Introduction
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is basically a disease that is medically proved to be a hormonal disorder that specifically affects the reproductive age of women. According to medical research, a large percentage of women suffering from this disorder have been noted to have prolonged and frequent menstrual periods that is at times accompanied by excess androgen (male hormone) levels (Akhter et al., 2018). As a result of that, it is possible for the ovaries to end up developing several small follicles (the collection of fluid) that in return makes them to fail to release eggs regularly. Although the exact cause of this disorder is not yet known, medical research suggests that it is important for women to ensure that they have received early diagnosis and treatment. On the other hand, the reason as to why this disorder have been realized to be affecting a large percent of women is because they fail to seek early diagnosis (Shanaki et al., 2018).
According to the modern research, Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is ultimately linked with the continued development of other associated clinical conditions, for instance, diabetes, especially type 2, insulin resistance, heart complications, abnormal cholesterol level and blood pressure, and high cholesterol level. Currently, it has been realized at least 50 percent of the women suffering from this disorder end up developing type 2 diabetes before attaining the age of forty years or above. About percent of the women ovulatory fertility issues reported are associated with PCOS. Furthermore, the majority of the women who can conceive with this disorder have been noted to have a higher risk of suffering from gestational diabetes, miscarriage, preeclampsia, pregnancy-induced blood pressure, and premature delivery (Lee et al., 2018).
Causes
According to the modern medical research, the exact cause of this disorder is not yet known. Regardless of that, there are various factors that have the potential of increasing the women chances of developing this disorder. These factors include;
- a) Excess insulin level – insulin is a pancreatic hormone that that facilitates the utilization of sugar by cells so as to generate energy. In case a person’s cells end up becoming resistant to the hormonal action of insulin, his or her blood sugar level will rise. This in return will increase the chances of producing more insulin. As a result of that, the presence of the excess insulin will increase the production of androgen hence causing ovulation difficulties in a woman.
- b) Low grade inflammation- clinically, this condition is associated with the production of a chemical that is aimed at fighting human infections by the white blood cells. Therefore, research suggests that the majority of the women suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have low grade inflammation. It is this condition which has been noted to increase the production of ovaries which results to blood vessels and heart problems (Akhter et al., 2018).
- c) Heredity – research indicates that family genes might be associated with the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in women.
- d) Excess androgen – the excessive production of androgen have been noted to increase the chances of increasing androgen production lading to acne and hirsutism (Shanaki et al., 2018).
Complications
The development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with various complications which include: premature birth or miscarriage, infertility, high blood pressure or gestational diabetes, and infertility. Other women have been found to develop nonalcoholic steatohapatitis which is a typically a severe inflammation of the liver that is caused by the excessive accumulation of fats in the liver.
Furthermore, other than sleep apnea and abnormal uterine bleeding, other women also develop metabolic syndrome. According to medical research, metabolic syndrome refers to a various conditions that include uncontrolled blood sugar, triglyceride or abnormal fat level, and irregular blood pressure, that increase the risks of cardiovascular diseases in women. This condition is also associated with things like eating and anxiety disorders, and endometrial cancer (Lee et al., 2018).
Tests and diagnosis
According to the modern clinical research, there is no approved test can be utilized for the purpose of determining the presence or the development of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Regardless of that, it is possible for physicians to diagnose the cause of this condition through a person’s medical history. This is one of the physical examinations which include pelvic examination and blood tests that aid in measuring cholesterol, hormone, and glucose levels. Moreover, ultrasound is also another possible means of examining the nature of woman’s ovaries and uterus (Takasaki et al., 2018).
Treatment
Due to the fact that the cure for PCOS has not yet been found, the approved treatment is aimed at managing the symptoms that affects the patient. The treatment to be administered by the physician will ultimately depend on the choices of the patient that is whether she desires to become pregnant so as to reduce the chances of developing secondary clinical complications, for instance diabetes and heart disease. Some of the recommended treatments include birth control pills to assist in regulating hormones and menstruation. Secondly, diabetes medication can also be used as a means of managing diabetes. Thirdly, fertility medication is also another method that can be used to reduce the chances of developing PCOS in case a women desires to conceive (Takasaki et al., 2018).
Fertility treatment can also be approved a means of decreasing the symptoms associated with PCOS. This takes into consideration inseminations or in-vitro fertilization (IVF). Moreover, excess growth of hair might be reduced through the use of drugs. Propecia can equally be administered but not for women who wishes to become pregnant (Gupta et al., 2018). Other approved possible means for controlling the growth of air include electrolysis, mineral and vitamin use, hormonal treatment, or laser hair removal. Surgical treatment include oophorectomy (the removal of one or both ovaries), cyst aspiration (the removal of fluid from the cyst), hysterectomy (the removal of parts of the ovary or the whole of it), and ovarian drilling to reduce androgen levels (Shah & Bobade, 2018).
Last, but not least, a number of home and personal lifestyle interventions have also been approved as another means of making huge differences as well as relieving some symptoms. These include eating healthy, including plenty vegetables and fruits and engaging in regular physical exercises. Moreover, managing or maintaining a healthy weight has been noted to have the potential of reducing the level of androgen as well as reducing the risk of developing diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Smoking is also prohibited because it has the likelihood of increasing the levels of androgen production and heart disease (Gupta et al., 2018).
Conclusion
Since the causes of this disorder are unclear, it implies that it is possible for affected women to continue experiencing the negative effects of it throughout their life. Despite that, it is recommended that early diagnosis it the ultimate means to assist in relieving the symptoms associated with it as well as to reduce complications.
References
AKHTER, A., MUSHTAQ, R., KARIM, A., KHAWAJA, S., & AKRAM, A. (2018). Relationship of Infertility with Weight and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (Pcos) in Specific Female Population of Karachi, Pakistan. FUUAST Journal of Biology, 8(2), 293–297. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=133746705&site=eds-live
Gupta, V., Sharma, S., Raina, S., & Bedi, G. (2018). Clinical, ultrasonographic, and biochemical correlates of polycystic ovarian syndrome: A case–control study from a Tertiary Care Center in North India. Journal of the Scientific Society, 45(1), 8–12. https://doi.org/10.4103/jss.JSS_41_17
Lee, H. J., Bahr, J. M., Bitterman, P., Basu, S., Sharma, S., Abramowicz, J. S., & Barua, A. (2018). Polycystic Ovarian Condition May Be a Risk Factor for Ovarian Tumor Development in the Laying Hen Model of Spontaneous Ovarian Cancer. Journal of Immunology Research, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/2590910
Shah, D., & Bobade, S. (2018). Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Autism. Journal of Psychosocial Research, 13(2), 435–442. https://doi.org/10.32381/JPR.2018.13.02.18
Shanaki, M., Moradi, N., Fadaei, R., Zandieh, Z., Shabani, P., & Vatannejad, A. (2018). Lower circulating levels of CTRP12 and CTRP13 in polycystic ovarian syndrome: Irrespective of obesity. PLoS ONE, 13(12), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0208059
Takasaki, A., Tamura, I., Okada, H. M., Orita, T., Tanabe, M., Maruyama, S., & Morioka, H. (2018). Usefulness of intermittent clomiphene citrate treatment for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome that is resistant to standard clomiphene citrate treatment. Reproductive Medicine & Biology, 17(4), 454–458. https://doi.org/10.1002/rmb2.12219
