Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the condition in females in which the level of women sex hormone estrogen and progesterone get disturbed. This imbalance of the sex hormones leads to many further problems like growth of ovarian cysts and disturb the menstrual cycle, fertility, appearance and cardiac function. Females generally after puberty get affected from this condition.
Causes of PCOS
However the cause for polycystic ovarian syndrome is unknown but the IVF experts believe that this problem can be due to hormonal imbalances and even due to family history. Genetic reasons are major cause for this problem among females it means if your mother or sister is affected from this problem then there are great chances for you to get caught by this problem.
Another contributing factor can be overproduction of hormone androgen it is the male hormone and get produced in females in small amount but women with PCOS produce the higher amount of this hormone. It can affect the ovulation and even the excess of insulin level can also lead to higher level of androgen.
Symptoms for PCOS
The signs for PCOS start soon after the puberty but the type and severity for these symptoms may vary female to female. The most common and early sign of this condition is the irregular periods as sometime women have no periods and some time lesser and even they do not have periods regular on each month.
Even due to the out of balance of sex hormones females can notice other symptoms such as
- Growth of unwanted hair on chest, stomach, thumbs or toes
- Reduced size of breast
- Change in the voice
- Hair thinning
- Acne problem
- Excess weight gain
- Pelvic pain
- Anxiety and even depression sometime
- Infertility problem
- Indirect problems due to PCOS like diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol due to weight gain in PCOS
Diagnosis
As such there is not any specific test for this condition generally IVF doctors ask for the family history, medical history and review the symptoms and conduct some test to know about the severity and further possible conditions.
Even the doctors perform the physical and pelvic examination t6o examine the swollen ovaries. Even the blood test are conducted to check the level of hormone, thyroid, blood sugar level and cholesterol level.
Even vaginal ultrasound is taken to reach to root of problem and in extreme cases pelvic laparoscopy is performed surgically to fir camera in abdomen to check the condition of swollen ovaries
How PCOS can be treated?
Treatment for this condition depends on the willingness of getting pregnant or not? If you are not planning for pregnancy then PCOS can be controlled with the good and healthy diet , changing lifestyle and adding some activities to control your weight. PCOS women must avoid the consumption of alcohol and smoking to get rid from the problem as the higher level of smoking may have higher level of androgens which can be cause for severity of this problem.
If you are planning for pregnancy then IVF specialists can suggest for some treatment and medications to induce the ovulation and balance the level of female sex hormones.