Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Fertility
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and Fertility are interrelated. PCOS is an abbreviation for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. It is a widespread reproductive condition that affects various metabolism processes. PCOS is characterized by anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. It may increase the risk of various diseases like resistance to insulin, obesity, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. With a mixture of environmental and genetic factors, PCOS tends to be an inherited genetic condition. In first-degree family members, it can be related to metabolic disorders. In couples seeking care, PCOS is the cause of up to 30% of infertility. No PCOS cure is currently available. In this article, we will cover issues around Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and fertility.
What is PCOS?
Before going further, let us first understand what is PCOS. PCOS is a common health condition caused by the imbalance of reproductive hormones, known as polycystic ovarian syndrome. Hormonal disequilibrium induces ovarian problems. Many women with PCOS develop on their ovaries a number of tiny cysts or bags of fluid. The cysts are not dangerous but can cause a hormone imbalance.
Understanding PCOS and Its Impact on Fertility
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age, disrupting their hormonal balance and metabolic functions. While PCOS doesn’t necessarily guarantee infertility, it is a significant contributing factor.
Research estimates indicate that PCOS affects 5-13 percent of women of reproductive age. It’s important to acknowledge that even in the face of PCOS-related fertility challenges, there are effective strategies and treatments available.
The Role of PCOS in Fertility
Individuals with PCOS experience hormonal imbalances that can lead to various challenges impacting fertility, including:
1. Androgen Imbalance
PCOS can lead to elevated levels of androgens, which are often referred to as “male hormones.” This imbalance can disrupt the ovulation process, leading to irregular or missed menstrual periods.
2. Ovarian Cysts
One of the hallmarks of PCOS is the formation of small fluid-filled sacs in the ovaries, known as cysts. These cysts can interfere with the normal ovulation process.
3. Insulin Resistance
High levels of insulin in the blood are common among individuals with PCOS. This can lead to metabolic disturbances and impact the ovulation process.
4. Thickened Ovarian Outer Shell
PCOS can cause the outer shell of the o
Identifying PCOS Symptoms
Recognizing the symptoms of PCOS is crucial for early intervention and effective management. These symptoms may include:
- Excessive hair growth in male-pattern areas
- Thinning hair on the scalp
- Oily skin or severe acne
- Skin tags in specific areas
- Patches of darkened skin
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Insulin resistance
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods
What are the symptoms of PCOS?
There are many symptoms of PCOS. However, the three symptoms that are present in all are as follows:
- Irregular Periods – PCOS women may skip cycles or have fewer cycles (less than eight in a year). Or they can have menstrual cycles every 21 days or more regularly. Many females with PCOS are no longer menstruating.
- Excessive Hair Growth – Women with PCOS develop so-called hair growth on top of the chin, lip, neck, facial faces, upper arm, abdomen, and inner thighs. There also follows a male pattern, which thins the scalp and the top of the head. High levels of androgen that stimulate hair follicles are the reason behind these changes.
- Infertility – PCOS may cause infertility among women. All PCOS women are not the same, however. While some people will need the aid of fertility treatments, others may not. Women with PCOS are more likely to have gestational diabetes, high blood pressure caused by pregnancy premature delivery, and preeclampsia.
Other symptoms are as follows –
- Weight issues – Around half of PCOS people would have difficulty controlling weight gain and obesity.
- Skin Problems – High levels of male hormones that occur in PCOS-positive women can also cause severe acne in the face, chest, and back – particularly in young women. Resistance to insulin and high levels of insulin can contribute to the creation of dense, velvety, and darker skin patches than usual skin tones.
- Pelvic pain – Pelvic pain and heavy bleeding can also occur during periods. It can also happen if a woman does not bleed.
- Headache – Headache can be prompted by the hormonal changes inside your body.
How can you diagnose PCOS?
PCOS can be identified by various tests and examinations. For this purpose, you have to visit the doctor and tell them about your medical history. Further tests that will help you determine PCOS are –
- Pelvic scan/exam – Your doctor can conduct a pelvic examination.
