What is PCOS (Polycystic ovarian disease)?
PCOS is a hormonal disorder in women. If a woman is suffering from PCOS she will have multiple small cysts in here. Cysts are produced in the ovaries due to changes in the menstrual cycle. The size of ovary becomes larger and excessive amounts of androgen and estrogenic hormones are produced. The production of excessive hormone along with the absence of ovulation may cause infertility.
Other Names of PCOS
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) or the Stein-Leventhal syndrome
How is PCOS diagnosed?
PCOS can be diagnosed very easily in some patients. These are the symptoms of PCOS
- Excessive hair growth on body
- Persistent acne
- Irregular periods
- Obesity
- Infertility
- Miscarriage
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
Not all of the patients will have all or any the symptoms. The exact diagnosis can be done after the vaginal ultrasound. If the size of the ovaries is enlarged or there are multiple cysts in the ovaries, this clears that these are polycystic ovaries.
PCOS is defined as the presence of any two of the following three criteria:
- Polycystic ovaries (either 12 or more follicles measuring 2-9 mm in diameter, or increased ovarian volume (> 10 cm3) on ultrasound.
- Reduced periods/failure to release eggs
- Excessive male hormone
The cause of PCOS?
The cause of PCOS is not really known but it is believed that it is usually hereditary and if another woman in the family as in mother or sister has PCOS, then you may also suffer from the disease. There are some factors which result in the development of PCOS. If the ability to use insulin is damaged i.e if cells develop insulin resistance then pancreas in the body has to produce more insulin. Excess insulin results in the production of androgens in the ovaries.
The pancreas is a gland located in the abdomen. This gland has two functions,
- Secretion of enzymes which help in the breakdown of food that can be easily absorbed.
- It also secretes insulin into bloodstream.
Insulin is a hormone responsible for the reduction of sugar level in the blood. It mainly converts sugar into fat. Women who have PCOS are resistant to insulin. So their pancreas has to generate to more insulin. This is the higher level of insulin that results in the symptoms of PCOS.
What is occult PCOS?
Occult PCOS means that they are thin, no excessive hair on the body, have regular periods but still have PCOS. This problem can be detected when their ovaries produce a large number of follicles i.e. they are superovulated.
Patients with such PCOS may face pregnancy loss/miscarriages.
How is PCOS treated?
Treatment
Losing weight may reduce the symptoms of PCOS.
Proper diet and exercise
High fibroid rich food and 40 mins of brisk walk everyday can help reduce the symptoms of PCOS
For infertile patients, treatment with certain hormone inducing drugs will help them conceive.
Natural Remedies for Ovarian cysts & PCOS
Ginger Juice
It has the potential to kill ovarian cysts cells. It helps in the regulation of blood sugar and helps in restoring the periods flow.
Turmeric juice
It helps in dissolving all unnatural growth like cysts. It balances hormones
Honey
It balances hormone levels, prevents obesity
Check out more Natural remedies for PCOS
How prevalent is polycystic ovary disease?
PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder. It can be diagnosed more clearly by transvaginal scanning rather than transabdominal scanning. Ultrasound is done by the transabdominal route before sexual activity has started.
About 20% of adult women have this problem. 6% of six year old girls & 18% of ten year old girls have this problem.
PCOS is more prevalent among those girls who are obese or those who have diabetes.
