The treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome should begin as early as possible, as the disease is fraught with serious complications, including cancer of the character. The prognosis of the polycystic ovary favourable. Timely and proper treatment of the disease allows to restore the function of the ovaries and give birth to a healthy baby.
What is polycystic ovaries?
The ovaries are paired organ of the female reproductive system that is located on both sides of the uterus. The main functions of the ovaries, the female sex hormones and maturation of follicles. The woman during one menstrual cycle is the maturation of several follicles, but, as a rule, the uterus goes only one fertile egg.
In the first half of the last century, researchers Stein and Leventhal described a condition which is accompanied by absence of menstruation and the presence of cysts in the ovaries. Later the disease was called polycystic ovaries. In the medical literature and the name polycystic ovary syndrome.
When polycystic both ovaries are significantly enlarged. Bodies can be increased 2-5 times. The ovaries are covered by a thin capsule of white color, and the signs of ovulation are absent. Biopsy-not found luteum, which must develop in response to the release of oocytes from the follicles.
According to medical reports, polycystic ovaries occurs in 3-5% of women of reproductive age. At the same time, exact data on the prevalence of morbidity is quite difficult due to different diagnostic criteria. Doctors say that polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the leading causes of female infertility.
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Today statistics is that PCOS is found in about every 57 women; eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia and eating disorder common among women with PCOS; women with PCOS have higher levels of anxiety and depression than women without the syndrome; polycystic ovarian syndrome the most common cause of ovulatory dysfunction and infertility. Let’s talk about how to identify PCOS, which preventive measures available to every woman that moms need to know about this issue to mothers of girls, and more.
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The main causes of polycystic ovaries
The exact causes of polycystic ovaries is not yet established. However, doctors have identified the following possible causes and factors development of this disease.
- Pathology of the pituitary gland. The pituitary gland produces key hormones that regulate follicular growth and ovulation. It’s follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing (LH) hormones. When polycystic ovaries showed elevated levels of LH leading to increased androgen production in the ovaries. The effect of LH also increases growth hormone and therefore increased its concentration contribute to the development of polycystic ovaries.
- Insulin resistance. Many women with polycystic ovaries and excessive body mass is a resistance to the hormone insulin. When the body’s cells insensitive to insulin, its concentration in the blood increases, which in turn stimulates the production of additional quantities of luteinizing hormone and androgens. Elevated concentrations of insulin and androgens stimulate the growth of follicles, but none of them develops into a Mature egg. Thus, it’s their premature aging and increases the probability of formation of cysts in the ovaries.
- The excess of male hormones. Excessive concentration of male sex hormones in the blood can be a triggering mechanism in the development of polycystic ovaries. In adipose tissue androgens are converted into the female sex hormone estrogen, which in turn stimulate the production of luteinizing hormone and inhibit the production of follicle-stimulating hormone.
- Increased enzymatic activity in the ovaries. Some patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome there is increased activity of some enzymes and decreased activity of others. This imbalance in enzyme activity leads to the increased production of male sex hormones that can lead to the formation of cysts in the ovaries.
- Genetic predisposition. There was evidence of hereditary character of disease. Certainly, the polycystic ovarian syndrome is not hereditary, but women who are in the family of direct relatives suffered from this disease are increased risk.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a real problem of modern women. It occurs imperceptibly, develops rapidly and threatens to infertility and the marked deterioration in the quality of life. The power of us women, to reduce the risk of this disease? Yes!
When polycystic amid excessive amount of male hormones the patient noted and other problems associated with increased activity of androgens. This, for example, excessive hair growth in male pattern. The woman can appear acne and losing hair on my head.
The main symptoms of polycystic ovaries
When polycystic ovaries in women are the following symptoms:
- The increase in size of the ovaries. Due to the formation of a large number of cysts the size of the ovaries may increase 2-6 times compared with the normal size.
- Violation of the menstrual cycle. When polycystic ovarian disorders of the menstrual cycle. It is noteworthy that the menstruation may be scarce and rare, can be abundant (with serious bleeding), or may be absent altogether. Violation of menstruation due to the influence of the hormone estrogen on the endometrium. Typically, the menstrual cycle is the first symptom that draws attention to the woman and what motivates her to see a gynecologist.
- Infertility. Polycystic ovarian syndrome is considered to be one of the most common causes of female infertility. In this case, infertility is caused or crane rare ovulations or their complete absence.
- The increase in body weight. About half of women with polycystic ovaries, there is an increase in body weight and obesity. Mainly, the increase in body weight due to the development of insulin resistance. The body’s cells become immune to insulin, causing glucose is poorly utilized. There is a rapid accumulation of adipose tissue, and this condition is called prediabetes.
