Polycystic ovary syndrome: symptoms, causes and effects on the body

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which a woman produces more androgens (male hormones) than normal. This causes cysts (fluid-filled sacs) to grow on the ovaries.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS have high levels of male hormones. The disturbance in hormone production causes the ovaries to develop small fluid-filled cavities and may cause the ovaries to not release eggs on a regular basis.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome also usually have altered, infrequent, irregular or prolonged menstrual periods. The origin of this condition is unknown. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to help prevent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases that can be derived in the long term as a consequence of this condition common.

In this article we will explore polycystic ovary syndrome, seeing what it is and how it interferes with ovulation, as well as its causes and main symptoms, as well as explaining how excess hormones affect health.

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What is the syndrome of ovary polycystic?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a disorder that affects hormones and its main consequence is the formation of cysts in the ovaries, hence the name of this common condition. The formation of cysts in the ovaries may be at the origin of the irregular menstrual periods that most patients diagnosed with this syndrome present. Polycystic means that there are many small sacs called cysts.

This pathological condition is not a new disease. Physicians first noticed the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome in 1721, when an Italian physician named Antonio Vallisneri noted that women with higher levels of male hormones also had lower levels of progesterone and higher levels of androgens than normal.

polycystic ovary syndrome it has a high prevalence rate, although it is underdiagnosed. Between 2.2 and 26.7% of women of reproductive age (between 15 and 44 years) suffer from this hormonal problem. Also, PCOS affects many people who don't know they have it; According to a study, 7 out of 10 people affected with PCOS have not been diagnosed.

Symptoms

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a combination of symptoms affecting the ovaries and ovulation. There are three main features of PCOS:

• ovarian cysts
• Elevated levels of male hormones
• Irregular or skipped periods

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Polycystic ovary syndrome and ovulation

Polycystic ovary syndrome mainly affects a woman's reproductive organs, the ovaries. The ovaries mainly produce estrogen, progesterone (female hormones) which are responsible for regulating menstruation. In addition, although to a lesser extent, the ovaries also produce androgens, which are typically male hormones.

The ovaries release eggs, which are fertilized by male sperm. If everything works normally, each month, an egg is released. Ovulation is controlled by follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which are produced in the pituitary gland. LH causes an egg to be released, after FSH has produced a follicle (sac containing an egg) in the ovary.

Polycystic ovary syndrome causes many small fluid-filled sacs to grow inside the ovaries. (actually follicles containing undeveloped eggs). This occurs along with elevated levels of male hormones, and irregular or no menstrual cycles. The eggs never develop enough to trigger ovulation, and because of this, ovulation is not triggered. This affects the levels of LH, FSH, progesterone, and estrogen.

Menstrual cycles are disrupted by elevated male hormones, and women with PCOS experience fewer menstrual cycles than normal.

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Causes of polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which a woman's ovaries produce hormones and eggs poorly due to elevated levels of male hormones. The exact causes of PCOS are unknown, but the origin of the syndrome has been linked to inflammation, insulin resistance, and genes related to androgen production

1. Genetics

Some genes may be related to polycystic ovary syndrome, according to scientific research. PCOS could be passed from mothers to daughters. There are probably several genes involved in the development of PCOS, and not just one.

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2. insulin resistance

The ability of cells to use the main energy supply (sugars) is governed by insulin; This hormone allows glucose to enter the cells, so that it can be metabolized. Insulin is manufactured in the pancreas, specifically it is produced by beta cells in the islets of Langerhans.

If cells become resistant to the effects of insulin, the body can produce more, increasing potentially the production of male hormones and causing a woman to have difficulty ovulating and staying pregnant.

Up to 70% of women with PCOS produce excess insulin because your cells can't use it properly. This above-normal increase in insulin production causes the ovaries to produce more male hormones. In addition, the risk of diabetes increases when there is insulin resistance.

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3. Excess production of androgens

Although the exact origin is not known. Polycystic ovary syndrome is directly related to androgen production. Polycystic ovaries produce abnormally high levels of male hormones. This causes a number of side effects such as excessive hair growth and acne..

4. low grade inflammation

Higher levels of androgens have been linked to increased inflammation in the body. Inflammation refers to the production of white blood cells that occurs in the body to deal with internal or external aggressions.

Women with PCOS often have high levels of inflammation in their body, some studies have shown the relationship between PCOS and low-grade inflammation that occurs in women diagnosed with this condition that produces an excess of male hormones.

Polycystic ovaries due to low-grade inflammation produce androgens. This can cause, in the long run, problems in the cardiovascular system.

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Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome can develop at different stages of life, sometimes it can appear after weight gain, although it usually manifests for the first time during puberty. The first signs and symptoms appear during puberty around the first menstruation.

Polycystic ovary syndrome presents a series of typical symptoms.

1. irregular menstrual cycles

The most common sign of PCOS is having irregular menstrual cycles, too long or infrequent. There are less than nine annual periods, or these occur in spaces greater than 35 days. This alteration of the menstrual period also makes bleeding more abundant when menstruation occurs.

2. High levels of male hormones

Also, higher levels of androgens in the body; Increased production of male hormones is often accompanied by changes in the appearance of the body. Some examples are increased hair growth (especially on the face and body), and Sometimes the appearance of severe acne and even hormonal alteration can cause pattern baldness male.

3. polycystic ovaries

The ovaries may become enlarged and contain several follicles around the ovules.. This can cause them to stop working regularly.

How does PCOS affect the body?

High levels of male hormones, which occurs in polycystic ovary syndrome, can affect fertility, in addition to having other effects on the body and health.

1. infertility

Without ovulation there is no pregnancy. The lack of regularity in ovulation causes fewer eggs to be produced, and, therefore, there are fewer chances of fertilization. Polycystic ovary syndrome is considered the main cause of infertility in pregnant people.

2. Metabolic syndrome

8 out of 10 women diagnosed with PCOS are overweight. Polycystic ovary syndrome accompanied by being overweight increases the risk of suffering from different pathological conditions such as high low blood sugar, high blood pressure, low "good" HDL cholesterol, and increased "bad" LDL cholesterol. Together, these factors are called the metabolic syndrome and increase the risk of heart problems and diabetes.

3. Sleep apnea

Polycystic ovary syndrome increases the risk that women will experience sleep apnea. this condition causes the person to stop breathing several times a night, which decreases the quality of sleep. Women who have PCOS are at higher risk of developing sleep apnea than women who do not have PCOS.

4. Endometrial cancer

One of the most serious consequences of polycystic ovary syndrome is endometrial cancer. During ovulation, the lining of the uterus sheds. If you don't ovulate every month, the lining of your uterus can build up. If the lining is too thick, it can increase the chance of endometrial cancer.

5. Depression

Hormonal disturbances are one of the best known causes of depression. Changes in hormones, as well as their associated symptoms such as unwanted hair growth, can negatively affect emotions. People who have PCOS can often be depressed or anxious.