you take it more than six months.
The following options may be presented to you if clomifene citrate does not work:
• hormones that encourage the growth and development of the reproductive system (a fertility drug that is based on the gonadotrophin hormones, which stimulate your ovaries to produce and ripen eggs). As a result of the increased risk of overstimulating your ovaries and having multiple pregnancies, you’ll be subjected to frequent scans to monitor how the follicles are progressing.
• utilising laparoscopic ovarian drilling as a surgical method (LOD). This causes the ovaries’ testosterone-producing tissue to die.
• An IVF procedure involves retrieving an egg, fertilising it outside the body, and then transferring it to a woman’s womb.
What are my chances of conceiving with PCOS?
Since instances vary so much and various therapies have varied success rates, most women with PCOS may expect to conceive with reproductive therapy. This is especially true for women under 35.
Mental health and PCOS
As a result of learning that you are infertile, many women experience emotions of guilt and shame. A medical problem that may be treated alongside most other health issues, rather than an indictment of your gender, is the best way to deal with it. For many couples, fertility therapy is an inconvenience that fades away as time goes on and they become parents.
A lengthy, confusing, and worrisome procedure for some couples, particularly if they have to take time off from a hostile employment, may make the process even more difficult. Try to help each other out as much as you can throughout the visits, consultations, and treatments.
PCOS and pregnancy
Pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-eclampsia, and premature delivery may all be exacerbated by PCOS during pregnancy. All pregnant women should be evaluated for gestational diabetes by 20 weeks and any medication they are taking should be monitored.
People also search
How successful is ovulation induction in PCOS?
Women with PCOS should begin treatment with clomiphene citrate, which has been shown to be successful in inducing ovulation. Ovulation induction with clomiphene citrate has a higher chance of multiple pregnancies, thus patients should be made aware of this.
Does PCOS affect gender of baby?
Even though the full-blown and non-PCO phenotypes differed considerably, there was no significant variation in the sex ratio between PCOS and controls.
Can I give birth to a healthy baby with PCOS?
Females with PCOS, also known as polycystic ovarian syndrome, suffer from a common hormonal disorder. As a result, women with PCOS may have a difficult time conceiving and may be more susceptible to difficulties after childbirth. However, many women with PCOS may conceive and give birth to a healthy baby if they manage their symptoms.
