Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects the female reproductive system, specifically the ovaries, which release eggs.
When you have PCOS, one of the problems is that your ovaries may produce too many androgens (male hormones), causing fluid-filled sacs called cysts to develop on the outside of the ovaries, which contain immature eggs (follicles). The androgens and buildup of cysts may prevent egg release, making PCOS a leading cause of female infertility.
At Women’s Health Specialists, PLLC, our experienced physicians diagnose and treat PCOS in our patients at our Murfreesboro, Tennessee, office. Because many women aren’t aware of the wide range of symptoms the condition can cause, we’re taking this opportunity to get you in the know.
PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects some 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. But because up to 70% of women with PCOS have no symptoms, they may not be diagnosed until they try to get pregnant but can’t.
The exact cause of PCOS remains unknown, though it tends to present more frequently during puberty and appear more frequently in women who are obese.
Hormones are chemical messengers that control bodily functions, including your menstrual cycle and fertility. When you have PCOS, your reproductive hormones aren’t balanced properly, leading to problems.
A number of hormones are involved in PCOS and its symptoms.
This hormone, manufactured in the pancreas, regulates your blood sugar levels. It’s believed that 30%-80% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance, leading to high blood sugar levels that can damage tissues. Some researchers also believe the excess insulin helps cause your body to overproduce androgens.
Other hormones involved in the syndrome include:
High levels of these hormones can prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs on a regular schedule, leading to irregular periods. They also produce a number of symptoms characteristic of the condition.
This hormone helps regulate your menstrual cycle. Insufficient quantities can affect the frequency and duration of your periods.
This hormone triggers your ovaries to release eggs.
This hormone also regulates your menstrual cycle.
With PCOS, your estrogen levels may be too high compared to your progesterone levels, altering the timing and severity of your periods.
Research has linked PCOS to persistent low levels of inflammation in the body. Both insulin resistance and obesity contribute to inflammation, which may explain its higher rate in obese women. Early diagnosis and treatment, together with losing weight, may decrease your risk for long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Common symptoms of PCOS include:
Symptoms that often go unnoticed because the patient doesn’t connect them to the ovaries include:
Taken together, though, these may prompt your doctor to do some blood tests, such as for high blood sugar or high androgen levels, or imaging studies, such as an ultrasound of your ovaries. With early diagnosis and treatment, it may be possible to forestall the worst of the symptoms, including infertility.
Lifestyle adjustments, such as weight loss and regular exercise, can often help get your menstrual cycle back on track. Medications that regulate insulin and how it’s used in your body can also play a role in managing PCOS.
Hormonal birth control is another option. It resets your reproductive hormones to levels that are conducive to producing monthly cycles and may aid in fertility.
If you’re trying to have a child but aren’t successful because of PCOS, our doctors can refer you for treatments like in vitro fertilization that may help you to conceive.
Have you noticed any of the characteristic symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, especially irregular or missing periods or the inability to conceive a child? Women’s Health Specialists, PLLC can help. Call our office at 615-907-2040, or book your appointment online with us today.
