There are several diseases or disorders in women that can be the reason for infertility. This fact makes many women upset all around the world. thanks to modern achievements in medicine and science many of these diseases are treatable and women can enjoy the amazing feeling of being a parent. Moreover, in the cases infertility can not be treated, women should not be upset, because they can become parents with surrogacy. Surrogacy is one of the amazing achievements of modern medicine. Read more about surrogacy and surrogacy programs in our article:
What Surrogacy Program is Suitable for Me?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder and is very common among women of reproductive age. It is also a chronic endocrine disorder. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods. When PCOS is diagnosed there is also an excessive amount of male hormone levels, which are androgens. In women who have PCOS, the ovaries produce follicles, but the ovules do not mature or leave the ovary. These immature follicles can become liquid-filled sacs called ‘’cysts”.
What are Symptoms of Polycystosis and When to See a Doctor?
Generally, the symptoms appear around the time of the first menstrual period during puberty. Sometimes polycystosis develops in response to substantial weight gain. That’s why it is so important to pay attention to weight gain, it is not normal and it is always caused by any kind of disease. Here are the signs of PCOS:
- Irregular menstrual periods or no periods at all. Irregular or prolonged menstrual cycles are the most common sign of PCOS.
- High level of androgens. Androgens are male hormones and an excess amount of them in the body of a woman causes excess facial and body hair (hirsutism), and rarely severe acne and male pattern baldness.
- Polycystic ovaries. Ovaries enlarge and may contain follicles that surround the eggs. As a result, the ovaries fail to function regularly.
- Weight gain
- Oily skin or acne
- Thinning hair and hair loss
- Difficulty while getting pregnant. Because of irregular ovulation or failure to ovulate.
PCOS signs are usually more severe if you’re obese. So the answer to the question of when to see a doctor, sounds like, immediately if you have even one symptom from the list above.
What are the Causes of PCOS?
The causes for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is not known exactly, but here are some factors that may play a great role in causing PCOS:
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- Excess amount of insulin. Insulin is the hormone that is produced in the pancreas. Insulin allows cells to use sugar, which is the primary energy supply in our body. In the case our cells become resistant to the insulin action, then our blood sugar levels can rise and the body may produce more insulin. An Excess amount of insulin increases the androgen production and the last causes difficulty with ovulation.
- Low-grade inflammation. Maybe this term is not known to you, it describes white blood cells’ production of substances in order to fight infection. It is interesting to know that research has shown that women with PCOS have a type of low-grade inflammation that stimulates polycystic ovaries to produce androgens, which can lead to heart and blood vessel problems too.
- Heredity. Research suggests that certain genes might be connected to PCOS.
- Excess androgens. The ovaries produce super high levels of androgen, resulting in hirsutism and acne.
Treatment Methods for PCOS
There is no treatment that can cure PCOS fully, but some symptoms can be managed.
Hormonal Therapy
Oral contraceptives regulate women’s periods. By making the uterine wall blood on a regular basis, they elevate the risk of overgrowth or endometrial cancer associated with not having regular periods. These medications also control hair growth and acne by suppressing androgens, fertility drugs can be given to stimulate ovulation in women who want to become pregnant.
Other medications that are good for treating PCOS symptoms are those which reduce the insulin level. It also helps women to lose weight.
Changes in Lifestyle
It is known that PCOS in women who are overweight contains more risk factors. Weight loss of just 5% can lead to a significant improvement in PCOS. That’s why it is so important to lose weight. It seems a little bit hard for women, but everything is possible, the most important is a strong will and courage. Enough sleep and exercising also are very important factors for losing weight and improving health.
We will cover this topic in our next article thoroughly, so wait for our next blog!
Can PCOS Cause Infertility?
Well, having been diagnosed with PCOS does not for sure mean that you cannot get pregnant, but it is also a fact that PCOS can affect fertility in different ways. The primary cause of infertility in women is ovulation problems. Ovulation may not occur due to an increased level of testosterone production or because follicles on the ovaries do not mature.
PCOS is also the primary cause of hyperandrogenism and oligo-anovulation at the reproductive age of women and is often associated with infertility. It is also associated with clinical and metabolic disorders. The prevalence of infertility in women with PCOS varies between 70 and 80%.
Women with PCOS can get pregnant if they have moderate weight, balanced blood sugar levels, and lead a healthy lifestyle together with taking some pills. It is also important to be taken into account that there are several types of PCOS and treatments methods depend on this factor. In some cases, fertility medications alone can help you get pregnant. If that doesn’t work, you do not have to worry, there is a good solution for you- this is IVF treatment. There are brilliant experts on this matter in Be Parent surrogacy agency!
So, if you are diagnosed with PCOS and you were told that you need IVF treatment, don’t waste your time, call us and make your first appointment with our consultants. They will provide you with all the necessary information.
You are always welcome to Be Parent!