- Physical tests – The doctor will measure blood pressure and BMI. Your skin will also be examined for more hair on the nose, chest, or back, or acne. Your doctor may check hair loss or signs of other conditions of health.
- Blood tests – Blood tests will also check your androgen hormone levels, sometimes called “male hormones,” for hormones that may be mistaken for PCOS, such as thyroid disease, which may be linked to other common health problems. Your doctor may also test you for diabetes and your cholesterol levels.
What effect does PCOS have on your body?
PCOS can lead to various health issues. Some of them are –
- Type 2 Diabetes – The insulin resistance in females with PCOS is at the very least partially a strong risk factor for type-2 diabetes (T2D) as it develops in women with PCOS at a younger age than women who do not experience this condition.
The risk of females with PCOS is currently four-fold higher than that of women without polycystic ovary syndrome. Diabetes brings with it a long-lived need to monitor blood sugar, maintain physical activity, monitor carbohydrate quantities, and typically require anti-diabetes medicines. Diabetes also increases the risk of vision changes, kidney complications, and cardiovascular conditions.
- Cardiovascular diseases –The prevalence of PCOS for women with high blood pressure, severe and obstructive artery disorders, high heart-damaging LDL cholesterol, and low protective HDL cholesterol with poorly regulated diabetes is high. PCOS-related women also have a higher-than-normal prevalence of cardiovascular disease, heart attack, and stroke.
In one study, women under 60 years old with MRI scans of their arteries had more areas of severe and harmful atherosclerosis narrowing of their arteries than those who are not having PCOS.
- Mood issues – Females with PCOS have greater anxiety, pain, depression, and eating disorders. Experts do not agree on why, although others say that depression is a common response to issues such as obesity, unwanted increase in weight, and premature hair growth.
Some of the alleged premature androgens and other hormone imbalances trigger mood changes.
- Obstruction in sleep apnea – Relaxed muscles that cause your airways to close for a couple of seconds and make frequent pauses in sleep are more common in women with PCOS. Sleep apnea can cause dangerous daily exhaustion, moods, loss of memory, diabetes-related weight gain, and heart disease.
Women with PCOS are 30 times more vulnerable to breathing disorders during sleep than women without PCOS.
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How are Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome and fertility-related?
You may not always require to have fertility drugs during PCOS to get pregnant.
Therefore, you may want simply to have unprotected sex on a regular basis for several months instead of relying on body temperature charts, urine testing, and fertility medications.
If you have sex without using contraceptives at least twice a week, your chances of becoming pregnant are rather high. Usually, an egg retains its potential to be fertilized for an entire day after release, and sperm remains viable for up to 5 days. This means that it can only be more than enough to get pregnant to have frequent unprotected sex.
If still not successful, you can consult a fertility specialist who can design an infertility treatment plan for you. It may require only medical or lifestyle changes or maybe a more invasive IVF process.
While it is not clear about the causes of PCOS, early diagnoses can reduce symptoms and complications.
Strategies for Improving Fertility
Lifestyle Modifications
Maintaining a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise is essential for managing PCOS and improving fertility. It’s crucial to work closely with healthcare professionals to develop a personalized plan.
Fertility Treatments
For individuals struggling with infertility due to PCOS, a range of treatments is available. These include:
Hormonal Birth Control
Hormonal birth control can regulate menstrual cycles and provide protection from conditions like endometriosis, which often accompanies PCOS.
Ovulation-Inducing Medications
Medications like Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) and Letrozole (Femara) can stimulate ovulation, increasing the chances of conception.
Metformin
Metformin, primarily used to manage type 2 diabetes, can also aid in regulating menstrual cycles and encouraging ovulation.
Gonadotropins
Injectable hormones known as gonadotropins can help induce ovulation and may require regular monitoring by a medical professional.
Surgical Interventions
In some cases, surgical procedures such as laparoscopic ovarian drilling may be considered to restore ovulation.
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