Anusha Women & fertility center

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

In vitro fertilisation is also known as IVF. It is one of several techniques to help people with fertility problems, conceive a baby.

IVF process involves, carefully extracting an egg from the woman’s ovaries and fertilising it with a man’s sperm, in a laboratory setting.

After the successfull fertilization, asn egg is formed. This is called an embryo. This embryo is is then planted back into the woman’s womb to grow and develop into a baby.

This IVF process can be done with your eggs and your partner’s sperm; or eggs and sperm from other donors; based on the health of you and your partners’ eggs and sperms.

What is PCOS polycystic ovary syndrome?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age. It may occur in up to 10% of all women, and often escapes diagnosis, as symptoms may be subtle.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a set of symptoms caused by a problem with a woman’s hormones. It affects the ovaries—the small organs that store a woman’s eggs. But PCOS can also affect the rest of the body. PCOS is a very common condition in women of childbearing age. In some cases, it can lead to serious health issues if not treated.

If a female is reporting irregular menstrual cycles, there is a 66% chances that PCOS is the underlying disorder.

PCOS can range from mild cases, mostly unrecognized, to severe cases where all aspects of PCOS manifest, which includes irregular cycles and hormonal and metabolic imbalances.

Most women with PCOS also have metabolic problems, including being overweight. This metabolic problem is associated with higher levels of insulin, a hormone which controls blood sugar. As women with PCOS age, some are more susceptible to developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease.

What causes PCOS?

Ovulation happens when a mature egg is released from an ovary. This happens so it can be fertilized by a male sperm. If the egg is not fertilized, it is sent out of the body during your period.

In some cases, a woman doesn’t make enough of the hormones needed to ovulate. When ovulation doesn’t happen, the ovaries can develop many small fluid-filled sacs (cysts). These cysts make hormones called androgens. Androgens are a type of male hormone, but women normally have them in smaller amounts. Women with PCOS often have high levels of androgens. This can cause more problems with a woman’s menstrual cycle. And it can cause many of the symptoms of PCOS.

Why PCOS is caused is not certain. But it is believed that both genetic and environmental factors are involved. Certain conditions, particularly excessive weight gain, make the disorder more severe, and can turn a subtle case into one which is more obvious and symptomatic.

What are the risk factors for PCOS?

Family history of menstrual disorders
diabetes
Overweight or gaining weight rapidly.

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

Symptoms include

Missed periods, irregular periods, or very light periods

Skin problems such as acne.
Increased body weight or the inability to lose weight.
Increased body hair.
Infertility
Small pieces of extra skin on the neck or armpits (skin tags)

Dark or thick skin patches on the back of the neck, in the armpits, and under the breasts

- Male Pattern of Balding

How is PCOS diagnosed?

The condition is usually diagnosed according to symptoms. Women need to have two of the following three findings:

Irregular menstrual cycles
An imbalance of androgen hormones such as testosterone, and/or skin problems such as acne or increased body or facial hair (hirsutism)
Ovaries which have a characteristic “polycystic” appearance (enlargement with many tiny cysts or follicles arranged around the perimeter of the ovary) on ultrasound.

How is PCOS treated?

Because of the wide spectrum of PCOS symptoms and severity, treatment to each patient must be tailored to their symptoms and severity.

Healthy lifestyle, including nutritious diet and regular exercise is the first step towards treating PCOS.

If you do plan to become pregnant, your treatment may include:

Healthy diet and exercise. Exercise and healthy diet may help you lose weight. They can also help your body use insulin more efficiently, lower blood glucose levels, and may help you ovulate.

Medicines to cause ovulation. Medicines can help the ovaries to release eggs normally. These medicines also have certain risks.

If you don’t plan to become pregnant, your treatment may include:

Birth control pills. These help to control menstrual cycles, lower androgen levels, and reduce acne.

Diabetes medicine. This is often used to lower insulin resistance in PCOS. It may also help reduce androgen levels, slow hair growth, and help you ovulate more regularly.

A change in diet and activity. A healthy diet and more physical activity can help you lose weight and reduce your symptoms. They can also help your body use insulin more efficiently, lower blood glucose levels, and may help you ovulate.

Medicines to treat other symptoms. Some medicines can help reduce hair growth or acne.