What is polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS)?

What is polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS)?

Patients with PCOS have a number of small

underdeveloped follicles present on the outer
surface of their ovaries. These follicles are
often less than 8mm in size and have failed to
develop due to a hormone imbalance. These
cyst lie structure are evident in her ultrasound
scan of her ovaries that was included in the
scenario.
Causes of PCOS
The exact cause of PCOS remains unknown but
there appears to be a genetic component
because it often runs in families. PCOS
develops when the ovaries are overstimulated
to produce excessive amounts androgens by
high levels of luteinizing hormone(LH) that are
released from the anterior pituitary gland and high levels of insulin. Patients may have high levels of
testosterone and LH. High levels of LH may lead to the hypertrophy of the theca interna which
causes the ovaries to increase its androstenedione and testosterone production. High levels of LH
may also be responsible preventing the maturation of oocyte when they complete their first meiotic
cycle. PCOS is often seen in patients who are overweight. These individuals are often insulin
resistant because the normal amounts of insulin they produce is unable to transport glucose into fat
and muscle tissues from the blood. Therefore more insulin is often produced by the pancreases and
this causes a state of hyperinsulinemia. High levels of insulin can cause the ovaries to produce too
much testosterone which disrupts the development of the follicle and therefore prevents normal
ovulation from occurring because the ovum becomes stops developing properly in the ovaries.
Symptoms of PCOS
There are a number of symptoms associated with PCOS. Patient often have trouble conceiving
because anovulation is occurring. This appear to be the major concern for the couples. The patient
may also experience oligomenorrhoea where their periods have become infrequent. Other patients
may experience amenorrhoea where the periods may become absent. These changes in the
menstrual cycle can increase the risk of endometrial cancer because the lining of the endometrium
is http://buyvaniqacream.com not being shed on a monthly basis and also because patients with
PCOS often have high levels of oestrogen which can cause the lining of the endometrium to stay
intact. Patient also has notice increased facial hair growth, this is known as hirtuism. This is due to
the androgens having a growth promoting effect on the hair follicle. Other patients may experience
extra hair growth around their forearms, lower legs and on the abdomen. Patients may also notice
an increase in weight. This could be due to patients with PCOS being insulin resistant which causes
failure of glucose absorption and therefore excess glucose is turned into fat which will be stored.

Other symptoms which patients often experience include acne, acanthosis nigricans (areas of
increased skin pigmentation) and the risk of miscarriage increases.
Diagnosis of PCOS
Patients who present with hirtuism and menstrual cycle disturbances are often diagnosed with
PCOS. However, before the patient is diagnosed with PCOS other rarer conditions which cause
similar symptoms such as late onset congenital adrenal hyperplasia, Cushings syndrome, ovarian
and adrenal tumours need to be excluded. Blood tests can be are taken to determine levels of
luteinising hormone, testosterone, insulin, glucose and cholesterol. An ultrasound scan is carried out
to confirm the diagnosis of PCOS. A patient confirmed with this condition will show a number of cyst
like structure on the outer surface of the ovaries which looks rather like a pearl necklace.
Treatment of PCOS
PCOS cannot be cured but treatment can be provided with the aims of reducing hirtuism, inducing
regular periods and improving http://www.cvs.com/drug/vaniqa/topical-cream/13_9pc fertility which
would all be beneficial. Cyproterone acetate can be used http://buyvaniqacream.com to lower
testosterone levels in order to reduce growth of unwanted hair on face as well as using vaniqa cream
to block the action of enzymes in hair follicles to prevent unwanted hair growth. Contraceptive pill
orprogestogen-only pill may can be used to induce regular periods and also reduce risk of
endometrial cancer. Metformin can increase ovulation and improve effects of insulin resistance. For
patients who would like to conceive clomifene can be given to stimulate ovulation. Surgical
procedures such as laparoscopic ovarian drilling can be carried out to destroy the tissue areas which
are causing excess androgens to be produced.