Essay On Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Hyperandrogenism often presents itself in the physical form with acne, hirsutism (male-patterned hair growth), and alopecia. While insulin resistance is typically present in a patient with a higher BMI, 70% of women with PCOS have this condition, putting them at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes (Goodarzi et al., 2011). Other metabolic complications can occur with PCOS, including hypertension and dyslipidemia (Madnani, 2013). The hormonal secretions of the body’s endocrine glands are affected by the hormonal secretions of the ovaries and vice versa via feedback mechanisms. The disruption of normal hormone secretions, particularly hypersecretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), can reduce the chance of conception and increase the risk of miscarriage (Balen,

Imagine a syndrome that can cause you, or a woman you know, to be infertile, depressed, anxious, obese, or hirsute, along with many others. Polycystic ovary syndrome can cause all of these issues in a woman who is affected by the condition. If it is not treated properly or on time, it could lead to other serious medical issues that could even be life threatening. Polycystic ovary syndrome, otherwise known as PCOS, is not a commonly known syndrome and many women affected by it are not diagnosed or treated for it. PCOS is a major medical problem that is affecting five to ten percent of the female population in the U.S. and many more across the globe (American Diabetes Association, 2014). This syndrome must become better known in the near future so that women with PCOS can take better control and care of their own body.

The motive of this paper is to present a analysis of current research on polycystic ovary syndrome more commonly known as PCOS. Pcos is one the most common endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age, affecting 5-10% of the population. Despite it's prevalence, pcos remains largely unknown. The main focus of this paper will be explaining what PCOS is, the causes, the diagnosis and the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.

The number one cause of infertility in women is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It is an endocrine disorder, which affects 7%, or one out of fifteen, women in the population. CITE Although reducing body weight by 10% has shown to improve frequency of ovulation and chances of conception, this is one of the few nonmedical interventions a women can try in order to improve the possibility for pregnancy. All other forms of treatment require a medical or pharmaceutical

The summer before my freshman year, I was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is an endocrine disorder that is characterized by fatigue, unmanageable weight, infertility, increased androgen levels, and excess insulin, among others. I was prescribed a medicine called Metformin, which, while considered a medication for Type 2 diabetics, is effective in treating PCOS as well. Later I was also put on a birth control pill to regulate my hormones. Throughout the past three years I have had to learn about nutrition, and specifically a PCOS diet, and exercise and why my body needs proper nutrition and exercise more than others might. This has been difficult for me because even though I consider myself active, I had never before worked out with a purpose to be healthier.

Dr. James maintains membership in the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists and the esteemed Alpha Omega Alpha honor medical society. She has also worked to advance the field of reproductive medicine by contributing to research concerning polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and advanced laparoscopic surgery.

According to PubMed Health, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which women possess abnormally high level of male hormones. The high hormone levels lead to risks of irregular or absent menstrual cycles, insulin resistance, ovarian cysts, issues related to the circulatory system, obesity, heart disease, diabetes and etc. Symptoms differ between each woman therefore, despite research data collected showing that PCOS affects 5-10% of women between the age of 18-44, there are many women who live their lives unaware that they have PCOS. The most common symptoms include: absences of ovulation, high levels of androgen present, and abnormal hair growth. The cause of PCOS is still unknown as more research is much-needed to better understand the disorder.

If the pancreas can manage with your body’s high demand for insulin your blood sugar levels will remain normal and you would not become a diabetic. Because diabetes and PCOS is closely related it is monitored closely. It is shown that women with PCOS is in much greater risk in developing diabetes. Research has shown that once the pancreatic islet cells have become exhausted and depleted in the over production of insulin to satisfy the body requirements, your pancreas stop making insulin and your blood sugar becomes elevated. When that happens the patient becomes diabetic. Besides diabetes a woman with PCOS is more likely to develop uterine cancer and heart disease. Patients are also advised not to smoke while diagnosed with PCOS because it increases the risk for heart disease.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects approximately seven to eight percent of women of childbearing age. While the cause of PCOS is still unknown, it is believed to be a genetic disorder. Often a mother or sister of a woman affected will exhibit symptoms similar to PCOS. Due to the change in the levels of estrogen and progesterone, during ovulation mature eggs are not released which begin to form very small cyst within or on the ovary. These cysts cause infertility. Women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome can overcome infertility through weight loss, laparoscopy (ovarian drilling), medicinal treatment or in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Increased androgen hormone levels within the body can negatively affect the normal ovulation process and cause fluid-filled cysts to form on the ovaries. PCOS prevents ovarian egg release during the menstrual cycle, which causes infertility in women with this condition. Additional symptoms of PCOS include pelvic pain, acne, oily skin, hair loss or excessive hair growth on the body or face. Currently, there is no cure for PCOS but hormone therapy can help regulate your menstrual cycle or clear up your skin.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects an estimated 5-10 percent of women of childbearing age and it is a leading cause of infertility. It is the most common endocrinopathy among reproductive age women and as many as 30 percent of women have some characteristics of the syndrome.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder diagnosed in women of reproductive age. The disease manifests itself with varying symptoms and has long term consequences of heart disease, diabetes, and infertility. PCOS has no clear etiology or pathophysiology, and as new information is being contributed, the mechanism and components of the disease is being updated. Presented here are the most understood and accepted components of PCOS, and its pathology as a reproductive disorder along with its endocrine and metabolic relationships. PCOS pathophysiology exhibits itself mainly through increased androgen synthesis through ovaries and adrenal glands causing follicle growth to halt in the antral stage. Its etiology has been determined to be multifactorial with both genetic and environmental factors causing or increasing effects. Genetics of PCOS have shown its transmission to be in autosomal dominant fashion while environmental factors such as obesity, insulin resistance, and intrauterine environment contributes to its phenotype. Relationships between the factors are discussed and how they contribute to the overall phenotype.

There is one dream that every little girl has when growing up, that is becoming a mother; to love and watch her children grow. No one ever dreams of that not happening to them or being part of that group being label as infertile. It happens to millions of women living in the United States every day. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is the most common endocrine disease that affects women of reproductive age, which is typically puberty to menopause. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome does not only affect a woman’s ovaries and chances of conceiving, but it affects the whole endocrine system in the body. It can cause Excess Androgen Production, Insulin Resistant, Obesity, Hirsute and Cardiovascular problems.

There are many long-term consequences of PCOS. If PCOS is not properly treated there is a bigger chance of having long-term consequences. One of these consequences is type II diabetes. Women with PCOS frequently have hyperinsulinism and insulin resistance. Women who have irregular ovulation tend to have more insulin resistance. Insulin resistance is a precursor to diabetes, so PCOS patients are more at risk of developing diabetes. It is also shown that women with PCOS are more at risk of having glucose intolerance. Researchers found that women with PCOS also have an increased incidence of mortality related to diabetes complications (Nandi et al., 2014).

This is due to the way their bodies suffer from insulin resistance which causes an increase in weight gain. Researchers discovered that “hepatic insulin resistance, characterized by both increased post absorptive glucose production and reduced sensitivity to insulin mediated suppression of endogenous glucose production, is present only in obese women with PCOS compared to control women of comparable body weight” (Sam, 2007). So, a woman whose body that cannot process insulin properly or produces to much insulin runs the risk of obesity and increases their chance of having PCOS.