PCOS: Symptoms, causes and diagnosis

Posted By Suborna Fermi Posted on Dec 13, 2023

A very common endocrine disorder is Polycystic ovary syndrome, nearly six in every ten women have been affected with this disorder globally. This condition mainly affects a woman’s reproductive organs, and can cause hormonal imbalance. As a consequence of this hormonal imbalance, PCOS can create complications in fertility. In this article, we discuss the symptoms, causes, and diagnosis of PCOS.

What are the common signs and symptoms of PCOS?

A majority of women may begin to experience PCOS symptoms on the very first day of their menstrual cycle. While some may start to notice the symptoms at the time when they are missing a period without being pregnant and facing issues getting pregnant. The typical symptoms of PCOS are:

• Irregular menstrual period
• Missed menstruation
• Abnormal menstrual bleeding
• Unexpected increase in weight
• Hair loss
• Acne
• Excessive hair growth around face, neck, and belly
• Male pattern baldness
• Obesity
• Dark and velvety patches on the skin
• Having difficulties getting pregnant
• Sleep disorder
• Depression
• Anxiety

Who is more likely to get PCOS?

We all know that polycystic ovary syndrome only affects women. But some women are more likely to get this disorder.

• Women who have a family history of this disorder
• Women who are overweight or have obesity
• Female age between 14 to 45 years

What causes polycystic ovary syndrome?

Researchers still have not found out what the exact causes of polycystic ovary syndrome are. However, doctors believe certain factors, including genetics and environment, may be the reason for this disorder. The factors include:

• Genes: Studies have shown that 50-60% of women who are diagnosed with PCOS have a family history of PCOS as well. In simple words, if your family member has this disorder, then you are also likely to get this disease as well.
• Insulin resistance: Insulin is a hormone made by the pancreas, and generally women with polycystic ovary syndrome are insulin resistant indicating their body fails to make use of the insulin properly. As the body cannot use the insulin properly, the body demands for more insulin. And too much insulin provokes ovaries to produce more male hormones (androgen).

How is polycystic ovary syndrome diagnosed?

To diagnose whether you have polycystic ovary syndrome, your doctor would ask about your symptoms, and your family’s medical history. After that they will have a general physical examination to check your body mass index, skin discoloration, excess hair growth on body, and will ask you about your menstrual cycle. Then they will suggest you:

• Pelvic exam: This exam will help the doctors find out the problems with your ovaries and other parts of your reproductive organs.
• Pelvic ultrasound: A pelvic ultrasound will help your doctor find out the size of your ovaries and cysts.
• Pcos profile test: This test helps measure the levels of androgen, insulin, cholesterol, triglycerides and other crucial hormones to determine whether you have PCOS. For this test you can go for Thyrocare, because thyrocare blood test provides accurate test results.

After the diagnosis, the doctors would recommend birth control pills to help manage the menstrual cycle and other medicines to treat hormonal imbalances and get pregnant easily.