Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Symptoms, Causes And Effects On The Body
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which a woman produces more androgens (male hormones) than normal. This causes cysts (fluid-filled sacs) to grow on the ovaries.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women who have PCOS have high levels of male hormones. Disturbance in hormone production causes the ovaries to develop small fluid-filled cavities and may cause the ovaries to not release eggs regularly.
Women who suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome also normally have altered, low-frequency, irregular or prolonged menstrual periods. The origin of this condition is unknown. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to help prevent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases that can result in the long term as a consequence of this common condition.
In this article we will explore polycystic ovary syndrome seeing what it is and how it interferes with ovulation, as well as its causes and main symptoms, in addition to explaining how excess hormones affect health.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder that affects hormones and Its main consequence is the formation of cysts in the ovaries, hence the name of this common condition The formation of cysts in the ovaries may be the cause of the irregular menstrual periods that the majority of patients diagnosed with this syndrome have. Polycystic means that there are many small sacs called cysts.
This pathological condition is not a new disease. Doctors first observed the symptoms of PCOS in 1721, when an Italian doctor named Antonio Vallisneri noticed that women who had higher levels of male hormones also had lower levels of progesterone and higher levels of androgens than normal. .
Polycystic ovary syndrome has a high prevalence rate, although it is underdiagnosed Between 2.2 and 26.7% of women of reproductive age (between 15 and 44 years) suffer from this hormonal problem. Additionally, PCOS affects many people who don’t know they have it; According to a study, 7 out of 10 people affected with polycystic ovary syndrome have not been diagnosed.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a combination of symptoms that affect the ovaries and ovulation There are three main characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome:
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Polycystic ovary syndrome and ovulation
Polycystic ovary syndrome primarily affects a woman’s reproductive organs, the ovaries The ovaries mainly produce estrogen, progesterone (female hormones) which are responsible for regulating menstruation. Additionally, although in smaller quantities, the ovaries also produce androgens, which are typically male hormones.
The ovaries release eggs, which are fertilized by male sperm. If everything works normally, each month, an egg is released. Ovulation is controlled by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which are produced in the pituitary gland. LH causes an egg to be released, after FSH has produced a follicle (sac containing an egg) in the ovary.
Polycystic ovary syndrome causes many small fluid-filled sacs to grow inside the ovaries (actually follicles containing undeveloped eggs). This occurs along with elevated levels of male hormones, and irregular or no menstrual cycles. The eggs never develop enough to trigger ovulation, and because of this, ovulation is not triggered. This affects the levels of LH, FSH, progesterone and estrogen.
Menstrual cycles are disrupted by elevated male hormones, and women who have PCOS experience fewer menstrual cycles than normal.
Causes of polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which a woman’s ovaries produce hormones and eggs poorly due to elevated levels of male hormones. The exact causes of PCOS are unknown, but the origin of the syndrome has been linked to inflammation, insulin resistance, and genes related to androgen production.
1. Genetics
Some genes may be related to polycystic ovary syndrome , according to scientific research. PCOS could be passed from mothers to daughters. There are probably several genes involved in the development of PCOS, not just one.
2. Insulin resistance
The ability of cells to use the main energy supply (sugars) is governed by insulin ; This hormone allows glucose to enter cells, so that it can be metabolized. Insulin is manufactured in the pancreas, specifically it is produced by beta cells in the islets of Langerhans.
If cells become resistant to the effects of insulin, the body can produce more, potentially increasing the production of male hormones and making it difficult for a woman to ovulate and become pregnant.
Up to 70% of women with PCOS produce excess insulin because your cells cannot use it properly. This above-normal increase in insulin production causes the ovaries to produce more male hormones. Additionally, the risk of diabetes increases when there is insulin resistance.
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3. Excess production of androgens
Although the exact origin is not known. Polycystic ovary syndrome is directly related to androgen production. Polycystic ovaries produce abnormally high levels of male hormones. This causes a series of side effects such as excessive hair growth and acne
4. Low grade inflammation
Higher levels of androgens have been linked to increased inflammation in the body. Inflammation refers to the production of white blood cells that occurs in the body to deal with internal or external aggressions.
Women with PCOS often have high levels of inflammation in their bodies some studies have highlighted the relationship between PCOS and the low-grade inflammation that occurs in women diagnosed with this condition that produces an excess of male hormones.
Polycystic ovaries due to low-grade inflammation produce androgens. This can cause problems in the cardiovascular system in the long run.
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Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome can develop at different stages of life, sometimes it can appear after weight gain, although it usually manifests for the first time during puberty. The first signs and symptoms appear during puberty around the first menstruation.
Polycystic ovary syndrome presents a series of typical symptoms.
1. Irregular menstrual cycles
The most common sign of PCOS is having irregular menstrual cycles, too long or infrequent There are fewer than nine annual periods, or they occur in spaces greater than 35 days. This alteration of the menstrual period also makes bleeding more abundant when menstruation occurs.
Besides, higher levels of androgens occur in the body ; The increase in the production of male hormones is usually accompanied by changes in the appearance of the body. Examples include increased hair growth (especially on the face and body), and sometimes severe acne, and even hormonal disruption can cause male pattern baldness.
3. Polycystic ovaries
The ovaries can enlarge and contain several follicles around the eggs This can cause them to stop working regularly.
How does PCOS affect the body?
High levels of male hormones, which occur in polycystic ovary syndrome, can affect fertility, in addition to having other effects on the body and health.
1. Infertility
Without ovulation there is no pregnancy The lack of regularity in ovulation causes fewer eggs to be produced, and, therefore, fewer chances of fertilization. Polycystic ovary syndrome is considered the main cause of infertility in pregnant people.
2. Metabolic syndrome
8 out of 10 women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome are overweight. Polycystic ovary syndrome accompanied by being overweight increases the risk of suffering from different pathological conditions such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure, a low level of “good” HDL cholesterol and an increase in “bad” LDL cholesterol. Together, these factors are called metabolic syndrome and increase the risk of heart problems and diabetes
3. Sleep apnea
PCOS increases women’s risk of experiencing sleep apnea. This condition causes the person to stop breathing several times a night , which decreases the quality of sleep. Women who have PCOS have a higher risk of developing sleep apnea than women who do not have PCOS.
4. Endometrial cancer
One of the most serious consequences of polycystic ovary syndrome is endometrial cancer. During ovulation, the lining of the uterus descends. If you don’t ovulate every month, the lining of the uterus can build up. If the lining is too thick, it may increase the chance of getting endometrial cancer
5. Depression
Hormonal alterations are one of the best known causes of depression. Changes in hormones, as well as their associated symptoms such as unwanted hair growth, can affect emotions in a negative way People who have PCOS may often be depressed or anxious.
