The polycystic ovarian syndrome is a hormonal disorder that occurs in women of reproductive age. People affected by this disease would have an excessive amount of androgenic hormones in them. This leads to the manifestation of male features. Some of the signs and symptoms of this condition include irregular menstrual periods, heavy menstrual flow, hirsutism, pain in the pelvis, infertility, dark thick skin, and so on. Other diseases that are associated with this condition include cardiovascular diseases, mood problems, and even endometrial cancer. The exact cause of this disease is not known yet, however, it has been observed that environment and genetics play a major role. For example, an individual that has a family with a history of Polycystic kidney syndrome has a high risk of having this disease. This disease can be diagnosed through different means. A patient affected by this disease will not ovulate, have an abnormally elevated amount of androgen hormones, and also have ovarian cysts. This cyst can be detected by doing an ultrasound. This disease has no cure, however, patients can modify their lifestyle to cope with this disease. Some medications used in the management of this disease include metformin, clomiphene and so on. Stem cell therapy and exosomes have a lot of potential for the treatment of PCOS if successfully replicated in humans. PCOS is more prevalent in women between the ages of 18 and 44.
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
Below are some of the common signs and symptoms associated with polycystic ovarian syndrome;
- Irregular menstrual period: This is due to the excessive androgen hormones that are produced by the ovaries. This may lead to oligomenorrhea, while others might have menorrhagia. Patients usually have about 9 menstrual periods a year.
- Infertility: This can also be attributed to the excessive androgen hormones produced by the ovaries. It has the ability to suppress or totally stop ovulation. This is why most women suffering from Polycystic ovarian syndrome do have fertility problems. This problem can also be attributed to the lack of ovulation in affected women
- Women affected by PCOS tend to have thick and dark skins, due to the surge in androgen hormones.
- Women affected by PCOS also present with acne.
- Metabolic syndrome: PCOS patients often present with obesity, and other conditions associated with insulin resistance.
- The abnormal and progressive gain of weight: Patients that have Polycystic ovarian syndrome have been shown to have insulin resistance. This leads to the excessive production of insulin in the body. High level of insulin in the body leads to hyperlipidemia. This eventually leads to the accumulation of weight.
- Abnormal growth of hair on the face, neck and other parts of the body: the Male pattern-like growth of hair is one of the symptoms to be noticed in Polycystic ovarian syndrome.
- Depression: This is common among women suffering from this disease because of the problems associated with it, especially in women who’re trying to get pregnant. Infertility causes a lot of worries and might lead to depression. In addition, people affected by this disease tend to go into depression because of the weight they gain within a short period of time. This weight most times become difficult to lose, and this drives a lot of patients into depression.
What Is The Cause Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
The exact cause of the polycystic ovarian syndrome isn’t known yet, however, there are some factors that facilitate the development of this disease. Some of these factors are explained below;
- Abnormal level of insulin: Insulin is the hormone produced by the pancreas. It allows the body to utilize sugar. However, in cases where the body becomes resistant to insulin, the blood sugar level would spike, leading to more insulin production. This might also lead to an increase in the production of male hormones.
- Heredity: People with a family history of the polycystic ovarian syndrome, have more chances of developing the disease.
- Excess androgen: The ovaries produce high levels of androgen, which would result in conditions such as acne, and excessive body hair growth.
- Inflammation: Studies have shown that women with PCOS, tend to have a low-grade inflammation, which induces the ovaries to produce androgens.
What Are The Complications Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
The complications of the polycystic ovarian syndrome are essentially due to hormone imbalance, and also insulin resistance. Some of the complications include
- Diabetes mellitus: It has been proven that polycystic ovarian syndrome is always associated with insulin resistance. However, when this is not well managed, it can lead to diabetes mellitus, especially diabetes mellitus type 2. Diabetes mellitus type 2 is caused by insulin resistance, and this occurs mostly as a result of the deposition of fat in the abdominal area.
- Infertility: This is due to the overproduction of androgen hormones by the ovaries. The excess androgen hormones lead to anovulation.
- Metabolic syndrome: This can be attributed to the insulin resistance that comes with the polycystic ovarian syndrome.
- Obstructive sleep apnea
How Is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Treated?
Although this disease has no treatment, there are some things patients can do to manage this disease. Below are some of them;
- Loss of weight: This is one of the most important ways of managing the disease. Patients should endeavor to work out often, to put a check on their weight. In addition, they should monitor what they eat. Losing weight increases the effectiveness of the medications.
- Drugs: There are some drugs that can help to reduce androgen production. Some of the medications include control birth pills and progestin therapy. This helps to reduce the risk of endometrial cancer, and eliminate abnormal menstrual flow.
Stem Cell Therapy Of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
A lot of research has been ongoing, about the possibility of stem cell therapy, is a better and more effective alternative to medications. In an experiment, human mesenchymal stem cells were implanted into the ovaries of an animal model affected by the polycystic ovarian syndrome. It was realized that the ovarian and menstrual cycle of the animal was normalized, just two weeks after the implantation of the stem cells. Other symptoms such as insulin resistance and weight gain were also normalized. Stem cell therapy has a lot of potential for the treatment of PCOS if successfully replicated in humans.
References
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Trubetskoy, A. (2004). Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Diagnosed Enteroviral Meningitis in Adults with Aseptic Meningitis. Academic Emergency Medicine, 11(5), pp.554-554.
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