Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a reasonably observed endocrine condition in reproductive-aged women. It affects roughly 5-10 percent of young women and typically leads to problems conceiving. Women with this disorder can experience irregular periods, abnormal hair growth, acne, and can have ovaries harboring many tiny cysts.
What are the signs that you can notice if you have PCOS?
PCO is not synonymous with PCOS. PCOS is diagnosed when you have PCO and several of the following symptoms:
- irregular menstrual cycles or complete lack of face or body hair problems losing weight or quick weight gain
- acne or greasy skin impediment to pregnancy
- Periods are considered ‘irregular’ if the length of your cycle (the time interval between periods) continues to change. The usual menstrual cycle is 28 days long, however it is normal for it to be somewhat shorter or longer.
You may have any of these symptoms of PCOS, although they vary amongst women, with some experiencing milder symptoms and others experiencing more severe symptoms. Reach out to the best gynecologist in Coimbatore for pcos to avoid further complications of the condition.
How does ovulation function in a healthy body?
A mature follicle, which is also a cystic structure, develops during a regular menstrual cycle with ovulation. A developed follicle that is ready to ovulate measures between 18 and 28mm in diameter.
- If the lady is not pregnant, she should have her period about 14 days following ovulation.
- Although polycystic ovaries contain many small antral follicles containing eggs, the follicles do not develop and mature adequately, resulting in no ovulation.
- Women with polycystic ovaries do not have normal menstrual periods because they do not ovulate on a regular basis. PCOS treatment can help in regulating your period cycle on a monthly basis.
PCOS and infertility:
PCOS has a detrimental effect on fertility since women with the illness do not ovulate, or release an egg, each month as a result of the ovaries producing too much estrogen. Periods become irregular as a result of irregular ovulation, and elevated hormone levels such as testosterone can impair egg quality, impede ovulation, create insulin resistance, and raise the chance of developing illnesses such as gestational diabetes.
Is there any possibility of getting pregnant with PCOS?
While it is not impossible for a woman with PCOS to conceive on her own, many women with the condition require the assistance of a fertility specialist.
Treatment involved for PCOS and infertility:
The first step in treating PCOS in women who are attempting to conceive a child is to change their lifestyle, which includes eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly. Diets with fewer carbohydrates and a lower glycemic load have been demonstrated to be the most effective in PCOS patients. At least 30 minutes of moderate activity three times per week is recommended for PCOS patients, with daily exercise being the ultimate objective.
Women who continue to experience irregular ovulation despite making lifestyle changes may need fertility medication to help them release an egg from the ovary. Patients with PCOS who do not ovulate and are trying to conceive typically receive fertility drugs as part of their initial treatment.
Most women taking fertility injections will generate two or more eggs every month, rather than just one. This treatment necessitates more frequent transvaginal ultrasounds and blood samples to determine the woman’s estradiol level, a hormone generated in the ovary. Fertility injections are also linked to a higher likelihood of multiple births.
Women with PCOS may require in vitro fertilization (IVF) in order to have a healthy pregnancy in some cases. Daily fertility injections are utilized in this scenario to stimulate the ovaries to generate numerous eggs, which are then collected in a small operation. The eggs are fertilized in a lab and then placed into the woman’s uterus as an embryo (fertilized egg). Embryos can also be frozen (cryopreserved) for later use.
What are the potential health risks involved with PCOS?
Insulin resistance can arise in women with PCOS, as previously stated. Insulin resistance can be detected with a simple blood test.
Hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol and/or triglycerides, is also a possibility in PCOS women. A fasting blood sample can be used to screen women for this disorder. Hyperlipidemia should be checked often because it can lead to cardiovascular problems later in life.
Due to chronically elevated levels of circulating estrogens, women with PCOS appear to be at a greater risk for endometrial (uterine) cancer later in life. Because menstrual periods are irregular, expansion of the uterine lining can occur, which can lead to cancer in some situations.
Ovarian torsion is also more common in women with PCOS (twisted ovary).
What are the treatment options available to treat a female with PCOS?
Maintaining a healthy weight:
If you’re overweight or obese, decreasing weight with a balanced diet and regular exercise can help you have a more regular menstrual cycle and increase your fertility. Consult the Best Doctor For PCOS for advanced PCOS treatment without any side effects.
In vitro fertilization:
If medicine fails, IVF may be an alternative. In IVF, your egg is fertilized in a laboratory with your partner’s sperm before being implanted and developing in your uterus. IVF has higher pregnancy rates and better control over the danger of getting twins and triplets than medication alone (by allowing your doctor to transfer a single fertilized egg into your uterus).
Medical surgery:
Surgery is also an option, although it is normally reserved for when all other alternatives have failed. Women with PCOS have a thicker outer shell (called the cortex) on their ovaries, which is thought to have a role in inhibiting spontaneous ovulation.
Ovarian drilling is a procedure in which your specialist for polycystic ovarian syndrome uses lasers or a small needle heated with electricity to produce a few holes in the surface of your ovary. Ovulation is frequently restored after surgery, but only for 6 to 8 months.
Can a woman dealing with PCOS be pregnant?
The good news is that fertility medications can help you get pregnant if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome. With fertility therapy, the vast majority of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome will be able to have a kid. Consult a NABH hospital in Coimbatore to increase your chances to get pregnant with PCOS.
Takeaway
The answer is yes. If a women with polycystic Ovary Syndrome does not seek treatment, she can run the risk of becoming infertile. Her FSH levels will rise, which signals that her reproductive organs are not functioning properly. Over time the eggs in her ovaries will not be able to mature, and thus cannot be released. They build up inside of her and form cysts, which is why women with PCOS frequently have multiple cysts on their ovaries. This can cause her periods to become heavier or more irregular, or even stop completely. Eventually she may become infertile if she does not receive medical treatment for these conditions.
The key concern for young women under 35 with polycystic ovaries is which treatment will be effective, rather than whether any treatment will ever work.
When it comes to the possibilities of pregnancy with PCOS, it’s difficult to provide numbers without knowing the specifics of each situation.
