Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the main symptoms of PCOS
• Part 2 of 3: Identifying symptoms associated with PCOS
• Part 3 of 3: Long-term complications of PCOS
• Tips

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder of hormone imbalance and occurs in about 10% of women of childbearing age. Women with PCOS usually experience an irregular cycle, acne, fertility problems, gain weight, or have other symptoms. There are also often benign cysts on the ovaries, which can be detected by ultrasound. PCOS can develop as early as a girl is eleven years old, but it can also come later, when a woman is twenty or older. Because the condition can seriously disrupt hormone levels, cycle, appearance and fertility, early diagnosis is very important. If PCOS is detected and treated quickly, long-term complications may be prevented.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Recognizing the main symptoms of PCOS

1. Track your cycle. If you have PCOS, you will likely have irregular, infrequent, or no periods. Notice if your cycle is noticeably irregular, with long intervals between periods, frequent absence of periods, or bleeding between periods. Check if you notice the following things:
   • There is more than 35 days between two periods.
   • You have your period less than 8 times a year.
   • You have not had your period for 4 months or more.
   • You have very light or very heavy periods for a long time.
   • Research has shown that about 50% of women with PCOS have long intervals between periods (this is called oligomenorrhea). About 20% of women with PCOS do not have their periods at all (this is called amenorrhea). Infrequent or irregular ovulation is called oligo-ovulation. Anovulation is the complete absence of ovulation. If you suspect that you are not ovulating - whether the cause is PCOS or something else - see your doctor.
2. Notice if you get more body and facial hair. Healthy women have small amounts of androgens ("male" hormones) in their bodies. Women with PCOS often produce higher amounts of androgens because they have more of the luteinizing hormone (normal levels of this hormone regulate the menstrual cycle and egg production) and insulin. . This problem can cause annoying symptoms, including increased facial and body hair. This is also called hirsutism.
   • More hair may grow on the face, stomach, toes, thumbs, chest, or back.
3. Watch out for hair loss and baldness. When the body produces more androgens, it can also cause hair loss, thinning hair or male pattern baldness. You can lose hair gradually. Note if you find more hair than usual in the shower drain.
4. Look out for oily skin, acne or dandruff. Hyperandrogenism (too many androgens) can cause oily skin, along with acne. You can also get dandruff, a condition of the scalp in which the skin flakes.
5. Ask your doctor if you have a polycystic ovary. A polycystic ovary is an ovary with more than 12 cysts on it, each measuring 2 to 9 mm in diameter. The cysts are located on the outside of the ovary, causing it to increase in size. In some cases, the cysts need to be surgically removed. To determine if you have cysts on your ovaries, your doctor may order an ultrasound.
   • An endocrinologist must review the results of the ultrasound. This doctor must specialize in reproductive and fertility problems, such as PCOS, endometriosis, IVF and uterine abnormalities. If the ultrasound is not evaluated by a specialist, an ovary with cysts is often classified as "normal", meaning that no tumors have been seen. That's because this doctor has not been trained to see specific abnormalities. Sometimes a doctor makes the wrong diagnosis, or suggests that the patient should exercise more to lose weight when they are overweight due to PCOS.

