PCOS Syndrome

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, also known as PCOS Syndrome, is a disease in women named for its tendency to create cysts in the ovary. Its exact causes are unknown, but experts agree that the root of the problem traces back to some form of hormonal imbalance. PCOS begins during a girl's teenage years and can be either mild or severe.

Symptoms

• Acne, weight gain and thinning hair on the head are all indications of PCOS Syndrome. Often a woman will grow extra, thicker hair on the face and body, and have irregular periods. This can manifest itself in a number of ways: few or no periods, heavy bleeding, or excessive cramping. PCOS Syndrome can also cause infertility, and difficulty getting pregnant.

Causes

• The causes of PCOS Syndrome are unclear. It is most directly caused by fluctuations in hormone level, but researchers do not know exactly what. Many researchers speculate that there are multiple factors weighing into the cause. PCOS seems to run in families, so if a woman has a mother or a sister with the disease, she is more likely to come down with it as well. However, genetic links remain unproven.

Diagnosis

• No single test exists to determine PCOS Syndrome, unlike many other diseases. A physician will often run through a normal check-up routine, ask a lot of questions about the menses, and test for elevated hormone levels. He may also conduct an ultrasound to look for cysts in the ovary. Last of all, he will do some tests to eliminate other possible causes of the same symptoms.

Treatment

• Various medications can be used for the various symptoms of PCOS: birth control pills for the menstrual cycle, hormone-regulating medication for the hormone levels, fertility medication for the infertility... etc. Some women may need surgery to have the cysts in their ovaries removed. Most importantly, keeping a healthy lifestyle with plenty of exercise and good weight management seems to be a tremendous help when dealing with PCOS.

Additional Concerns

• PCOS Syndrome can put women at a higher risk for several other diseases. According to Womenshealth.gov, more than 50% of women with PCOS will come down with diabetes or pre-diabetes before they turn 40, and women with PCOS are also more likely to have a heart attack, high blood pressure, and/or high cholesterol. They also have a higher risk of coming down with endometrial cancer. However, if PCOS Syndrome is diagnosed early and kept under control, the dangers of these additional risks may be lessened.