What are the common causes of female infertility? Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of them. What is polycystic ovary syndrome? Understanding this issue requires a little background knowledge, starting with basic physiological functions. A woman’s ovary is the place where many follicles gather, and the follicle is a small fluid sac in which the egg resides. When the egg is mature, the follicle will rupture in time to release the mature egg, which will then travel through the fallopian tube to the uterus, where it will meet and rejoin with the sperm to complete the fertilization process. This is how the ovaries work in healthy women, but not in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). In polycystic ovary syndrome, several immature follicles gather in a cluster to form several large follicles. When the eggs inside the follicles mature, the follicles do not rupture and the mature eggs are imprisoned in them and do not have the opportunity to swim out freely in search of sperm to meet them, preventing them from conceiving. For this reason, patients with polycystic ovary syndrome often do not have a menstrual cycle, or have a few periods occasionally. 1. What are the causes and symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome? The exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is still medically unclear. According to studies on twins, it is believed to have a considerable genetic relationship, and is also influenced by the environment and lifestyle. Diabetes and polycystic ovary syndrome are closely related. type 1 diabetic patients are at increased risk of polycystic ovary syndrome because there are higher than normal levels of insulin acting in contact with the ovaries of these patients, promoting androgen production by the ovaries. the same is true for type 2 diabetic patients, who have higher than normal levels of insulin in their bodies because of insulin resistance. Polycystic ovary syndrome suggests the need for patients to be screened for diabetes. Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome vary from person to person and commonly include: absence of menstrual cycle or menstrual cycle disorders; dysmenorrhea; heavy or prolonged menstrual periods; infertility; acne, facial hirsutism; acanthosis nigricans; and abdominal obesity. 2. How to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome? Firstly, other diseases should be excluded, such as thyroid disease, premature ovarian failure or adrenal disease, all of which have similar manifestations. Blood tests for lipids. 3. How does polycystic ovary syndrome affect pregnancy? Because polycystic ovary syndrome prevents ovulation, it affects conception. One solution is to apply medication to induce ovulation. Insulin sensitizers or steroids that lower androgens can help with this. Some studies suggest that taking small doses of aspirin can help with pregnancy because aspirin can act as an anticoagulant at the endometrium and improve blood circulation. Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome are more likely to miscarry even if they become pregnant, possibly due to elevated levels of luteinizing hormone, which promotes the secretion of progesterone. High blood glucose and insulin in diabetic patients affect the development of the fetus. Insulin resistance and delayed ovulation (ovulation after 16 days of menstruation) can affect the quality of the eggs and lead to miscarriage. The best way to prevent miscarriage in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome is to correct abnormal hormone levels in the patient’s body to improve ovulation, strictly control blood sugar and lower androgens, metformin helps with this. 4.How to treat polycystic ovary syndrome? Polycystic ovary syndrome cannot be cured, but can only be managed to prevent and control other problems that complicate it. Birth control pills are usually given to regulate the menstrual cycle, suppress androgens and clear acne. There are also medications that are helpful for blood pressure, lipids and cosmetic problems. Taking progestins and insulin sensitizers help induce menstruation and restore a normal menstrual cycle. A balanced diet low in carbohydrates, active exercise, weight loss and maintaining a normal weight can all reduce the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. 5. Can polycystic ovary syndrome cause other problems? Yes, polycystic ovary syndrome can cause problems other than infertility. Because of irregular menstruation and non-ovulation, the ovaries produce estrogen but not progesterone. Without progesterone, the endometrium grows uncontrollably, resulting in a mutation of the endometrial cell morphology, which is called endometrial hyperplasia, a precancerous condition. If left unchecked, it will evolve into endometrial cancer over time. Patients with polycystic ovary syndrome may also face other health problems in the future, such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, heart disease; depression and emotional disorders are also common due to the disease and infertility, all of which require vigilance.