- The symptoms are due to the increased content of male sex hormones in the blood. Due to the high content of androgens in the blood of women there are some characteristics of male body. In particular, it develops hypertrichosis, acne, baldness, seborrhea and other signs. In axillary regions, the groin area and skin folds and under the Breasts there is increased pigmentation of the skin. The appearance of these pigmentation due to insulin resistance and increased content of cholesterol in the blood.
If polycystic ovaries occurs in childhood, the first menstruation can occur normally in 12-13 years. However, it is not set right the menstrual cycle. The girl observed oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, indicating anovulation. In puberty due to the high content male sex hormones in girls is marked hypertrichosis. If you have obesity, it usually is classic in nature with uniform distribution of fat throughout the body. It is noteworthy that the presence of all these symptoms with polycystic ovaries is not necessary. Also with age, the symptoms may vary. In particular, it is possible to reduce the number of acne. At the same time, with age increases the likelihood of obesity.
Associated symptoms:
Excessive body hair growth (hirsutism)Obesity Weight gain Polycystic ovaries Ovarian cystInfertility
Diagnosis of polycystic ovaries
To suspect the presence of polycystic ovaries can be based on chronic anovulation and infertility. Usually diagnosis of polycystic ovaries is not difficult, however, the physician must make the diagnosis and to exclude the possibility of other pathologies that produce similar symptoms. In particular, increased levels of male sex hormones in women possible for hyperprolactinemia, tumors of the ovary, adrenal cortex, secreting androgens and hyperplasia of the adrenal glands.
As with any other diseases, diagnosis of PCOS begins with a consultation with a gynecologist. At the reception, the doctor examines, carefully examines the history and interrogates the patient. When bimanual study of small pelvis are observed enlarged ovaries.
It is mandatory ultrasound diagnosis. While ultrasound shows the presence of cysts in almost every fifth woman. However, this does not necessarily indicate the presence of the disease, because women can be normal, ripe eggs not be infertility. At the same time, in some cases, when the normal size of the ovaries may be polycystic, but this is quite rare. Given the above, the diagnosis is based on clinical and ultrasound diagnostic features.
Definitely for suspected polycystic ovaries blood test for LH, FSH, estrogens, male sex hormones and progesterone. In some cases, polycystic ovaries levels of the mentioned hormones remain normal, and the male hormones are increased only slightly, which slightly reduces the diagnostic value of laboratory tests. To confirm the diagnosis biopsy.
How to treat polycystic ovaries
Treatment of polycystic ovaries is performed at the gynecologist and endocrinologist. Need to eliminate all symptoms and restoration of normal ovarian function.
It is noteworthy that treatment of polycystic ovaries begins with correction of weight and the appointment of a special diets for the patient. In particular, we recommend limiting the consumption of starchy foods and animal fats. It is obligatory to abandon the use of smoked, spicy and salty foods. To lose weight woman recommend sports. Long walks, swimming, dancing and other types of aerobic exercise in combination with diet produce excellent results, and during a few months can normalize your weight. Often after the normalization of weight restores normal menstrual cycle and ovulation is restored. After achievement of weight a woman should continue to closely monitor their health. Healthy food and regular exercise must become a way of life.
If the patient is planning pregnancy, medication of polycystic ovaries begins with the use of combined oral contraceptives that contain a combination of synthetic estrogens and progesterones. These drugs will help reduce the secretion of androgen in the ovaries and eliminate the chronic negative impact of estrogen on the endometrium, which in turn also is a preventive measure against uterine cancer. Thanks to such medical treatment for the patient normalizes menstrual cycle and stops uterine bleeding. After the abolition of these medications in women the possibility of ovulation and pregnancy.
Associated diseases:
Ovarian cyst A follicular cyst of the ovaryCyst
For removal of cosmetic defects, such as hirsutism or hypertrichosis, the patient is assigned a synthetic antiandrogen.
Generally, using conservative therapy can achieve good results in the treatment of polycystic ovaries. However, if conservative treatment does not bring the desired results, then resort to surgical intervention. Currently, many different surgical methods for the treatment of polycystic ovaries, however, is most often used modern laparoscopic technology, which provide access to the operated area is not through a large incision and through a puncture.
The advantages of laparoscopic surgery over open surgery are obvious. Laparoscopic surgery is less traumatic, they do not lead to profuse bleeding, and after surgery, the woman recovered in a few days. In addition, when laparoscopic surgery is the ability to simultaneously resolve adhesions in the pelvis.
Remember, the treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome should begin as early as possible, as the disease can lead to the development of a number of complications. Among the latter, diabetes, premature birth, fibrocystic breast disease, hyperplasia and endometrial cancer and an increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, and hypertensive disease.
SEE ALSO:
- Ovarian cyst
- A follicular cyst of the ovary