Perhaps for ordinary people, “polycystic ovaries” or “polycystic ovary syndrome” is a very strange and distant medical concept, but for many women with irregular menstruation, non-pregnancy or obesity, acne and hirsutism, this concept may not be unfamiliar.
1. What are polycystic ovaries? What is polycystic ovary syndrome?
Polycystic ovary is a condition in which the ultrasound shows ≥12 follicles of 2-9mm in diameter and/or an ovarian volume of ≥10mL on the same surface.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is commonly associated with 1 or more of the following 3 items: sporadic ovulation or anovulation, high androgens, and ultrasound showing polycystic ovaries.
2. What are the manifestations?
①Hirsutism, acne, acanthosis nigricans, seborrheic alopecia and other manifestations of high androgens.
② manifestations of menstrual disorders such as scanty menstruation, amenorrhea, dribbling and frequent menstruation.
(iii) Obesity, abnormal glucose tolerance or diabetes mellitus, and other signs of abnormal islet function.
(iv) High serum luteinizing hormone (LH) levels as indicated by sex hormones.
⑤ Not getting pregnant.
3. Why do I have this disease?
Although the disease may be genetically related, there are many uncertainties. It is familially aggregated and is genetically inherited in about 70% of cases. It is associated with excessive exposure of the female fetus to androgens in utero and also with acquired exposure to excessive androgens during the reproductive years.
4.How to treat?
①Loss of weight is the primary, diet control and exercise when effective treatment.
②Compound oral contraceptives may have better efficacy in adjusting menstrual cycle and controlling various symptoms of hyperandrogenism.
(iii) Some of the oral medications used to treat diabetes have therapeutic effects on abnormal islet function.
④ Ovulation promotion therapy may restore ovulation to induce pregnancy.
5.What are the adverse consequences of no treatment?
①Prolonged amenorrhea may lead to the development of endometrial cancer.
(ii) Increased incidence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension.
(iii) Significant increase in cardiovascular risk.
④High risk of miscarriage after natural pregnancy and many complications during pregnancy.