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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Pictures

What is Polycystic ovarian syndrome ?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a hormonal disorder that affects women who are of reproductive age and is a common disorder. Most of the women, if not all, with polycystic ovarian syndrome have small cysts in their ovaries. The presence of ovarian cysts alone cannot determine the presence of the disorder. The symptoms that accompany polycystic ovarian syndrome are used in the diagnosis of the disorder.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome Symptoms

Some of the signs and symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome are as follows:

Disturbances in the menstrual periods, is the primary sign of polycystic ovarian syndrome. The menstrual abnormalities may include prolonged intervals between cycles, lengthy periods with scant or heavy flow, failure to menstruate for four months continuously, etc.
Presence of small cysts in the ovaries. The ovaries also become enlarged.
Increased levels of the male hormone androgen.
Increased acne and oily skin
Elevated levels of cholesterol
Infertility
Increased presence of dandruff
Rapid weight gain that may result in obesity
High levels of insulin and increased resistance to insulin
Hair loss in a male-like pattern
Discolorations of the skin
Increased blood pressure
Excess growth of body hair

Polycystic ovarian syndrome Causes

Polycystic ovarian syndrome may be caused due to a number of genetic and environmental factors. Some of them are listed below:

Women with low grade inflammation are at greater risk to develop polycystic ovarian syndrome. Inflammation refers to the fight-response system of the white blood cells against infections. Low grade inflammation usually triggered due to certain foods may result in insulin resistance and high cholesterol levels.
Increased resistance to insulin may result in greater amounts of insulin production by the pancreas. The presence of excess insulin leads to an increase in the production of androgen by the ovaries increasing the risk to develop polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Increased exposure to male hormones at the stage of fetal development may result in insulin resistance and low grade inflammation.
It has a genetic basis and may pass on from mother to daughter.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome Treatment

Treatment of polycystic ovarian syndrome involves medications like:

Birth control pills that decrease androgen production
Intake of progesterone injections
Drugs to regulate the insulin levels in the body
Clomiphene citrate, or luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone injections for assistance in ovulation
Surgery called laparoscopic ovarian drilling to induce ovulation