1) What Is PCOS, anyway?
In each menstrual cycle, follicles grow on the
ovaries. Eggs develop within those follicles, one of which will reach maturity faster than the others and be released into the fallopian tubes. This is "ovulation". The remaining follicles will degenerate.
But in the case of polycystic ovaries, the ovaries
are larger than normal, and there are a series of
undeveloped follicles that appear in clumps or
cysts, somewhat like a bunch of grapes.
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac usually found on the surface of an ovary. There are many types of ovarian cysts, each with a different underlying cause. Many women will have them at some point during their childbearing years.
Most ovarian cysts are completely without
symptoms. However, some types can cause
serious health problems.
"Polycystic ovaries" means many cysts on your
ovaries. They are not especially troublesome and
may not even affect your fertility.
Please note. You can have polycystic ovaries
without having PCOS. On the other hand, nearly all women with PCOS will have polycystic ovaries.
"Polycystic Ovary Syndrome" (PCOS) is the name
given to a very complex endocrine (glandular) and
metabolic condition in which a woman will have
polycystic ovaries, along with a pattern of other
symptoms that reflect imbalances in reproductive
and other hormones.
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2) Symptoms of PCOS.
Symptoms will vary but commonly include some
combination of the following:
* Multiple ovarian cysts (polycystic ovaries that are
2-5 times larger than healthy ovaries).
* Irregular or absent menstrual cycle.
* Infertility.
* Obesity or the inability to lose wei.ght.
* Acne.
* Excessive body or facial ha.ir (hirsutism).
* Insulin resistance. * Thinning of scalp ha.ir.
* Velvety, hyperpigmented skin folds (acanthosis
nigricans).
* High blood pressure.
* High cholesterol or triglycerides.
* High blood glucose.
* Chronic inflammation, including autoimmune
tendencies such as autoimmune thyroiditis.
* Appetite disorders.
* Multiple hormone imbalances, commonly
including: testosterone, cortisol, estrogen, FSH
(follicle stimulating hormone), insulin, leptin,
adiponectin, LH (luteinizing hormone),
progesterone, prolactin, thyroid hormones and
others.
* Depression.
* Lack of energy.
As this list suggests, PCOS is not simply a
disorder of your ovaries alone. It is more
widespread than that. PCOS is a multi-organ
systemic disorder that affects dozens of hormones
and other signaling molecules throughout your
body.
This baffling array of symptoms is one reason why
doctors have difficulty diagnosing PCOS, why
doctors do not agree on what PCOS actually is,
and why it is so hard to treat.
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3) PCOS Should Not Be Left Untreated
Besides all of the possible symptoms we listed
above, untreated PCOS has some very undesirable
long-term health consequences such as increased
risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease and
possibly cancer.
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4) No Magic Pill for PCOS
As you probably know by now, it's very hard to
manage all the symptoms of PCOS with
conventional treatment.
Unfortunately, there are no drugs that cure PCOS.
Even surgery on your ovaries does not cure the
symptoms of PCOS in all cases.
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5) You'll Have to Help Yourself
You can't depend on your doctor alone to make
your PCOS go away. It is not your doctor's
responsibility to make you well. It's *your*
responsibility. Your doctor can help, but whether or not you get PCOS under a degree of control is really up to you and no one else.
