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Women's Health -Understanding Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): Can it be cured?

Understanding Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): Can it be cured?

Introduction

Women's Health -Understanding Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): Can it be cured?
PAIN IN Woman suffering from PCOS

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a most common endocrinological disorder in child bearing age group of females.

Its complex hormonal disorder affecting millions of women worldwide.

It is characterized by various symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycles, excess hair growth, acne, and in some cases, difficulty conceiving.

 Lifestyle modifications including diet changes can help manage its symptoms effectively.

But usually Delay in diagnosis leads to the progression of disease and making it more difficult to implement lifestyle intervention.

Multiple other disease can accompany POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME like infertility, metabolic syndrome, obesity, impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM-2), cardiovascular risk, depression, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), endometrial cancer etc, so prompt diagnosis is needed.

So lets understand PCOS

What causes PCOS?

PCOS is a multifactorial disease.

Several susceptible genes have been identified which contributes  to the pathophysiology of the disease.

These genes are involved in various levels of steroid hormone formations and  for male hormones (androgens) formation.

Other environmental factors include obesity and insulin resistance.

PCOS is a hyperandrogenic state  that means male hormonal levels are more with oligo-anovulation means you will be having less or no ovulation.

PCOS occurs when a your hormones are out of balance, specifically involving levels of insulin, androgens (male hormones), and progesterone.

 Insulin resistance is a common underlying factor, leading to high levels of  insulin  which in turn stimulate excess androgen production by the ovaries and leading to a repetitive  cycle.

It is a diagnosis of exclusion, and disorders that may feel like PCOS must be excluded.

These include thyroid disease, hyperprolactinemia, and non-classical congenital adrenal hyperplasia

Symptoms of PCOS:

You may get one or few of the following symptoms

Irregular menstrual cycles-

Your menstrual cycle becomes irregular and may be associated with excess bleeding or cramps in lower abdomen. it can lead to lower hemoglobin and anemia, you can also see https://wellhealthdaily.com/hello-world/

Women's Health -Understanding Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): Can it be cured?
Women’s Health -Understanding Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Excess hair growth (hirsutism)

you may grow excess hairs on the face like male bread or have excess hairs on limbs and chest, male pattern baldness can occur few people

Acne[pimples]

 it occurs due to excessive male hormones and usually it is resistant to treatment.

Weight gain or difficulty losing it.

Hair thinning or hair loss on the scalp can happen, hairs becomes fragile and easily fall.

Darkening of the  your skin

It can happen , especially along neck creases, in the groin, and underneath breasts (acanthosis nigricans) because of the same hormonal imbalance.

How it will be diagnosed?

Your doctor may get an ultra sound done to see for the ovaries and blood investigation which includes hemoglobin, blood sugar levels, thyroid profile and prolactin level and androgen estimation .

PCOS
PCOS EXAMINATION

There should be  two out of three criteria:

1.chronic anovulation,

2.clinical or biological hyperandrogenism, [excess levels of male hormones]

3.polycystic ovaries morphology that means your ovary should have  at least 12 follicles measuring 2 mm to 9 mm in the whole ovary or increased ovarian size more than 10 ml.

Treatment options

Lifestyle Modification

Its first and best option for you.

If you are obese with PCOS then , exercise and calorie-restrictive diets are the best first-line interventions for weight loss and for improved glucose tolerance.

Women's Health -Understanding Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): Can it be cured?
Women’s Health -Understanding Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS): Can it be cured?

Different studies have shown that hirsutism can improve as well as regulation of the menstrual cycle and ovulation can happen with life style modification.

Drugs

Hormonal Contraceptive

It’s a First-line treatment for menstrual abnormalities, hirsutism, and  either oral contraceptive, patch, or vaginal rings can be given to you.

The progestin component decreases LH levels, indirectly decreasing ovarian androgen production and leads to resolution of symptoms to some extent.

Metformin

Metformin is also second-line therapy for menstrual irregularities if you have  contraindication for hormonal contraceptive.

It helps you  to restore normal menses, weight loss, and reduce insulin resistance. You can also go through https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459251/ for more reading.

Infertility Treatment

First-line therapy for infertility in PCOS  is clomiphene citrate. This is a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM).

Clomiphene enhances fertility and ovulation, especially by its effect on the hypothalamus.

Cosmetic interventions

Its done when medications start working.

These can be bleaching and temporary hair removal methods, using electrolysis for localized areas on your body  and with the experienced operator, using laser hair removal for generalized hirsutism.

Can PCOS  get cured?

 PCOS is a challenging condition that requires a multifaceted approach to management.

While there’s no cure, adopting a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management techniques, can help alleviate symptoms and improve overall quality of life  with PCOS.