Part 2 of 3: Identifying symptoms associated with PCOS

1. Watch for hyperinsulinemia. Hyperinsulinemia is an insulin level that is too high. It is sometimes confused with diabetes or hypoglycemia, but those are other conditions. For women with PCOS, this means that the body tends to resist the effects of insulin. See your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:
   • Weight gain
   • Craving for sweets
   • Very often or have an intense feeling of hunger
   • Difficulty concentrating or staying motivated
   • Being anxious or having panic attacks
   • Being tired
   • When hyperinsulinemia is a symptom of PCOS, it is associated with increased androgen production. This can cause oily skin, acne, increased facial or body hair. You can also gain a lot around the belly.
   • If your doctor suspects that you have hyperinsulinemia, he / she will likely order you for a glucose tolerance test.
   • Treatment of hyperinsulinemia usually involves a diet and exercise plan, and sometimes the drug Metformin is prescribed, which can lower blood glucose. Whether your doctor prescribes Metformin or not, always ask if you can also be referred to a dietician. A good diet is a crucial part of the treatment.
   • Check insulin, glucose, hemoglobin A1c and c peptide levels. Although there is no definitive test to determine insulin resistance, these values ​​are often higher than normal in PCOS patients with insulin resistance.
2. Watch for infertility. If you are struggling to conceive and have an irregular cycle, you may have PCOS. In fact, PCOS is the most common cause of infertility. Irregular or delayed ovulations make it difficult or impossible to get pregnant.
   • Elevated hormone levels increase the risk of miscarriage in women with PCOS if they do get pregnant. If you are unable to conceive, see your doctor.
3. Take obesity seriously. Being overweight is always a health risk, but it can also be a sign of PCOS. Due to the elevated insulin levels, women with PCOS often store fat around the waist and take on a pear-shaped figure, and it is usually very difficult for them to lose weight.
   • About 38% of women with PCOS are obese. An obese adult has a BMI of 30 or higher.
4. Watch for skin changes. If you have PCOS, you can develop velvety, light brown, or black spots on the neck, underarms, thighs, and breasts (this is called acanthosis nigricans). You can also get benign growths. These are small appendages on the skin, often under the armpits or on the neck.
5. Watch for pain in the pelvic area and lower abdomen. Some women with PCOS have pain or discomfort in the pelvis, abdomen, or lower back. The pain can be dull or stabbing and can range from mild to severe. The pain can be similar to period pain.
6. Monitor sleep quality. Some women with PCOS have sleep apnea, a condition where you snore and occasionally stop breathing while you sleep. This can be due to elevated estrogen and testosterone levels, or obesity, both of which are associated with PCOS.
7. Be aware of psychological symptoms. Women with PCOS are often prone to anxiety and depression. These symptoms can have physical causes, such as hormone imbalance.It can also be a response to the other symptoms, especially infertility.
8. Check your family history. PCOS can be a hereditary condition. If your mother or sister has PCOS, you are also at risk of getting it. Check your family history to determine if you are at risk for PCOS.
   • Women with PCOS often have relatives with diabetes.
   • Women with PCOS were often unusually small or unusually large babies at birth.

Part 3 of 3: Long-term complications of PCOS

1. See your doctor. If you suspect you have PCOS, see your doctor or gynecologist for an examination. Your doctor can assess the situation, ask you about symptoms and your medical history. ,
   • Medical history: Your doctor will talk to you about your family history and your habits such as exercise, smoking, diet and stress. He / she may also ask if you are trying to get pregnant.
   • Physical and pelvic exam: Your doctor will weigh you and check your BMI. He / she can measure your blood pressure, examine your glands and perform an internal examination.
   • Blood test: You will have a number of blood tests. This looks at glucose, insulin, cholesterol and androgens, and perhaps some other values.
   • Vaginal ultrasound: You can have an ultrasound to determine if you have cysts on your ovaries.
2. Maintain a good weight. If you are overweight, you may have more symptoms of PCOS. A healthy lifestyle can help you avoid the worst consequences of PCOS.
   • Eat healthy food, avoid fast food, exercise enough, and don't smoke.
   • Familiarize yourself with the glycemic index. This is a number that corresponds to the degree to which food increases blood sugar levels when you eat it. You should eat more foods with a low glycemic index and avoid foods with a high glycemic index. here you will find a list of foods with their glycemic index.
3. Watch your blood pressure. High blood pressure is common in women with PCOS. Have your blood pressure checked regularly.
   • A healthy blood pressure for women is an upper pressure of 120 and a negative pressure of 80.
4. Watch out for blood vessel problems. Women with PCOS are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Make sure you get checked regularly, including for cardiovascular disease.
   • A healthy diet, exercise and weight loss can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.
5. Be on the lookout for signs of diabetes. Women with PCOS are more at risk of developing diabetes. Some of the common symptoms of diabetes are:
   • Need to urinate often
   • Being very hungry or thirsty
   • Extreme fatigue
   • Slow healing wounds or bruises
   • Cloudy vision
   • Tingling, numbness or pain in the hands and feet
6. Be aware of the risk of cancer. If you have PCOS, you are more at risk of developing uterine cancer, especially if you have irregular or missing periods that you have not reported to your doctor. If hormone levels are abnormal, a woman may be more likely to develop cancer. These hormones can be elevated estrogen or androgen levels, and too low a progesterone level. ,
   • This risk can be reduced by maintaining a regular cycle using the pill or by taking a synthetic form of progesterone to induce menstruation. This can also be done by inserting an IUD containing progestin, such as Mirena.

Tips

• If you have been diagnosed with PCOS, check this website for more information.
• Early diagnosis may prevent the worst symptoms of PCOS. If you notice any signs, get medical help right away. Tell your doctor all symptoms. Don't focus on one thing, such as infertility or obesity. Give your doctor a complete description of your health.
• Women with PCOS (or who suspect they have it) sometimes feel embarrassed, depressed, or worried when they have symptoms. Try not to let those feelings get in the way of treatment and live your life to the fullest. If you feel very depressed or anxious, talk to your doctor or psychologist.