Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

2023-01-31

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common health problem due to an imbalance of reproductive hormones (1). The hormonal imbalance leads to problems in the ovaries. PCOS is a common condition that affects women during their reproductive age.

The 3 main features of PCOS are:

  • Irregular periods: The ovaries do not regularly release eggs (ovulation). You can have fewer periods, irregular periods, or one that lasts longer than usual.
  • Excess androgen: High levels of male hormones in your body may cause physical signs such as excess facial or body hair.
  • Polycystic ovaries: The ovaries are enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs (follicles) surrounding the eggs. The ovaries might not function as they expected.

If you have at least 2 of these features, you may be diagnosed with PCOS (2).

 

Symptoms of PCOS

Some of the symptoms of PCOS include:

Irregular menstrual cycle

Women with PCOS may miss periods or have fewer periods (fewer than eight in a year). Or, their periods may come every 21 days or more often. Some women with PCOS stop having menstrual periods.

Hirsutism

High levels of the male hormone androgen cause too much hair in areas such as the face, chin, or body parts where men usually have hair. Hirsutism affects up to 70% of women with PCOS (3). The condition can also cause acne on the face, chest, and upper back, thinning hair, or male-pattern baldness.

 

Weight challenges

Women with PCOS experience weight gain or difficulty losing weight.

Skin issues

Hyperpigmentation or darkening of the skin, particularly along neck creases, in the groin, and underneath breasts. Presence of skin tags, which are small excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area (4).

Who gets PCOS?

Between 5% and 10% of women between 18 and 44, or during the reproductive years, can have PCOS (5). Most women find out they have PCOS in their 20s and 30 when they have problems getting pregnant and see their doctor. But PCOS can happen at any age after puberty.

Women of all races and ethnicities are at risk of PCOS. Your risk of PCOS may be higher if you have obesity or have a family history; your mother, sister, or aunt have PCOS (6).

 

Diagnosis

According to the Mayo Clinic, there is no single test to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) precisely. However, your healthcare provider can recommend the following:

  • Pelvic exam
  • Blood tests
  • Ultrasound

If you have a diagnosis of PCOS, your provider can recommend further tests for complications.

 

What are the Complications of PCOS?

Women with PCOS are more likely to develop serious health problems, such as:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • Problems with the heart and blood vessels
  • Fertility issues
  • Uterine cancer.

 

Can a woman still get pregnant if she has PCOS?

PCOS is one of the most common, but treatable causes of infertility in women. In women with PCOS, the hormonal imbalance interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries (ovulation). If women don’t ovulate, they can’t get pregnant.

Treatments

Clomifene may be the first treatment recommended for women with PCOS trying to get pregnant. Clomifene encourages the monthly release of an egg from the ovaries. If clomifene is unsuccessful in encouraging ovulation, another medicine called metformin may be recommended.

 

Diet to Improve PCOS

A healthful PCOS diet can also include the following foods:

  • Natural, unprocessed foods
  • High-fiber foods
  • Fatty fish, including salmon, tuna, sardines, and mackerel
  • Kale, spinach, and other dark, leafy greens
  • Dark red fruits include red grapes, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, broccoli, and cauliflower (7).

Written by: Tayyeba Idrees Butt, M.D.