Causes of PCOS

The exact cause of hormonal disturbances seen in PCOS is unclear. The conditions tends to run in families but no specific gene has been conclusively linked to its development. Risk factors that seem to lead to the condition apart from family history includes obesity, menstrual disturbances, diabetes mellitus and dysfunction of the pituitary gland.

The female body also produces male sex hormones (androgens) although the levels are not as high as in men. It appears that with PCOS, the amount of androgens are much higher than normal and this affects the estrogen levels which are lower than normal. The disorder in the hormone levels are likely related to its regulatory hormones, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). LH levels are usually elevated while FSH is often depressed.

Normal maturation of the follicle with subsequent rupture and release of an egg cell (ovulation) is affected. Follicles may mature but not rupture and results in cyst formation. This leads to a menstrual cycle without ovulation – anovulatory cycle. Without ovulation, pregnancy is not possible.

Signs and Symptoms of PCOS

The hormonal disturbance leads to menstrual irregularity which can be varied in presentation. Some women experience periods too frequently while others may report delayed menstruation. The menses may be very heavy or scanty. Period pain or more correctly ovulation pain (mittelschmerz) is a common feature.

The high levels of androgens may lead to some distinct changes in the female body. Hirsutism (abnormal hair growth in women) is a common feature and in severe cases, there may also be virilism (development of secondary male sexual characteristics). Androgenetic alopecia (pattern baldness) is common as well. Other related features include oily skin, acne vulgaris, skin pigmentation, dandruff and obesity.

Associated weight gain and insulin resistance may lead to features associated with metabolic syndrome. Impaired glucose tolerance, hypertension and hyperlipidemia (elevated levels of fats) are common findings.

Ovarian Cysts

Cysts in the ovaries are not always present in every PCOS case. When it is, it may be used as a means of monitoring the effectiveness of treatment along with improvement in other signs and symptoms. Cysts are best assessed with a transvaginal ultrasound. Typically there are multiple cysts, usually in one ovary but may affect both sides, and these cysts can number 12 or more. These cysts may vary in size from 2 millimeters to 10 millimeters but can be as large as 15 millimeters in diameter, or rarely even larger. The effects of ovarian dysfunction leads to enlargement of the ovaries, often on both sides, which can be greater than 10 cubic centimeters.

This condition is very different from suffering the condition known as ovarian cysts, polycystic ovaries happens due to the ovaries being covered in very small follicles. It is a condition which can have an affect on infertility and has also been known to be the cause of reoccurring miscarriages; in fact these two conditions are very often a sign of polycystic ovarian syndrome.

How does the condition happen?

During a woman’s menstrual cycle very small follicles will grow on the ovaries and within these follicles eggs will develop; only one of the eggs, the one which matures the fastest will be released into the fallopian tubes. This is what is known as ovulation, there could be hundreds of remaining follicles and these will degenerate.

However when the woman has this syndrome the ovaries are much bigger and the undeveloped follicles will clump together, most times this wont affect you and you wont have any symptoms or problems but then problems can start when the follicles start to cause an hormonal imbalance. When this happens symptoms can then begin to show.

What are the symptoms of polycystic syndrome?

The most extreme symptoms that can show are an increase in weight, their periods may stop or be very infrequent, they could be prone to acne, unusually heavy body hair could grow which more often shows on the face, breasts and insides of the legs. Recurrent miscarriages are also a sign of polycystic syndrome as is infertility.

What treatments are available for this syndrome?

There has been a lot of research over the last few years into the nutritional approach towards polycystic ovary syndrome and great strides have been made in treatment. This is mainly due to if changes are made to the diet and the woman loses weight then the hormone levels will return to normal, after the weight loss a great change can be seen in a recent study over 82% of women who were having trouble ovulating showed great improvements.

Supplements have also been shown to be successful in recent studies with best results been seen when taken over a period of at least three months.

A suggested supplement plan is listed below

• A good multivitamin and mineral tablet.
• 200 mcg of chromium.
• 30 mg zinc citrate.
• 300mg magnesium.
• 30 mg three times a day co-enzyme Q10.
• 50 mg vitamin B complex.
• Agnus castus plus.

Ovarian cysts can occur in women of all ages and they are very common, however they are more common in women who haven’t gone through menopause and women who have irregular periods are more at risk of developing them than women whose periods are regular.

What are ovarian cysts?

A cyst is a fluid filled sac like structure that develops on the ovaries, when ovarian cysts are first diagnosed it can be frightening however most cysts are benign, which means that they aren’t cancerous but harmless.

What is the cause of them?

During the women’s normal menstrual cycle the ovaries will develop small follicles on the surface, one of these will grow to around 2 to 3 cms, when mid cycle is reached the most dominant of these follicles will rupture and then the egg is released.

This follicle will then turn into what is called the corpus luteum and produces the pregnancy hormone progesterone if pregnancy is successful; if it isn’t then the corpus luteum shrivels up and will disappear. Cysts can then arise from either the corpus luteum or the follicle; this will depend chiefly on the stage during your period that this happens. The follicle cyst will occur when ovulation doesn’t occur and the follicle is left to grow.

What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts?

Unless there are complications then ovarian cysts will not normally show any symptoms, however symptoms that can arise include:

• Pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen.
• A feeling of bloating or fullness.
• Pain when having sex.
• The desire to urinate frequently.
• Difficulty with bowel movements.
• Irregular periods or spotting during the menstrual cycle.

What are the complications of ovarian cysts?

Sometimes the cysts might rupture, bleed or become infected, you will know of this were it to happen because they will cause severe pain and discomfort and usually vomiting or nausea. The most common cause of rupture of the cysts is sex, strenuous exercise or trauma to the area.

What treatment is given for ovarian cysts?

Treatment and care for ovarian cysts will depend on several factors such as the age, the size of the cyst and the type of the cyst. Ultrasound scans will normally determine the type of the cyst and usually if it is just a small simple cyst then no treatment will be given immediately.

Occasionally ovarian cysts will remedy themselves without any treatment so your doctor may simply advise keeping an eye on them with repeated scans. If the cysts are large then leaving them generally isn’t an option and your doctor may recommend surgery as the only option and in a few cases there is no option but to remove the ovary as well.

Here is a great site for Ovarian Cyst Cure.