I would like to explain to you about your diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome along with some of the symptoms you are experiencing.
What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may experience infrequent or prolonged menstrual cycles, an excess level of male hormone androgen, which can cause excessive facial and body hair (hirsutism) and occasionally severe acne or male pattern baldness. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, certain genes are thought to be linked to PCOS along with hereditary gene traits. This can cause the weight gain along with excess hair growth, acne, and your delayed menstrual cycle.
How do I know if I need to be concerned with this? Qualities that play a role in PCOS can include excess insulin, a hormone which is produced to use sugar as your primary energy source. Normally insulin is a hormone made by your pancreas and controls your blood glucose levels in your body. With this disease, your body cells can become resistant to insulin and this can interfere with the way insulin controls your blood sugar levels. With insulin resistance, your bodies insulin is less likely to be able to lower your extra blood sugar levels. The extra insulin may increase androgen hormone production which can make ovulation more difficult. With the extra male androgen hormone, you may notice more facial or body hair that mimics male patterns, along with more acne. Complications that can arise with PCOS is infertility, along with problems during pregnancy such as gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, miscarriages or premature births. Other complications with PCOS can include obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorder, sleep apnea, depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Obesity complicates PCOS and makes your symptoms worse.
How is it diagnosed? There are several tests to aid in the diagnosis of PCOS. They include a pelvic exam and blood test to monitor your hormones, lipid panels and glucose tolerance levels along with an ultrasound of your ovaries which looks for enlargement and cysts. Having you monitor your menstrual periods and any weight changes, acne or excess hair growth can be important for your doctor to review.
What is the treatment, can it be managed? The treatment for PCOS focus on managing your individual concerns, such as having excessive hair growth, acne, obesity or infertility. Management recommends weight loss and exercise which can improve PCOS and the symptoms of infertility. Your doctor may recommend medications to regulate your menstrual cycle, help you ovulate and reduce excessive hair growth for help with managing the symptoms of PCOS.