What is Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) ?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman’s hormone levels. Women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes their body to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant. PCOS also causes hair growth on the face and body, and baldness. And it can contribute to long-term health problems like diabetes and heart disease.

PCOS is a “syndrome,” or group of symptoms that affects the ovaries and ovulation. Its three main features are :-

• Cyst in the ovaries
• High levels of male hormones
• Irregular or skipped periods

In PCOS, many small, fluid-filled sacs grow inside the ovaries. The word “polycystic” means “many cysts”. These sacs are actually follicles, each one containing an immature egg. The eggs never mature enough to trigger ovulation. The lack of ovulation alters levels of estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH. Progesterone levels are lower than usual, while androgen levels are higher than usual. Extra male hormones disrupt the menstrual cycle, so women with PCOS get fewer periods than usual.

Up to 70 percent of women with PCOS have insulin resistance, meaning that their cells can’t use insulin properly

Most common cause for Infertility and Endometrial Cancer. SYMPTOMS

The most common PCOS symptoms are :-

• Irregular Periods: A lack of ovulation prevents the uterine lining from shedding every month. Some women with PCOS get fewer than eight periods a year or none at all.
• Heavy Bleeding: The uterine lining builds up for a longer period of time, so the periods you do get can be heavier than normal.
• Hair Growth: More than 70 percent of women with this condition grow hair on their face and body — including on their back, belly, and chest. Excess hair growth is called hirsutism.
• Acne: Male hormones can make the skin oilier than usual and cause breakouts on areas like the face, chest, and upper back.
• Weight Gain: Up to 80 percent of women with PCOS are overweight or have obesity.
• Male Pattern Baldness: Hair on the scalp gets thinner and may fall out.
• Darkening of the Skin: Dark patches of skin can form in body creases like those on the neck, in the groin, and under the breasts.
• Headaches: Hormone changes can trigger headaches in some women.