PCOS wreaks bodily havoc
Danielle Matheny, Variety Editor
photo: Graphic by Danielle Matheny
Let’s face it: the combination of obesity, unwanted hair growth, insulin-resistance and infertility is not appealing to most women.
Unfortunately, these symptoms and more affect as many as one in ten women of childbearing age, according to womenshealth.gov (www.4woman.gov/faq/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.cfm).
The culprit? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a disease characterized by the growth of many small cysts on the ovaries that can cause big problems.
The Cause
The cause of the disease is unknown, but it is thought that various factors play a part.
PCOS tends to run in families: its sufferers usually have a mother or sister with the disease as well.
Studies also suggest that PCOS is linked with insulin resistance, which is most common in the overweight and inactive.
The symptoms themselves are caused by a “vicious cycle” of hormonal imbalances, according to WebMD (www.webmd.com).
For whatever reason, the ovaries of women with PCOS don’t produce enough of a hormone that matures the eggs.
Follicles (egg sacs) build up fluid as the egg grows, but instead of releasing the mature egg during ovulation, they remain in the ovaries as cysts.
These cysts produce androgens (male sex hormones) in greater amounts than the low levels needed by the female body.
This causes other symptoms and further prevents ovulation, according to womenshealth.gov.
When ovulation doesn’t occur, the body is not signaled to produce the hormone progesterone, which causes irregular or missed periods.
When a woman misses her period, the uterine lining (endometrium) can thicken over time, causing heavy bleeding when periods do occur.
Insulin resistance, which occurs in about half of women with PCOS, is another hormonal problem in which the body cannot control its blood sugar levels.
Diagnosis
A doctor will often start with a general physical exam to check for outward signs of PCOS, for example, high blood pressure or excess body hair growth.
This may also include checking the patient’s height and weight to see if her body mass index is healthy and measuring her waist.
He or she will also definitely ask about the patient’s menstrual history, as irregularities are a defining symptom of PCOS. (Therefore it’s a good idea to keep track of your periods if you think you may have PCOS.)
The doctor may also perform a pelvic exam or vaginal ultrasound to check for cysts and a thickened endometrium.
Some blood tests may also be conducted to check blood sugar and hormone levels. This can help to rule out other possible health problems, such as thyroid issues.
Treatment
There is no cure for PCOS, but the condition can be managed by lifestyle changes as well as medications.
Weight control is an essential but challenging part of PCOS treatment, as it is both a risk factor and a symptom for the disease. However, managing weight with regular exercise and healthy eating are essential, as they can mitigate all symptoms.
This is especially important as PCOS raises the risk for life-threatening conditions such as heart disease, stroke and uterine cancer. Quitting smoking also reduces risks and decreases the production of androgens.
Those who aren’t currently trying to conceive (which likely covers most college women) can take hormonal birth control to regulate and lighten their periods and minimize androgenic symptoms like acne and hair growth.
In additon to birth control, some doctors may prescribe a drug called spironolactone, which decreases male-pattern hair growth and acne.
Other prescription or over-the counter treatments for acne and body- hair removal may be recommended.
Problems conceiving can be treated with fertility and insulin-reducing drugs, though weight loss often jump starts ovulation—a loss of five to seven percent of body weight over six months will restore ovulation and fertility in more than 75 percent of PCOS-diagnosed women, according to WebMD.
Common Symptoms
• Irregular or absent menstrual periods
• Heavy bleeding during periods
• Weight gain or obesity with fat distribution around the waist
• High blood pressure and cholesterol (can lead to heart disease)
• Insulin resistance (can lead to diabetes)
• Excess body or facial hair growth
• Male-pattern hair loss
• Oily skin and/or acne
• Skin tags
• Infertility
• Depression
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