Because its symptoms could easily be mistaken for something else, and other times it doesn’t have symptoms at all, polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most insidious disorders a woman could have. In fact, thousands of women worldwide are affected by PCOS and not know it. What are pcos symptoms?
What is PCOS? PCOS Meaning
Are you familiar with PCOS or maybe you are wondering what is PCOS? What does PCOS mean?
PCOS meaning: PCOS mean polycystic ovarian syndrome. Known as a hormonal disorder, PCOS harms a woman’s reproductive system, and its most common symptoms include a woman’s irregular cycle.
PCOS causes
PCOS causes: Women with PCOS often have multiple cysts in their ovaries or hormonal imbalances such as excess androgens (male hormones) and insulin resistance. In PCOS, ovulation does not occur regularly, which is why it results in menstrual irregularities.
You can tell by the different varieties of symptoms if you have PCOS, many are unaware of their possible condition and this results in being undiagnosed.
Having your symptoms checked by an OB-GYN can help ascertain whether or not you have PCOS.
PCOS symptoms
In a Parent Herald story, OB-GYN Angelique Panagos said that women with PCOS does not have a regular menstrual cycle, thus making ovulation harder for them.
“The symptoms of PCOS actually vary dramatically by person; more than half of women don't have—or believe they have—any at all,” she said. “Some of the most common signs and symptoms include, oily skin and recurring acne, irregular, infrequent or absent periods (known medically as amenorreah), excess facial and body hair growth, head hair loss or thinning, and weight gain.”
PCOS symptoms: What are the first signs of pcos?
It is important to know what are the first signs of PCOS, for you to be able to prevent it from getting worse.
One of the typical symptoms of PCOS is the irregularity of the menstrual cycle, usually long intervals between periods (oligomenorrhea) or missed periods.
Too many male hormones cause symptoms like acne or pimples, hirsutism, or growth in facial and body hair, and make pattern hair loss.
While obesity is particularly prevalent in PCOS-afflicted women, it should be noted that most of them have a normal BMI.
PCOS symptoms and treatment
The following are other PCOS symptoms and treatment
- Irregular menstruation.
- Having a large ovary or multiple ovarian cysts.
- Excessive growth of a lot of hair in different parts of the body, such as the chest, stomach, and back.
- Weight gain, especially around the stomach and belly (abdomen)
- Having oily skin
- Having skin tags or small excess skin around the neck and armpits.
- Thickening and darkening of the skin on the nape, armpits, and under the chest.
PCOS treatment
What is PCOS treatment? How to cure PCOS permanently?
How to cure PCOS permanently? There is no cure for PCOS but you can play a crucial role in monitoring your condition.
Having a healthy lifestyle including a good diet and exercise can help to reduce the symptoms of PCOS.
If you are overweight, reducing your weight by only 2-5% will help you return to normal menstrual cycles. It can reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other diseases.
Medical treatments may be applied to your needs depending on the symptoms you are experiencing. There are medications such as oral contraceptive pills that can treat menstrual irregularities.
The pills also help to reduce the symptoms of excess androgens such as acne and hirsuitism.
Metformin for pcos
Metformin for PCOS is your oral diabetic medication. It can reduce insulin resistance in women with PCOS and also helps with weight loss. There are specific medications to induce ovulation, it can be prescribed to women who want to get pregnant but have difficulty conceiving.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a common condition that can cause significant health complications.
That's why it's important not to ignore symptoms similar to PCOS. When you experience the symptoms mentioned above, it is better to immediately consult your trusted doctor.
If you don't plan to get pregnant, there are some treatments that the doctor can recommend to you. These are the following:
- Birth control pills. This will help to control or regulate your menstrual cycle, lower androgen levels, and reduce the occurrence of gonorrhea.
- Diabetes medication. It is often used to lower insulin resistance in PCOS. Like birth control pills, it can also help to lower androgen levels and make you ovulate regularly.
- Changing the diet and activities you do. A healthy diet combined with physical activity can help reduce your weight and symptoms. Additionally, it helps your body use the insulin it has, lowers your glucose levels, and helps you ovulate.
PCOS pregnancy
How to get pregnant with PCOS? PCOS pregnancy
Are you trying to conceive but you have PCOS? How to get pregnant with PCOS?
Those who want to have a baby may find it difficult because of irregular ovulation.
Meanwhile, in a Cosmopolitan article, it posited that a woman’s weight as well as her diet plays an important role when it comes to PCOS since being overweight affects one’s insulin and insulin affects PCOS.
PCOS can also lead to other health concerns for women, some of which include type 2 diabetes and cancer-related health risks.
“It is important for women to visit the OB-GYN before getting pregnant to make sure that the body is ready to conceive and avoid complications,” said the Parent Herald story.
According to Healthline, PCOS does not prevent pregnancy. You'll probably need to maintain a healthy weight, regulate your blood sugar levels, and manage other PCOS symptoms with medicine and a healthy lifestyle.
In some circumstances, fertility drugs by themselves will aid in conception. If that fails, you might require in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment.
Chances of conception
Healthline also stated that, if you have PCOS and are attempting to get pregnant, medication may be all you need. According to a medical study, clomiphene citrate treatment helped over 80% of PCOS-afflicted women ovulate successfully. Of these, six menstrual cycles later, half of the ladies became pregnant naturally.
Your doctor might suggest IVF procedures if drugs don't help you conceive. The majority of women with PCOS have a 20 to 40% probability of becoming pregnant through IVF. A woman's likelihood of becoming pregnant is decreased if she is above 35 or overweight.
Additional information written by Jobelle Macayan
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