Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (Stein-Levental syndrome) is a fairly common disease. He is exposed to girls who have started menstruating and everyone who still has them. This is a fairly complex disease with many "pitfalls".

The first thing I want to note is the absence of separate pain symptoms, which leads to serious stages of the development of this ailment. The syndrome of polycystic ovaries, whose treatment is long enough, is almost incurable completely. Scientists from all over the world are carefully studying the causes of this problem, but have not yet established them accurately. It is only known that heredity, traumatization, inflammatory processes of internal genital organs, excessive body weight, abortions, pregnancy and childbirth, after or during which complications arose, can exacerbate the situation. These are also risk factors.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is dangerous because if it is not detected in time and does not start treatment, then the development of a cyst (or several cysts), which will increase, is possible. It also occurs with unexpressed symptoms, but the treatment of many cases requires immediate action. As a preventive measure, one should get used to regular visits to a gynecologist every 6-12 months.

A doctor who treats the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS, PCOS) is called a gynecologist-endocrinologist. This is very important, because The main cause of the disease is hormonal imbalance. Polycystic ovary syndrome is closely related to the exchange and formation of progesterone, estrogen, follicle stimulating (FSH), luteinizing (LH) hormones. The first 2 are formed in the ovaries and stimulate the production, maturation and release of the oocytes. They also give a signal to the pituitary gland, which causes the release of FSH and LH. And these hormones stimulate the formation of progesterone and estrogen and also participate in the processes associated with eggs. The exchange of these hormones is a vicious circle, and if some part of this chain goes beyond the norms, then their entire balance is violated, leading to dysfunctional ovaries.

But why is this disease called "polycystic ovary syndrome" (PCOS)? It's very simple. If there is a disturbance in the balance of hormones, the follicles in which the ovules develop do not tear and thus form a small cystic formation. Usually, with this ailment, it is located inside the ovary. With several menstrual cycles, when there was no ovulation (the follicle did not burst and the egg did not come out), several cystic lesions appear, which is called "polycystic ovary syndrome".

And yet some symptoms are present. Usually, menstruation is copious and painful, the cycle is not permanent and can go on with delays of several months (amenorrhea), hirsutism (increased content of male hormones), head skin is very oily (this can result in fatty hair, acne or acne , Seborrhea), it is possible to develop diabetes and heart disease. As can be seen, the syndrome of polycystic ovaries, whose treatment is quite complicated, can cause even more serious health problems.

Diagnostic methods allow you to accurately determine the degree of the disease and possible treatment options. For this, a blood test is performed for the presence and level of the corresponding hormones, an ultrasound examination, a palpated examination.

Options for treatment should be selected individually. The fact is that often prescribed the use of COCs, or combined oral contraceptives, which will reduce the level of male hormones or androgens. However, this is not enough, because If you do not start fighting overweight (and this is often a problem with polycystosis), then the formation of androgens in the fat mass will continue. It is because of them that there may be signs of hirsutism (hair growth, typical for men, fat mass increase as a male figure, voice tone is reduced, etc.), infertility is possible. By the way, many COCs have the effect of removing excess fluid from the body, and therefore, reduce weight. However, this method is not at all suitable for those who have weight in the norm or there is a lack of it. In this variant, other hormonal preparations that are not contraceptives are selected.

In diabetes mellitus, the treatment is aimed not only at normalizing weight, controlling and stimulating ovulation, bringing the hormone level into the proper balance, but also at consuming excessive amounts of glucose in the blood. Any case with complications has its own amendments, but the main directions are listed above.

Another 2 methods of treatment are surgical operations. At the first cut out part of the ovary, embraced by inflammatory processes and cystic formations. At the second, by the action of energy of heat, laser or electricity on separate parts of the ovary, formations are destroyed. Rehabilitation after such activities includes compulsory use of hormonal drugs.

Usually, all treatment options are carried out so that the girl can get pregnant. With proper treatment, this can be done quite often. In some cases, polycystic ovary syndrome disappears after pregnancy, but as a rule, it recedes only during pregnancy itself. However, this is no reason to despair, because many people suffer from their diseases, which accompany them all their life. And polycystic ovary syndrome is not the worst option. It is only necessary to control hormones and weight.

We wish you to be healthy and beloved mothers!