Medical Minute!…Polycystic Ovary Syndrome…(In Women)

Ladies  Im sure your asking What Is P.C.O.S?..Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which a woman has an imbalance of a female sex hormones. This may lead to menstrual cycle changes, cysts in the ovaries, trouble getting pregnant, and other health changes.

PCOS is linked to changes in the level of certain hormones:

• Estrogen and progesterone, the female hormones that help a woman’s ovaries release eggs

• Androgen, a male hormone found in small amounts in women

  It is not completely understood why or how the changes in the hormone levels occur. The changes make it harder for a woman’s ovaries to release fully grown (mature) eggs.  Normally, one or more eggs are released during a woman’s period. This is called ovulation. In PCOS, mature eggs are not released from the ovaries. Instead, they can form very small cysts in the ovary.

  These changes can contribute to infertility. The other symptoms of this disorder are due to the hormone imbalances.

  Most of the time, PCOS is diagnosed in women in their 20s or 30s. However, it may also affect teenage girls. The symptoms often begin when a girl’s periods start. Women with this disorder often have a mother or sister who has symptoms similar to those of polycystic ovary syndrome.

  Symptoms

  • No period after you have had one or more normal ones during puberty (secondary amenorrhea)

  • Irregular periods, that may come and go and may be very light to very heavy

  PCOS can cause you to develop male-like characteristics. This is called virilization. Symptoms include:

  • Body hair growing on the chest, belly, face, and around the nipples

  • Decreased breast size

  • Enlargement of the clitoris

  • Thinning of the hair on the head, called male-pattern baldness

  • Voice gets deeper

  You may also have skin changes:

  • Acne that gets worse

  • Dark or thick skin markings and creases around the armpits, groin, neck, and breasts. Ladies Go Get checked out!