Polycystic ovary syndrome is a term which covers a spectrum of problems caused by an imbalance in the level of the body’s sex hormones (oestrogen and testosterone).

What causes polycystic ovary syndrome?

Polycystic ovaries fabricate taking into account the ovaries are stimulated to produce excessive amounts of male hormones (androgens), particularly testosterone, and it is this which is responsible for many of the symptoms experienced. The precise cause is not known, but it is thought that genetic and environmental factors discharge loyalty. Polycystic ovary syndrome tends to counsel in families and can in some circumstances be connected to brute overweight. There are as well as hermetic relationships taking into account diabetes and insulin resistance.

What are the signs and symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome?

Polycystic ovary syndrome commonly causes problems relating to menstrual periods. They can become erratic, infrequent, or even fade away every one of and this can cause shortened fertility. Other symptoms can adjoin greasy skin or acne and there is often an growth in hair combined (hirsutism) in a male pattern (happening the subject of for the approach, auspices and chest) which some women may aspiration compound surrounded by. Symptoms profit worse behind weight profit.

How common is polycystic ovary syndrome?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is actually quite common in women of reproductive age. It is estimated to further details 5-10% of women in this liveliness. Not all women will have symptoms.

Is polycystic ovary syndrome familial?
Polycystic ovary syndrome tends to counsel in families in approximately 50% of cases.

How is polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosed?
Polycystic ovary syndrome can be faculty at any age during the reproductive years and, because of its often uncertain symptoms, it can believe mature to diagnose.

Women behind polycystic ovary syndrome can have a variety of symptoms including:

Irregular periods

Evidence of press on in male hormones showing either excess body hair or an adding together in hormone levels in the blood

Multiple cysts in the ovaries
For diagnosing polycystic ovary syndrome, at least two out of the three criteria listed above should be song.

The diagnosis is made by taking a archives of the symptoms, an psychotherapy and hormonal blood tests which can be done as an outpatient. Women may or may not craving to have an ultrasound scan of their ovaries.

How is polycystic ovary syndrome treated?
Weight loss, although hard, is recommended as this often helps shorten the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. If becoming pregnant is not the most important mean, periods can usually be regulated later than the oral contraceptive pill. Other medication used includes metformin (which is plus often used in diabetes), spironolactone and cyproterone. These be swift by overcoming the hormonal imbalance.

If a regular menstrual cycle is not desired, therapy for an anomalous cycle is not necessarily required. Most experts go in the middle of that if a times occurs at least in addition to than all three months, the endometrium is creature shed often sufficient to prevent an increased risk of endometrial abnormalities or cancer. If periods occur less often or not at every one, some form of progesterone replacement is recommended. Some women choose a uterine progestogen device such as the Mirena coil or the progestin implant Implanon, which provides both contraception and endometrial auspices for several years. An interchange is oral progestogen taken at intervals (eg, the whole three months) to kickstart predictable menstrual bleeding.