One condition women must watch out for is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common disorder of the endocrine system. According to UK Research and Innovation, which recently funded the Hupela-PCOS-Filipina program, PCOS affects approximately 4.5 million Filipino women, many of whom receive less than ideal healthcare to deal with the health risks associated with this serious condition.
But what exactly is PCOS? What are its symptoms and potential complications? Most importantly, how can it be treated?
PCOS Explained
What Is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a type of hormonal disorder in which women may have an oversupply of the male androgen hormone or prolonged menstruation. As a result, minute follicles or fluid-filled sacs called cysts form on the ovaries that prevent the production of the ova or egg cells during ovulation.
Who can get PCOS?
According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Office on Women’s Health, “Women of all races and ethnicities are at risk of PCOS.” However, women in the 15–44 age range often find out they have PCOS only when they discover they cannot get pregnant.
Causes of PCOS
Medical experts are still not sure about what exactly causes PCOS. But experts speculate that a combination of factors is the likely culprit, which includes:
Genetics
A predisposition to acquire a particular medical condition means women are more likely to have PCOS if there is a history of it in the family.
Elevated androgen levels
Excess androgen supposedly keeps the ovaries from producing egg cells during ovulation. Unfortunately, these high androgen levels are also associated with the formation of some common PCOS symptoms, such as acne breakout and the growth of extra hair.
High insulin levels
High insulin levels have been observed in some women who have PCOS. But this relationship is more relational than causal with those afflicted with PCOS who have insulin resistance.
Increased inflammation
Inflammation is one of the body’s mechanisms in healing itself. But too much inflammation is also linked to PCOS as inflammation is said to increase androgen levels.
Photo by Isabella and Zsa Fischer on Unsplash
Symptoms of PCOS
Below are the common symptoms of PCOS:
- Irregular period or not menstruating at all
- Heavy bleeding (since there is massive uterine lining buildup for more extended periods)
- Difficulties conceiving
- Hirsutism or excessive hair growth in different body parts that otherwise have little to no hair, like the face, back, chest, and buttocks
- Unexplained or sudden weight gain
- Hair loss or unexplained and continuous thinning of the hair
- Oily skin is usually accompanied by acne breakouts.
- Darkening of the skin around the neck, under the breasts, and in the groin area
- Frequent headaches (caused by hormonal imbalance)
Possible Complications of PCOS
When left untreated, PCOS can lead to more severe complications. One common complication is metabolic syndrome, which increases your risk of hypertension, diabetes, and high LDL or harmful cholesterol levels. These conditions together can lead to heart disease and stroke.
Another likely complication is endometrial cancer, which can be caused by the continuous thickening of the uterine lining. This happens because when you cannot ovulate monthly, the uterine lining will just build up. The longer you go without ovulating, the thicker this lining will be, making you more vulnerable to endometrial cancer.
Those suffering from PCOS can even fall into depression for several reasons, like the inability to conceive and the hormonal imbalances associated with this condition. In addition, unwanted hair growth can also lead to changes in appearance that can lower self-esteem and cause anxiety.
Diagnosing PCOS
If you observe a combination of the above symptoms, consult a gynecologist right away. To make a diagnosis, your doctor will first ask which among the signs you have. Your doctor may then perform a pelvic exam and an ultrasound to check the integrity or condition of your ovaries and the rest of your reproductive system. They can also order blood tests to check for insulin, cholesterol, and androgen levels.
Treating PCOS
There is no cure per se for PCOS. However, there are ways to manage it. Here are some of them:
Maintain a healthy weight
Getting to your ideal weight controls and lowers your blood sugar level, which helps you avoid diabetes and insulin resistance. In addition, keeping a healthy weight may improve the efficacy of medications that your doctor might prescribe.
Take prescribed birth control pills
Your doctor may instruct you to take birth control pills that contain progestin and estrogen. The reason being is that these two hormones reduce the production of androgen and keep your estrogen levels in check. These pills can also decrease your risk of endometrial cancer and prevent unwanted hair growth.
Take medication
Your doctor may prescribe anti-estrogen and hormone medications to control your hormone levels if you want to conceive. They may even prescribe metformin to control your blood sugar levels.
Get surgery
Your doctor may recommend that you get surgery such as oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries), hysterectomy (removal of the uterus or part of it), and ovarian drilling (drilling of holes in the ovary to lessen androgen production).
Living with PCOS can be daunting and frustrating, but it is possible to maintain a good quality of life despite having it. The key is to have regular checkups with your gynecologist, shift to a healthy lifestyle, and follow the management prescription given to you.
