PCOS
Profile
What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?
Polycystic
Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one
the most common hormonal disturbances
affecting women. An estimated 5 to 10% of
women of childbearing age have PCOS and at
least 30% of women have some symptoms of
PCOS. This condition is often linked
with hormonal imbalances and insulin
resistance.
‘Polycystic’
literally means ‘many cysts’, and
these ovaries have a
string of cysts around their outside, which
cause the ovaries to become enlarged.
These are
different to ovarian cysts, which are
usually single and grow bigger and
interfere with the function of the ovary.
In PCOS the string of small cysts, which
would be better called multiple follicles,
seen on the ovary are thought to be follicles that have
failed to develop completely to release an
egg.
Not
every woman with PCOS suffers with all the
related symptoms, either having any
combination of symptoms to any degree of
severity or have no obvious symptoms at
all except the cysts. This is then
known as polycystic ovaries (PCO), however
patients with PCO are considered to be at
risk of PCOS and should monitor their
health especially as stress or weight gain
may result in the development of symptoms.
Even
60 years after its discovery causes of
PCOS are still being discovered though the
treatments options are now well developed.
Causes known so far to play a contributory
role include genetic predisposition,
stress, pollution and poor dietary habits.
Signs
and Symptoms of PCOS:
