PCOS: A Common Health Issue For Women

What is PCOS?

PCOS or Polycystic ovarian disorder is a wellbeing issue common to women that are usually caused by reproductive hormone imbalances. It affects the ovaries which will create irregularities in producing egg cells. It is one of the main catalysts to women infertility.

1 out of 10 (roughly 5-10%) women ages 15 to 44 years, or years before the menopausal stage, have PCOS. The risk of having PCOS might be higher for those who are obese or those who have a family history of it.

What are the symptoms?

To decide if you have PCOS, take a look at the typical symptoms.

Here are some common symptoms of PCOS:

1. Menstrual cycle irregularities. Women who are experiencing irregular menstrual cycle are likely to have PCOS. Hence, some women with PCOS have lesser periods. Unfortunately, some women with PCOS have stopped having their monthly menstruation.
2. Excessive hair on specific body parts. Women who have more hair on areas like the face, the chin or other body parts where men commonly have hair are at a higher risk of having PCOS. This condition is widely known as hirsutism.
3. The appearance of acne on your face, your chest and your back.
4. Hair loss and thinning.
5. Gaining weight.
6. Skin darkening. It is usually observed along your neck, groin, and just under your breast.

How to treat PCOS?

There is no known cure for PCOS. However, you can manage its symptoms. Your doctor will help you plan out your treatment. Medicines and take-home remedies are an effective combination(doctor’s advice).

Treatment Using Medicine Alone:

• Hormonal Birth Control. Applicable for women who do not want to get pregnant. It includes pills, patches, IUDs and vaginal rings.

Hormonal birth control medicines help make your menstruation more regular. It also helps reduce acne and excessive hair on your body.

Moreover, there are also birth control medicines infused with estrogen and progesterone such as “Aranelle”. Seek your doctor’s help for proper guidance.

Also, take time browsing the web to know more about combination hormonal medicines. You might be able to take advantage of an Aranelle coupon available online.

• Anti-androgens. The FDA does not approve these, Food and Drug Administration, to help manage PCOS symptoms. However, anti-androgen medicines help reduce hair loss and acne.
• This is not approved by the FDA either, but it helps lower your glucose just as the dimensions of insulin and androgen in your body. It may also help your ovulation to start again.

Treatment For The Hope Of Getting Pregnant

• Weight loss. Obesity and being overweight is such a hindrance on having that opportunity of having a baby while you are diagnosed with PCOS. A balanced diet and a regular exercise can help you get a chance of getting pregnant.

If you are improving yourself physically, your menstrual cycle will improve as well. Thus, your fertility will also grow.

• Medicinal approach. Your doctor’s prescription will help you improve your fertility rate. Medicines like clomiphene will help you increase your chances of ovulation.
• If medicine fails, you might want to consider In Vitro Fertilization(IVF). Through IVF, the fertilization takes place in a laboratory where your egg cell and your partner’s sperm cell will be under close monitoring until successful fertilization.

Then, it will be placed in your uterus to develop. Hence, IVF has a higher rate of pregnancy than that of therapeutic approach.

• Surgical operation. When all other options are unsuccessful, you can consider surgery as an alternative. Women with PCOS have a thick outer shell of their ovary. Thus, preventing regular ovulation.

In this process, however, ovarian drilling will be administered. Using lasers or electrically heated fine needles, the doctor puts some holes in the surface of the ovary. Successful operation restores ovulation but is limited to 6 to 8 months.

Takeaway

Most women dream of having their own family. By family, it means bearing and raising children. However, the threat of being infertile due to hormonal imbalances is a woman’s worst nightmare. PCOS is an alarming health issue for women. Anyone can be diagnosed. Infertility and the possibility of not being able to bear a child are what makes PCOS depressing for women who have it.

However, experts are in continuous pursuit of giving PCOS patients hope. From natural ways to therapeutic approaches, there are more options now than before in the fight against PCOS. Remember to educate yourself about Polycystic ovarian syndrome. Most of all, take care of your body and stay healthy.