You have irregular periods, you don’t eat much and you have gained weight, you are still unable to conceive a new child after years of marriage, you are often depressed, but you have no medical problems after a gynecological examination. For this reason, you “professionally” think that you may have gone through early menopause because of stress. But in fact, this may be the fault of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Gynecologic endocrinology diagnosis – polycystic ovary syndrome
The doctor performed a detailed examination and the results showed: polycystic ovary syndrome! This made Anna realize that it was the reason for her failure to make a baby for many years! But Anna didn’t know anything about this disease: what kind of disease is it, why do I have this “bad luck”, and how to treat it? In response to Anna’s confusion, the doctor patiently gave professional answers.
Polycystic ovary syndrome, probably left behind by the previous generation
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine and metabolic disorder in women (especially those of childbearing age) that involves enlarged ovaries, thickened membranes, multiple follicles at different stages of development, and granulosa cell luteinization.
It is believed that the majority of these disorders are genetic in origin. The inheritance may come from either the mother or the father, so the mother may not necessarily have a history of the same condition. In addition to the inability to conceive successfully, hair loss, hirsutism, depression, obesity, and marked masculinity are the most common symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome! Of course, not all patients have all the symptoms, and there are many types of polycystic ovary syndrome, each with a different presentation.
In addition, to tell you a little secret, the father may also be the “genetic body” of polycystic ovaries, research has shown that the male body also contains genes that cause this disease (the specific gene is unknown so far), when the father has symptoms of hair loss, and the daughter’s own irregular menstruation, thinning difficulties, you must go to the hospital to check to rule out the possibility of polycystic ovaries possibility.
This type of disease, if left untreated, is associated with high androgens, prolonged menstruation and lack of progesterone in the body, which can easily lead to endometrial hyperplasia and increase the chances of endometrial cancer. It is also an important predisposing factor for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, gestational diabetes, and gestational hypertension syndrome, and needs to be treated promptly.
Myths of PCOS screening
Generally speaking, many women will go to gynecology to check their health problems as Anna did after a long period of unsuccessful conception, but many times no cause can be found. Polycystic ovaries should go to gynecology endocrinology, or reproductive medicine for a comprehensive examination, and need to undergo the following three tests as Anna did –
1. Doctor’s inquiry
The doctor asks about menstrual status, irregular periods and/or amenorrhea are one of the main symptoms of this disease.
2. Blood hormone test
This test is to determine if androgen levels are normal. When the test results show excessive levels of androgens, also known as hyperandrogenemia, then the possibility of polycystic ovaries is also present. It should be noted here that there are two types of hyperandrogenemia, the first is biochemical Kaohsiung, which can be known through laboratory tests.
There is another kind of clinical Kaohsiung, although the test results show normal, but when the patient himself has symptoms such as hirsutism, acne and acanthosis nigricans, it also proves that the androgen index in his body is super high and meets the criteria of polycystic ovaries.
3.B ultrasound examination
Ultrasound examination is performed to see if there are more than 12 small follicles in both ovaries. If there are more than 12, then polycystic ovaries are likely to have come to your door.
In fact, if two of the above three tests are met, then the diagnosis of polycystic ovaries can be confirmed, and if Anna hits all three tests, she needs timely treatment.
Lifestyle changes: “mandatory” natural weight loss
Generally speaking, patients with this type of disease become a problem to slim down, so we have to follow the three principles of “no sugar, less oil, more exercise” to reduce weight, that is, for the high sugar content of food, to avoid all, greasy food, high protein content of food as little as possible, weekdays to a light diet, plus a regular daily 45 The PCOS will be half cured by “mandatory” weight reduction through regular 45 minutes of aerobic exercise every day!
In addition, to adjust their own work and rest time, follow the working hours of the human biological clock, so that the body circulation to the most natural state, but also to lay a good foundation for treatment.
Medication: Short-acting contraceptive pills
Doctors recommend that Anna take oral contraceptives every day for three months and stop taking them for three months, mainly for protecting the endometrium, adjusting the menstrual cycle, and improving hirsutism and acne by reducing the androgens produced by the ovaries. This ensures that patients have normal menstruation for half a year. Oral short-acting contraceptives are the most effective and safest treatment available today, not only for regulating menstruation but also for adjusting the abnormal endocrine hormone levels in women with PCOS, and are the main recommended modality by doctors.