Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that is a leading cause of infertility in women who are of child-bearing age. There is no known cause of PCOS, although studies have shown that there are contributing factors, there is no definite proof. Many of these contributing factors are also seen as symptoms or results of the condition itself, making it even more difficult to distinguish.

History

PCOS is also known as Stein Leventhal syndrome; named after Irving Stein and Michael Leventhal. They first described the condition in 1935 after observing a group of women who were experiencing very similar symptoms; they were unable to conceive, were overweight and had excess hair growth. At that time, technology in the medical field was very limited and it was not possible to conduct the same types of tests that those in the medical profession can now. For this reason, women at that time were diagnosed with PCOS if they displayed the same 3 characteristics of the women that Stein and Leventhal observed.

Symptoms

Women diagnosed as having PCOS display a wide range of symptoms to differing degrees. The following is a list of some common PCOS symptoms, although it is important to note that not all women display all of these symptoms. In fact, it is possible to be diagnosed with PCOS even if the woman displays no outward symptoms at all except cystic ovaries.

• irregular menstruation cycle (Oligomenorrhoea)- less than 8 per year
• complete absence of a period (Amenorrhoea)
• infertility
• multiple ovarian cysts – in many cases of women with PCOS, the cysts will appear on an ultrasound to be in what is referred to as a “string of pearls” pattern
• excessive facial and/or body hair (Hirsutism)- hair growth in areas normally associated with the patterns of males
• acne
• obesity- it is often very difficult for overweight women with PCOS to lose weight
• chronic fatigue
• depression
• male-pattern hair loss
• abdominal pain

Cause

No one can say for sure what causes PCOS to occur in women. There is a belief that genetic predisposition contributes to the likeliness that a woman will develop polycystic ovaries. Also, lifestyle and environmental factors are believed to play a part in the cause of PCOS. Diet and exercise habits along with stress levels can aggravate or trigger the symptoms of PCOS.

Long term problems associated with PCOS

There is an increase in the odds for certain health conditions to occur in the long term with women diagnosed with PCOS. They include the following:

• Hypertension
• insulin resistance syndrome or type 2 diabetes
• Heart disease
• Endometrial cancer

Diagnostic tests

References

1. Harris, Colette & Carey, Dr. Adam (2000) PCOS: A Woman's Guide to Dealing with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ISBN 0722539754

2. Craggs-Hinton, Christine & Balen, Adam M.D. (2004) Positive Options for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) ISBN 0897934377