PCOS is a hormonal condition that causes irregular periods, unpredictable ovulation, and other
symptoms. Treatments can help you manage your symptoms and lower your risk of other health
conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. Doctors don't know exactly what causes PCOS, but
family history and genetics, hormones, and lifestyle play a role. Women with insulin resistance (a
condition that makes their bodies less sensitive to insulin) are more likely to have PCOS.
Symptoms
PCOS is a hormone problem that affects about 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. It can cause a variety
of symptoms, including irregular or infrequent periods, excess hair growth (hirsutism), acne, weight
gain, and difficulty getting pregnant Symptoms usually begins around the time of your first menstrual
period, but sometimes they develop later. Other signs include ovarian cysts, infertility, and a higher risk
of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. A gynecologist or endocrinologist makes the diagnosis by asking
you about your symptoms, past health, family history,, and other factors. You may also be asked to take
blood tests. The doctor might order a pelvic ultrasound, which uses sound waves to look for cysts in your
ovaries.
Treatment
PCOS is caused by problems with the hormones that control the menstrual cycle. These are produced by
the ovaries, which also produce a small number of male hormones called androgens. The ovaries
produce a hormone called follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and another hormone called luteinizing
hormone (LH). They control the release of eggs, which are fertilized by sperm in the uterus. In PCOS, the
ovaries don't produce enough FSH or LH, so they don't release a mature egg every month. Instead, many
fluid-filled sacs develop along the edge of the ovary, containing immature eggs. Hormonal birth control
methods like pills, shots,, or an intrauterine device (IUD) can restore regular periods and reduce the risk
of developing cancer called endometrial cancer. Taking just a hormone called progestin can also get
periods back on track.
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Pregnancy
A woman conceives (converts to being pregnant) when her ovaries ovulate (releases a fertilized egg).
Once the egg has hatched, it travels to her uterus and is attached in a process called implantation.
After implantation, your baby's placenta forms tiny hair like projections (villi) that extend into the wall of
your uterus. These villi carry oxygen, nutrients, and hormones to the developing fetus. As the fetus
grows, structures necessary to form the eyes and ears begin to appear. The head begins to swell, and
small buds that will become arms sprout. Your fetus' brain and face continue to develop until you give
birth when it's full-term at about 40 weeks. Most babies are born healthy, but some miscarriages and
birth defects occur during pregnancy.
Genetics
In his 19th-century work, Gregory Mendel was the first to study how traits pass down from one
generation to the next. Mendel's discovery of the laws that govern trait inheritance helped pave the way
for modern genetics, a science that studies how genes interact with one another, and how they
influence an individual's traits.
There's no one gene responsible for PCOS, but it's a complex condition that can have a variety of causes.
It's a genetic disorder, meaning it can be passed down from parents to their children. It's also a complex
disease that can be caused by many different factors, including diet, exercise, and lifestyle. While
scientists are still working to understand the exact etiology of PCOS, there are some things you can do to
reduce your risk. If you're concerned about your ovaries or have other symptoms, talk to your
healthcare provider. They can help you find treatments that can ease your symptoms.
