A hormonal disorder that affects women of reproductive age causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edges.

 

Here are some key points about PCOS:

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Symptoms:

• Irregular Menstrual Periods.

• Elevated levels of androgens, such as testosterone, can cause symptoms like acne, hirsutism (excessive hair growth on the face, chest, or back), and male-pattern baldness or thinning of hair.

 

Causes: 

• ​The exact cause of PCOS is not fully understood, but it is believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances, including elevated levels of insulin and androgens, play key roles in the development of PCOS.​

 

Diagnosis: 

• ​Based on a combination of medical history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Diagnostic criteria include the presence of irregular menstrual periods, excess androgen levels, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound imaging.​

 

Treatment: 

• Treatment options may include lifestyle modifications (such as diet and exercise), hormonal medications (such as birth control pills or anti-androgen medications), insulin-sensitizing medications (such as metformin), and fertility treatments for women trying to conceive.

• Symptomatic treatments may be prescribed to manage specific symptoms, such as acne or hirsutism.

• Regular monitoring and follow-up care.

 

Complications:

• PCOS is associated with an increased risk of various health complications, including infertility, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, sleep apnea, and endometrial cancer (due to irregular menstrual cycles and unopposed estrogen exposure).

• Early diagnosis and appropriate management of PCOS can help reduce the risk of complications and improve long-term health outcomes.