Polycystic ovary syndrome or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that occurs in women of childbearing age. PCOS sufferers experience menstrual disorders and own excessive levels of masculine hormones (androgens).
Excessive androgen hormones in PCOS sufferers can cause the ovaries or ovaries to produce many fluid-filled sacs. As a result, the egg is not fully developed and fails to be released regularly.
The consequences of polycystic ovarian syndrome can also cause sufferers to be infertile (infertile), and more prone to diabetes and high blood pressure.
Symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome can occur when a woman has her first period during puberty. Although PCOS symptoms often appear as teenagers, there are also PCOS sufferers who only experience symptoms as adults or during certain periods, for example when they experience significant weight gain. Following are the symptoms of PCOS:
- Menstrual disordersPCOS is often characterized by irregular or prolonged menstrual periods. For example, people with PCOS will only experience menstruation less than 8-9 times a year. The interval between periods can be less than 21 days or more than 35 days, or menstrual blood is heavy.
- Symptoms due to increased levels of androgen hormonesIncreased levels of androgen hormones in women with PCOS can cause physical symptoms like men, such as the growth of thick hair on the face and body (hirsutism), as well as the appearance of severe acne and baldness.
- Suffering from multiple ovarian cystsIn PCOS sufferers, cyst pockets can be found around the egg (ovary).
- Dark skin colorSome parts of the body of people with PCOS can become dark, especially in the folds, namely the folds of the neck, groin, and under the breasts.
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you have PCOS symptoms, such as irregular periods. Untreated polycystic ovarian syndrome can make it difficult for the sufferer to get pregnant or be infertile because the egg cannot be released (no ovulation).
People with PCOS who are pregnant are also at risk for premature delivery, miscarriage, high blood pressure, and gestational diabetes. Therefore, do regular check-ups with the obstetrician during pregnancy so that the health condition of the mother and fetus is monitored.
Causes of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Until now, it is not known exactly what causes PCOS. However, there are several factors suspected as the cause of PCOS, namely:
- Excess insulin hormoneThe hormone insulin is a hormone that lowers blood sugar levels. Excess insulin will make the body increase the production of androgen hormones and reduce the body's sensitivity to insulin.
- genetic factorsThis is because some PCOS sufferers also have family members who suffer from PCOS.
DiagnosisPolycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
There is no test that can be done to directly diagnose PCOS. Therefore, the doctor will usually ask whether there are symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome in patients. In addition, the doctor will also perform a physical examination to find signs of this disease.
A physical exam is done to look for excess hair growth or the presence of severe acne. This physical examination also includes an internal examination to examine the female reproductive organs.
After a physical examination is carried out, the doctor will carry out supporting examinations which include:
- Blood tests, to check androgen hormone levels, blood sugar tolerance tests, and cholesterol levels are often elevated in people with PCOS.
- Pelvic ultrasound, to check the thickness of the patient's uterine lining with the help of sound waves.
If the patient is confirmed to have PCOS, the doctor will perform a number of other tests to detect complications that may occur due to PCOS.
Treatment Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Treatment for each person with PCOS is different, depending on the symptoms they experience, such as infertility, hirsutism, or severe acne. In general, PCOS can be handled in the following ways:
Lifestyle changes
Your doctor will recommend exercise and a low-calorie diet for weight loss. This is because the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome will subside as the patient loses weight. Exercise is also useful for increasing the effectiveness of drugs and helping increase fertility in PCOS sufferers.
Drugs
Doctors can give you a combination of birth control pills with other drugs to control the menstrual cycle. The hormones estrogen and progesterone in birth control pills can suppress the production of androgen hormones in the body.
Doctors may also recommend taking progesterone alone for 10-14 days for 1-2 months. The use of this hormone can regulate the menstrual cycle is disturbed.
Other drugs that can be used to normalize the menstrual cycle and help with ovulation are:
- Clomiphene
- Letrozole
- metformin
In addition to birth control pills, to reduce the symptoms of hirsutism due to excess androgen hormones, doctors can give spironolactone drugs. Spironolactone can counteract the effects of androgens on the skin, namely the growth of thick hair and severe acne.
Special medical procedures
In addition to some of the above treatment methods, doctors can recommend patients to do electrolysis to remove body hair. With low current, electrolysis will destroy the hair follicles within a few times of therapy.
Complications Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Untreated PCOS can put the sufferer at risk for the following complications:
- Sleep disturbance
- Eating disorders
- Anxiety disorders and depression
- infertility
- Miscarriage or premature birth
- Hypertension during pregnancy
- Diabetes and gestational diabetes
- Hepatitis
- Metabolic syndrome
- Endometrial cancer
Prevention Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS is difficult to prevent, but by maintaining an ideal body weight, symptoms and the risk of complications can be reduced. Here are ways you can do to maintain an ideal body weight:
- Limit consumption of sweet foods
- Increase fiber consumption
- Exercise regularly