What´s Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a common endocrine disorder that can affect many women. It is also “an incurable disorder that affects 1 in 10 women and over 50% do not know they have it” (PCOS Awareness Association, 2014). An ultrasound exam can reveal that women with PCOS have a collection of follicles on enlarged ovaries. The particular cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is unknown. It could be connected to long-term complications; therefore, doctors recommend weight loss to reduce this risk. Also, early diagnosis and treatment can have an impact on deciphering if a woman will have long-term complications. Such complications include type 2

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.

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.

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

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).

I also learned that 5% 10% of women are effected by PCOS, as well as that up to 70% of those affected by it have insulin resistance PCOS. I am going to use this information in my paper to build off of and answer other questions like other ways to prevent the development of metabolic syndrome and how many other types of PCOS there are. I will also use the information from this article to support my claims that I don’t think that metformin should be used to treat all women with PCOS because it is only effective in some

Polycystic Ovarian syndrome was first characterized in the 1930’s and was called Stein Leventhal syndrome. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (pcos) starts with the appearance of many painless cysts on the ovaries. In females with polycystic ovarian syndrome the ovaries are larger than that of a non polycystic ovarian syndrome female. Pcos has various signs and symptoms which all come from an imbalance of certain hormones affecting the female reproductive system. Doctors have done various tests and studies on polycystic ovarian syndrome some say that the syndrome comes from hormonal imbalances where as some state that this disorder comes from certain genes within the family tree, as well as environmental factors. Thus far there are no direct causes; the syndrome itself has various hormones that come into play.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine condition arising from the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis that presents in women of reproductive ages due to factors such as obesity, excessive insulin production and genetics. This condition often present with irregular periods, excess androgen production and polycystic ovaries (enlarged ovaries that contain small amounts of fluid). Due to the increased in androgen production physical changes such as acne, excessive body and facial hair (Hirsutism) baldness, obesity and ovulation problems occurs (Legro, Arslanian, Ehrmann, Hoeger, Murad, Pasquali, & Welt, 2013). Also with PCOS there is an abnormal increase in production of insulin, which leads to even greater production of androgen (Legro

Women with PCOS exhibit high LH levels and thereby have elevated production of androgens by theca cells. Hyperandrogenism can, in turn, suppress FSH production, leading to ovarian dysfunction, anovulation and infertility. The prevalence of PCOS in women with RPL runs as high as 56% 79,80,81. Obesity coupled with high LH levels can hinder ovarian folliculogenesis and increase the risk of miscarriage. Studies have also suggested an association among PCOS and hyperinsulinemia/insulin resistance, obesity, and hyperhomocysteinemia. Hyperinsulinemia and insulin resistance can negatively affect implantation by decreasing activity of cell adhesion proteins. Hyperhomocysteinemia can also result in miscarriage because of its pro-coagulative nature, similar to cases of thrombophilia

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).

The exact cause of the syndrome is unknown; however, the great importance is emphasised on the pathological decrease of insulin sensitivity by peripheral tissues, especially adipose and muscle tissue (the development of insulin resistance) while maintaining the insulin sensitivity of ovarian tissue. Situation of pathologically elevated insulin sensitivity of ovarian tissue while maintaining normal insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues is also the possible cause of the PCOS. In the first case, as a result of insulin resistance of the organism, there is a compensatory hypersecretion of insulin, leading to the development of hyperinsulinemia. A pathologically elevated blood insulin levels results in ovarian hyperstimulation and increased secretion

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome(PCOS) is a disease where cysts form on a woman’s ovaries. Many people don’t know or understand what this disease is or how it affects its victims. People need to get informed about this disease so they can understand the hardships women face with PCOS.