When Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome meets “polycystic” I’m not fat and I don’t have acne, so why am I suspected of having Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome? Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can vary greatly from person to person. The diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome can be made if two of the following three conditions are met: (1) ovulation disorder: often characterized by scanty menstruation and amenorrhea; (2) ultrasound suggests a polycystic state of the ovaries either bilaterally or unilaterally; and (3) hyperandrogenism or clinically hyperandrogenic manifestations: including hairiness, acne, and other manifestations of masculinization. Other diseases that can also cause anovulation and hyperandrogenemia, such as neoplastic diseases and hyperadrenalism, should be excluded before diagnosis. Some patients may have abnormal metabolic profiles, such as abnormalities in blood lipids, blood glucose, insulin, and some may have significant weight gain and obesity. But not every patient will have obesity or acne, and the absence of obesity or acne is not an indicator to rule out polycystic ovary syndrome. 2. I used to have menstrual periods but have stopped having them in recent months, is it possible to have polycystic ovary syndrome? The formation of normal menstruation depends on the coordinated neuroendocrine response between the hypothalamus – pituitary gland – ovaries – uterus, and problems in any of these areas can lead to lack of menstruation. In polycystic ovary syndrome, there is a dysfunction of the gonadal axis, the ovaries locally produce too much androgen, which inhibits follicular growth and maturation, leading to ovulation disorders, and menstruation will not come. However, menstruation is a “fragile nerve aunt”, in addition to polycystic ovary syndrome, there are many other factors that can affect menstruation, such as excessive dieting and weight loss led to the inhibition of the gonadal axis, the tumor on the endocrine hormone disruption, abortion and scraping of the uterine cavity damage, and so on. The reason for amenorrhea, but also need to go to the hospital to do a check to find out. 3.Why do I have polycystic ovary syndrome? The cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is not clear, genetic, nutritional, environmental and mental factors are all possible causes. If the mother is diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome or has scanty menstruation, the father has baldness, or there are diabetics in the family, the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome is relatively increased; ② Obesity and high energy diet aggravate the ovulation disorders and hyperandrogenemia; ③ Environmental compounds such as Bisphenol A and Dioxin, which are present in the disposable plastic cups and renovation places, can interfere with the endocrine system and cause ovulation disorders or insulin resistance; ④ Chronic depression, anxiety, and stress are possible causes of polycystic ovary syndrome. Long-term depression, anxiety and stress can promote the progress of this disease. Patients, do you have an unhealthy lifestyle, or are you suffering from anxiety and tension? 4. Doctors have been repeatedly emphasizing on lifestyle regulation, is polycystic ovary syndrome related to certain special lifestyle habits? Yes, women who do not exercise much, have a sweet tooth, eat a high-fat, high-energy diet, are obese and have an irregular lifestyle may have a higher chance of developing polycystic ovary syndrome. 5.What are the symptoms of this disease? What are the risks for me? Polycystic ovary syndrome patients clinical manifestations are diverse, depending on the person, mainly manifested in the following aspects: ① irregular menstruation: delayed menstruation for a week to several months, or even amenorrhea, or combined with menstrual dribbling; ② more and more like a woman – androgen levels rise: there can be face, back acne, some women around the lips, Breasts, upper arms, thighs, and midline areas of the body appear excessive hair; ③ “drinking water are fat”: not much to eat, but the waistline is getting thicker and thicker (≥ 80cm), the weight grows year after year, it is difficult to lose weight; ④ difficult to get pregnant: polycystic ovary syndrome will lead to anovulation, endometrial tolerance changes, the rate of conception is lower than that of a normal woman, and the rate of spontaneous abortion is high after pregnancy. The rate of conception is lower than that of normal women, and the rate of spontaneous abortion after pregnancy is high. If you think, “Oh, this disease is just bad menstruation, long meat, long hair, long acne”, then you underestimate polycystic ovary syndrome, which not only affects fertility, but also the disease continues to develop throughout the life, and poorly controlled will be complicated by depression, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and endometrial cancer and other health problems, and often, when these complications occur, it is already “frozen in one day, not a day”. “Three feet of ice is not cold in a day”, its impact on women’s health should not be taken lightly. But do not be too afraid, active and healthy lifestyle, weight control and early prevention and treatment can reduce its harm. 6.Can this disease be cured or self-cured? Polycystic ovary syndrome, like hypertension and diabetes, is a chronic disease that can only be controlled but not cured. The clinical manifestations of polycystic ovary syndrome are diverse and vary from person to person. Some people have mild symptoms, for example, some patients have slightly irregular menstruation, but there is no complete lack of ovulation, so there is a chance to get pregnant naturally, coupled with the fact that she pays close attention to adjusting her life style, she is relatively thin, and the impact on her long-term health is also relatively small. This situation can not be talked about self-healing, but the disease impact is really small. In contrast, patients with significant hyperandrogenemia (e.g., acne, hirsutism, oily skin, etc.) and obesity have a significantly higher risk of complications such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and endometrial cancer.