What Is PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome),Symptoms and Causes

TheIndonesia.id - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects the works of the ovaries.

Most people associate PCOS with the condition of women who have difficulty having a baby. If you have PCOS, you may not have periods very often. Or you may have periods that last many days. You may also have too much of a hormone called androgen in your body.

The exact cause of PCOS has not been known. With PCOS, many small sacs of fluid develop along the outer edge of the ovary, called cysts. The small fluid-filled cysts contain immature eggs. These are called follicles. The follicles fail to regularly release eggs.

The symptoms of PCOS is the irregular periods, excessive androgen levels, and ovarian cysts. Early diagnosis and treatment along with weight loss may lower the risk of long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. 

So what are the signs of PCOS?

Quoting the NHS, signs of PCOS can be recognized when a woman is in her 20s. Among them are the following:

1. Irregular Periods

Having few menstrual periods or periods that aren't regular are common signs of PCOS. So is having periods that last for many days or longer than is typical for a period. For example, you might have fewer than nine periods a year. And those periods may occur more than 35 days apart. You may have trouble getting pregnant.

2. Excessive hair growth because of the hormone androgen

High levels of the hormone androgen may result in excess facial and body hair. This is called hirsutism. Sometimes, severe acne and male-pattern baldness can happen, too.

3. Polycystic ovaries 

Your ovaries might be bigger. Many follicles containing immature eggs may develop around the edge of the ovary. The ovaries might not work the way they should.

PCOS Treatments

There are several treatments that can be done to treat PCOS, as quoted from the NHS.

1. Healthy lifestyle changes

Eating healthy foods and maintaining an ideal body weight can reduce symptoms.

2. Medication

Consuming drugs that have been prescribed by a doctor helps to control irregular menstrual cycles and fertility hormones.

3. Simple surgery

If drugs do not help PCOS symptoms, the doctor will recommend a special medical procedure for Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (LOD).