PCOS Syndrome
Body changes are considered normal so long as they make the body organs more efficient in doing their functions. However, when these changes are accompanied by pain and other abnormalities which do more harm than good, most probably they are symptoms of a certain disease. If you observe that you have irregular or no menstrual periods for several months now, your hair excessively grows, or your cholesterol rises although you take a balanced diet, you might experience an abnormality which is highly related to how your ovary functions.
If you indeed experience the foregoing symptoms, most probably you have PCOS syndrome. PCOS syndrome (Polycystic ovarian syndrome) is a hormonal complication experienced by women which is accompanied by various symptoms aside from those mentioned. The other symptoms include acne, obesity, infertility, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.
There is not a scientific medical explanation as to what causes PCOS syndrome. Based on some observations, women with PCOS syndrome often have a close relative such as a mother or sister who has the same problem. However, it is not scientifically proven that PCOS syndrome can be inherited. Another suspected cause is the presence of small cysts in the ovary, however, there are women who have cysts yet do not suffer from PCOS syndrome. An abnormality in the production of insulin is observed to be most common in women with PCOS syndrome, but this is only a result of excessive production of androgen hormone to the body.
The diagnosis of PCOS syndrome is usually made by the physician by determining the signs and symptoms mentioned above. Since the symptoms are signs of other diseases, physicians usually advise patients to undergo physical examination that makes use of ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Ultrasound imaging is most commonly used since it does not employ radiation, hence safe for women whether they are pregnant or not. MRI and CT scan are highly expensive but are more efficient procedures. However, CT scan can be harmful since it employs x-rays and injected dyes.
PCOS syndrome is highly treatable. The treatments vary according to the age of women. Birth control pills are usually prescribed for women who want birth control, while women who do not desire birth control are commonly given treatments which make them experience menstrual flow four times in a year. For women suffering from infertility, a substance called clomiphene is prescribed in order to trigger ovulation. When these treatments do not yield positive effects, ovarian drilling will likely be advised to fight off the symptoms of PCOS syndrome.
