Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder in reproductive age women. It is a condition in which the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens, male sex hormones that are usually present in women in small amounts. The name polycystic ovary syndrome describes the numerous small cysts (fluid-filled sacs) that form in the ovaries. PCOS affects 2 to 10% of women of reproductive age worldwide.(Ricardo et al , 2016) Some current studies show up to 26% of reproductive age .
The exact cause was unknown. PCOS may run in family such as mother and sisters.
The signs and symptoms
1. Irregular periods or missed periods
Infrequent or irregular or prolonged menstrual cycles are the most common symptoms. The patients might have fewer than nine periods in a year or the intervals become more than 35 days.
2. Weight gain and obesity
3. Acne, Hair loss, male pattern baldness, body hair growth, skin tags
4. Infertility or subfertility
Complications
1. Infertility
2. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)
3. Pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH)
4. Miscarriage or premature births
5. Metabolic symdrome- a cluster of Hypertension, Type 2 DM, Cardiovascular diseases.
6. Sleep apnoea
7. Anxiety, Depression, eating disorders
8. Abnormal Uterine bleeding , Endometrial cancer
Obesity is associated with PCOS and worsen the signs and symptoms. But PCOS can be found in non-obese women (Lean PCOS)
References – Nature reviews Disease primers 2 (1), 1-18, 2016, RCOG guidelines for PCOS
Photos credit Motherland Fertility Center and www.mymed.com
