Understanding polycystic syndrome (PCOS) is complicated. It affects your menstrual cycle and has some strange symptoms. Many women actually have PCOS, yet have never been diagnosed. It’s possible one of them could be you.
What Is PCOS
The first thing about understanding polycystic ovary syndrome is how a syndrome is defined. A syndrome is a group of symptoms that consistently occur together. In this case, it affects a woman’s ovaries and ovulation. PCOS is a hormonal problem women develop during their childbearing years. As high as 27% of women may have PCOS, but many don’t realize it.
A woman’s reproductive organs, or the ovaries, produce both estrogen and progesterone, which help to regulate the menstrual cycle. The ovaries also produce a small amount of male hormones known as androgens.
There are three fundamental features of PCOS: cysts in the ovaries, a higher-than-normal amount of male hormones, and irregular or skipped periods.
When a woman has PCOS, she has multiple fluid-filled sacs each with an immature egg, but they never mature enough to trigger ovulation. This lack of ovulation affects all the hormones causing fewer female ones and more male ones. The extra male hormones in turn disrupt the menstrual cycle if you have PCOS, and you get fewer periods than normal.
At The Wright Center for Women’s Health, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Through our Comprehensive Health Assessment (CHA), routine ultrasounds can help detect PCOS by providing a clear view of the ovaries. In addition, the lab tests we conduct can indicate hormonal imbalances commonly associated with PCOS, allowing for a more accurate diagnosis and personalized care plan.
Symptoms Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
There are many signs of PCOS including the following:
- Irregular, infrequent, or prolonged periods is the main sign
- Heavy bleeding
- Extra male hormones can cause excess facial and body hair
- Oily skin leading to severe breakouts on the face, chest, and upper back
- Male pattern baldness
- Weight gain —80% of women with PCOS are obese or overweight
- Headaches
- Difficulty getting pregnant
Other Complications And Risk Factors From PCOS
PCOS can lead to the development of metabolic syndrome, which consists of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high LDL or bad cholesterol, and low HDL or good cholesterol.
Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.
Other risk factors include sleep apnea, depression, and endometrial cancer.
If you suspect you may be suffering from PCOS, contact The Wright Center for Women’s Health at (630) 687-9595 for an evaluation at our Naperville, IL office to learn more about treatment options, along with lifestyle changes that can help.