Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder of the endocrine system that affects women. It is primarily characterized by hyperandrogenic activity, oligoovulation, and polycystic ovaries. PCOS is one of the most common endocrinopathies, affecting 6-10% of women. A woman with polycystic ovaries can develop PCOS over the time, and the disease has a strong familial link (Balen, 1999).

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.

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.

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,

One study done on one hundred patients with PCOS showed that administration of metformin and pioglitazone shows 50 percent effectiveness in helping menstrual cycle irregularities by the end of six-months of treatment. Both medications also showed a decrease in LDL and an increase in HDL overall, but this was seen more in the pioglitazone group. This study showed that 64% of women with PCOS also had hyperinsulinism. HOMA-IR, used to assess insulin resistance, was shown to have a 15% decrease with metformin and a 50% decrease in patients who used pioglitazone. Thus, for protection from diabetes pioglitazone may be the better treatment. Ovulation was shown to be restored in up to 56% of patients on metformin and pioglitazone. This study showed that pioglitazone may be a new and better option for treatment of PCOS since it can delay onset of type II diabetes, help with signs of hyperandrogenism, and regulate menstrual cycles (sangeeta,

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome also known as Stein-Leventhal Syndrome, occurs in 5% to 10% of women and is one of the causes of infertility. PCOS is observed by ultrasound as a number of small cysts on a woman’s ovary, and it’s

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal disorder which effects around five million women of reproductive age in the United States (activebeat.co). The ovaries and adrenal glands excrete abnormally high levels of male hormones which prevents the regular release of an egg, causing many fluid filled sacs, or cysts, to form on the ovaries. Several types of cysts can be found on the ovaries of someone diagnosed with PCOS, the most common being those developed during the menstrual cycle, functional cysts. Follicular cysts are a subcategory of functional cysts formed by the overgrown follicle resulting from an unreleased egg. When a follicle ruptures following the release of an egg, the follicle may reseal and cause fluid buildup, resulting in a corpus luteum cyst; these cysts may enlarge considerably, causing pain, bleeding, or twisting of the ovary (PCOS Awareness Association). Some cysts resolve themselves in one to three months while others grow to be painfully large and require surgery to remove.

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).

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).

Your health is your wealth. When you look good, you'll naturally feel even better. Poly-cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects the looks and overall health of countless women. The common symptoms of women with PCOS include weight gain, acne, depression/moodiness and hirsutism. There are other symptoms that can flare up, but all of these issues can run a number on a woman's self-esteem and appearance. Additionally, there's no cure for PCOS. Most times, doctors prescribe medicines like Metformin to manage the insulin resistance issue. Many women deal with this and feel alone and hopeless. Thankfully, there is a way to manage the symptoms and experience the appearance and body of your dreams. The solution revolves around lifestyle changes. The changes can be

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.