Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder characterised by irregular menstruation.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS, a.k.a Stein-Leventhal Syndrome) is a common hormonal disorder where there is an imbalance of a woman's female sex hormones, resulting in an abnormal predominance of the male hormone androgen. It occurs in some 4–7 per cent of women of reproductive age.
The disorder is characterised by an irregularity in the menstrual cycle – the eggs in the follicles do not mature and are not released from the ovaries, but instead form very small cysts in the ovary. The ovaries are often enlarged, with numerous small cysts present on the outside.
Causes and complications of PCOS
The exact cause of PCOS is not known, although it is likely to be the result of both genetic and environmental factors associated with abnormalities in insulin production and an unusually elevated level of the male hormone androgen. However, women with this disorder may have difficulty becoming pregnant due to infrequent ovulation or non-ovulation.
It is important for PCOS to be diagnosed early. Failure to do so can lead to complications such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, depression and snoring in the long term. In addition, there is also a small increased risk of cancer of the uterus.
Signs and symptoms of PCOS
Symptoms of PCOS may surface early on, at the start of menstruation, or they may appear later on in the reproductive years. Symptoms include:
Treatment for PCOS
Risks associated with PCOS may be minimised with proper treatment targeted at each of the manifest symptoms.
Treatment includes:
Ref: T12
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