Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
I have a friend who was married five years ago but up to now they have no children. My friend found out that she has polycystic ovary syndrome.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem which affects woman’s menstrual cycle as well as the ability to have children, heart, hormones and blood vessels. A woman with PCOS has high levels of androgens (male hormones), many small cysts (fluids filled sacs) in the ovaries and missed or irregular periods.
The cause of polycystic ovary syndrome still unknown but associated with genetic and insulin. Women with PCOS will be likely to have a mother or sister with PCOS. For some women with PCOS, their body has too much insulin in their body. Excess insulin tend to increase production of androgen.
Common symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome includes; infrequent or irregular menstrual period or no menstrual period at all, excessive growth of body and facial hair, infertility (unable to produce child), ovarian cysts, overweight or obesity, acne or oily skin and dandruff, and type 2 diabetes or insulin resistance. Some symptoms of PCOS may be similar to other medical condition. It is best to consult your physician for a diagnosis. Through pelvic examination, blood test, ultrasound, glucose screening test for blood sugar levels and blood levels for cholesterol and triglycerides, PCOS can be detected.
Since there is no cure for PCOS, it is necessary to prevent problem. Some treatments for PCOS are oral contraceptives (birth control pills), diabetes medication, weight reduction and medication to treat hair growth or acne. For those who want to be pregnant, a fertility medication or ovulation induction medication is advised to stimulate the ovary to make one or more follicles and release the egg for fertilization. Surgery is used with those that do not respond with fertility medications.
Woman with PCOS often feel embarrassed and depressed and has low self-esteem. Of course, having PCOS is difficult so it is important to give enough love for them so that they feel secured in order to boost self-esteem.
April 23rd, 2009 | Tags: PCOS, polycystic ovary | Category: Womens Health
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