Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a condition that affects hormone levels in women. In this condition, women produce higher (than normal) male hormones. Due to this, the body faces hormonal imbalance which results in a skip in the menstrual period. PCOS often creates issues in getting pregnant. This condition can cause various other problems like extra facial and body hair growth. Sometimes, PCOS can also lead to long-term issues like heart disease and diabetes. Doctors often prescribe birth control pills and diabetes to maintain the hormonal level and improve its symptoms. 

PCOS is a common type of syndrome that affects women between the ages of 15 to 44. Many women face PCOS but they don’t know. According to a study, about 70 percent of PCOS cases hadn’t been diagnosed. This condition affects the ovaries that produce estrogen and progesterone. These hormones are critical to a regular menstrual cycle. PCOS affects the ovaries and ovulation. The main features of this condition are cysts in the ovaries or high levels of male hormones. 

Common causes behind PCOS

There is no exact known cause behind this condition. But some research shows that this condition appears due to high levels of male hormones. It prevents the ovaries from producing essential hormones and making eggs.

Genes

PCOS condition can run in families. If a woman has PCOS issues then other women in the family may face the same condition.

Insulin resistance

More than 60 percent of women with PCOS have insulin resistance problems. In this condition, the cells can’t use the insulin properly. Insulin is an essential hormone to use sugar from food to get energy. When your body can’t use enough insulin, the demand for insulin increases. The extra insulin the body triggers in the ovaries of women produces more male hormones. This problem can appear due to obesity. 

Inflammation

Women with this condition often have increased levels of inflammation. Obesity also affects inflammation. Certain studies show that a higher range of inflammation is linked to high androgen levels. 

Symptoms of PCOS

Many women witness the symptoms of PCOS around their first period. Whereas others face the symptoms after gaining weight or troubling in getting pregnant. Common symptoms of PCOS are:

Irregular period

Due to a lack of ovulation, the body prevents the uterine line from shedding every month. Some women with this condition get less than 8 periods a year. 

Heavy bleeding

The uterine lining builds up for more time than regular, which often results in heavy bleeding.

Acne

The male hormones in the body increase which makes the skin more oily and lead to acne breakouts in the face, upper back, and chest area.

Hair growth

More than half of women with this condition face extra hair growth in the face and body. 

Weight gain

About 80 percent of women with PCOS are obese or overweight.

Baldness

Some women may also face male pattern baldness like hairs on the scalp getting thinner.

Headaches

Changes in hormone levels often trigger headaches.

Skin darkening

Women with PCOS can witness dark patches on the neck, groin, and under the breasts. 

Changes in women’s bodies due to PCOS

Infertility

When a woman’s body has a high level of androgen then it can affect fertility. For pregnancy, ovulation is necessary. Women who don’t ovulate can’t release an adequate amount of eggs to be fertilized. PCOS has become one of the biggest issues behind infertility in women.

Sleep apnea

In this condition, a woman may face repeated pauses in breathing during the night. Due to this, women face interruption in sleep which leads to sleep apnea. The risk of getting sleep apnea increases a lot when a woman is overweight and has PCOS. 

Metabolic syndrome

More than 75 percent of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. PCOS and obesity can cause issues like high blood pressure, high sugar levels, and poor HDL cholesterol. These factors known as metabolic syndrome can lead to issues like diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. 

Depression

Depression is one of the common symptoms of hormonal changes. Due to imbalanced hormones, a person faces lots of changes in the physical body like unwanted hair growth, irregular period, acne, etc that negatively affects emotions. Many women with PCOS condition face issues like anxiety and depression.

Endometrial cancer

The uterine lining sheds due to ovulation. But when a woman doesn't ovulate on time, the lining keeps building up. The thickened lining can cause endometrial cancer.

Treatment options for PCOS

Birth Control

Doctors may prescribe birth control to manage PCOS symptoms. These pills can help in restoring normal hormonal levels and regular ovulation. Other symptoms like excess hair growth and acne issues can also be reduced. 

Metformin

It is a type of drug for type 2 diabetes. Metformin is also helpful in PCOS as it improves insulin levels.  

Homeopathy

Homeopathy is also helpful in treating PCOS. Talk to a homeopathy doctor New York and get proper treatment. The doctor will ask certain questions regarding PCOS symptoms, your diet, etc. He will prescribe medications that not only reduce the symptoms but also treat the causes. 

Hair removal medications

Women who are facing excess body hair growth due to PCOS can take hair removal medications. Eflornithine cream is often used to reduce hair growth.

Surgery

Women who are facing fertility issues can go for surgery. Ovarian drilling is a common procedure to improve the fertility rate. In this surgery, tiny holes are made in the ovary to restore normal ovulation.