PCOS: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

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.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is "the perfect hormonal storm." (PCOS,2016) What is PCOS? PCOS is commonly known as polycystic ovary syndrome, this is a health problem that can affect many things for women. Polycystic means cysts and can often cause clusters of small, pearl sized cysts in the ovaries. The cysts are fluid filled and contain immature eggs. Polycystic ovary syndrome is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. Infertility is one of the most common symptoms along with the menstrual cycle, hormones, heart and of course the blood vessels. “How many women have PCOS? 1 in 10 and 1 in 20 women of childbearing age have PCOS. As many as 5 million women

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.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous collection of signs and symptoms that together for a spectrum disorder with a mild presentation in some but a severe in others. The pathophysiology of PCOS appears to be multifactorial and polygenic. (Fox, 2011)

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.

I am one of many that are incapable of having kids on my own without the help from doctors. Having been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome at a younger age, I am one of many women who are not able to have kids on my own. I know that “missing” feeling people get when you start to plan out your life, not knowing if one day the gap will be filled or if you should fill the void with something else. This is where I want to be; the space between life and the gap; to try and help fill the inconsistency of others that share this discomfort. There is not anything more discomforting than someone with multiple kids patting your back, whispering soothing tones of “sorry” and wishful promises of, “it will happen for you one day.” Why, because you have the uterus of a donut machine at the local Krispy Kreme? I want to be the person there saying “I know what it’s like, and I’m going to be here to help you through this process.” This is why it is important to me to become a nurse in the field of infertility; to help others with this problem would not only provide me great satisfaction, but it will also help me to understand my own struggles with this problem.

The two most common are Cushing Syndrome and Amenorrhea. “Cushing syndrome occurs when your body is expose to high levels of the hormone cortisol for a long time.” (Mayo Staff Clinic, 2016, p.1) There are several symptoms that Cushing Syndrome shares with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. Some of the symptoms are: weight gain, acne, hirsutism and/or irregular or absent menstrual periods. Evidently, the two diseases share similar symptoms. Another disease that shares similarities with PCOS is Amenorrhea. It is when one or more menstrual cycles are missed or the absence of menstruations. Some of the symptoms are: hair loss, excess facial hair and acne. Amenorrhea, also,

Women, ever wonder what all you inherited from your parents? One condition that women can inherit is polycystic ovarian syndrome. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a complex genetic condition common among women, especially those in reproductive ages. Polycystic ovary syndrome is defined as ovarian dysfunction with polycystic ovaries (Goodarzi et al., 2011). I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) at the age of twelve. It was hard for me to understand at that age what was truly going on with my body, so I just listened to the doctors and did what they said. So, I did this research to learn more about PCOS and learn how I can prevent long term consequences from occurring. This research includes what PCOS is and the symptoms seen with it, causes, how to diagnose it, prevention, treatment and long-term consequences if not treated. The biggest

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.

Since PCOS is the most common endocrine disorder for women of reproductive ages, Questions to explore are: How does lifestyle factors such as obesity impacts the development of PCOS, how does PCOS affects a women quality of life and what are the best treatment options?

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).

PCOS is a condition that creates small cysts on a woman's ovaries. In many instances, these cysts are developed because a woman's hormones are out of balance. The symptoms that women face when they have PCOS will vary. For example, some women may develop acne or have trouble maintaining a healthy weight.

The condition Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) is the most common of endocrine disruptions within women of reproductive ages. The disorder does affect as much as 10% of women within this reproductive lifecycle. The clinical and biochemical features of the condition are diverse and are as follows: fertility disruption, overweight/obesity, irregularities in menstruation (frequent, absent, sporadic) insulin resistance/type 2 diabetes, and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (Jeanes &Hart &Smith & Barr, 2009). The exact aetiology of Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is unknown but does involve both environmental influencers and genetic factors. In summery Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine condition associated with metabolic dysfunction, infertility, and hyperandrogenism. Treatment for PCOS includes diet and lifestyle changes in order to promote a healthy body mass index (BMI) and further reduce hyperinsulinaemia (a symptom of the condition). Medications such as metformin/Glucophage might be utilized for management of the presenting symptoms. PCOS symptoms at present-day can only be managed and no cure for Polycystic ovary syndrome available. (Jeanes &Hart &Smith & Barr, 2009).

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.

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.