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What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a problem which can affect as many as one in 15 women. It can cause a plethora of negative symptoms, including infertility and diabetes. The cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is unknown, but many researchers think there are multiple factors that play a role in the development of this condition, including genetics and insulin production.

Symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Ovarian polycystic syndrome causes a woman's hormones to go out of balance. This can cause problems with menstrual cycles and periods, either by increasing the frequency of periods, or causing them to be irregular, and can make it very difficult to become pregnant. As implied by the name, ovarian cysts are very common symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Removal of them often necessitates a surgical procedure, and can cause a great amount of pain and discomfort. Other internal symptoms include high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Heart attack, stroke, and diabetes can all be caused by this condition, and the risk of them occurring increases with age.

Polycystic ovary syndrome can also cause unwanted changes in the way that a woman looks. The excess of insulin that polycystic ovarian syndrome causes in some women can also cause their bodies to create excess androgen, one of the male hormones. This can increase the risk of acne, cause unwanted hair growth on the face, stomach, chest and back, and weight gain. It can also cause patches of skin to thicken or turn brown, male pattern baldness, and excessive skin tags.

Treatment for Ovarian Polycystic Syndrome

Currently, there is no cure for ovarian polycystic syndrome. Early diagnosis and treatment are extremely important to help control the long-term effects that symptoms can cause, such as permanent infertility, heart disease, and diabetes.

In order to diagnose polycystic ovarian syndrome, physicians must rely on multiple tools. They often use a patient's medical history, physical exams, ultrasounds and blood tests to help them diagnose their patients.

Just like symptoms, treatment goals vary from woman to woman. They are based on which symptoms she is experiencing, and whether or not she wants to become pregnant. Treatment goals always include decreasing the chances of heart disease and diabetes.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome treatment varies from woman to woman as well. They may include the use of medications to treat diabetes, high blood pressure and infertility, as well as to stop the production of the male hormone, androgen, and to help clear up acne. Some doctors will use surgery as a method of assisting a woman to become pregnant and help lower levels of the male hormone.

Researchers have been able to find out that by eating healthy, exercising, and maintaining a healthy weight, women can play a vital role in managing their own polycystic ovary syndrome. This can help minimize the long term risks to the body, as well as manage some of the more superficial polycystic ovarian syndrome symptoms.

The previous article is on Acupuncture and Infertility.

Other wiki resources: causes of infertility; conception; how to get pregnant; artifical insemination; infertility studies; fertility after 40