Symptoms
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome show various cosmetic symptoms. In some people, these symptoms are mild and in others they are quite pronounced. Regardless of the severity of the cosmetic problem, the underlying cause is the same in all women with polycystic ovary syndrome and is a hormonal imbalance caused by a disorder in the metabolism of insulin (the hormone that helps the body utilize sugar).
Menstrual Irregularity
The most common symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome is delayed or absent menstruation. Prolonged absence of menstruation causes thickening of the lining of the uterus (endometrium) and increases the risk of cancer of the lining of the uterus. These women have 8 or fewer periods in a year.
The presence of menstrual bleeding indicates ovulation. In general, ovulation occurs as many times as the number of menstrual periods in a year. On the other hand, if a group of women with polycystic ovary syndrome have regular periods every month, but have all the other symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, it is necessary to determine whether ovulation has occurred.
Infertility
Approximately half of the women applying to a health institution for infertility are women with polycystic ovary syndrome. In polycystic ovary syndrome, insufficient growth of the egg and lack of ovulation prevent or make it difficult to conceive.
In contrast, the majority of women with polycystic ovary syndrome are able to conceive and give birth with professional help. There are different treatment options. The easiest and cheapest method is treatment with drugs that stimulate egg growth and ovulation. In addition, in vitro fertilization (IVF), which requires more advanced technology and is more expensive, is also used.
Increased Hair Growth (Hirsutism)
Increased unwanted hair is one of the major symptoms of psychological distress in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Light-colored and fine hairs tend to turn dark black and thicken due to hormonal imbalance in androgens (male hormones).
It mostly occurs with darkening and hardening of the hair in the mustache, beard and chest area. The majority of women with polycystic ovary syndrome may also experience increased hair growth on the arms, legs, abdomen and back, as well as darkening and thickening of the hair. Physical methods such as color bleaching, waxing, shaving, depilatory creams, electrolysis and laser hair removal are used in the treatment.
With these methods, attention should be paid to problems with hair that does not grow and skin irritation. Medication (anti-androgens) can be used to prevent new hair growth and to thin and lighten the color of the hair that grows. It takes at least six to eight months for a positive response to the medication recommendation.
Hair Loss
Hair loss in women is another symptom of androgen (male hormone) dysregulation. Sudden onset of hair loss may be a symptom of an underlying androgen-secreting ovarian or adrenal gland tumor. Reducing androgen levels is the mainstay of treatment.
Acne (Acne)
Acne on the face, chest and back in young girls (aldolesan) is a cosmetic problem that causes psychological distress. Hormonal irregularities may underlie acne, especially in older women. In these women, androgen hormones should be investigated.
If hormonal irregularity is detected, treatment of the underlying hormonal irregularity together with dermatologic (dermatology) treatment increases the success of the treatment.
Weight Increase
The majority of women with polycystic ovary syndrome struggle to lose or maintain weight. Diet programs are not successful when applied alone. Because the lifestyle, which is the main problem, needs to be changed. Usually, the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome appear after a transition from an active life to a more sedentary (passive) life.
The person must first sit down and review their lifestyle and realize that this lifestyle is causing them to gain weight or to be unable to maintain their weight. In these women, the increase in the waist and abdomen is greater than in the hip area.
The ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference is increasing. This is an indication of underlying impaired sugar and insulin metabolism.
Although losing weight can improve many symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, many of these women find it difficult to lose weight. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome do not benefit much from low-fat diet programs.
In contrast, carbohydrate consumption should be reduced and foods containing different carbohydrates should be taken. The correct use of carbohydrates and adequate protein consumption at each meal can also keep low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) attacks under control.
If exercise (sportive activities) is done together with diet, success can be achieved. Exercise is as effective as diet in glucose and insulin metabolism. In conclusion, diet and regular exercise are the first step in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Skin (Skin) Problems
Darkening (blackening) and thickening can occur, mostly in the neck, groin and armpit area. This is called Acanthosis Nigricans (AN). AN is caused by excess insulin secretion and is a skin problem that reflects an imbalance in glucose and insulin metabolism. These spots are treated by controlling insulin levels. In addition, dermatological methods applied to the skin are effective in treatment.
Depression and Anxiety
Psychological problems such as depression and anxiety are more common in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. However, we do not yet have any information to explain whether this frequency is due to hormonal irregularities. Polycystic ovary syndrome can cause psychological distress due to increased hair growth, acne, hair loss, menstrual irregularities and difficulty in conceiving a child.
These people often prefer to be alone and keep themselves away from society. Depression sometimes manifests itself in physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach complaints, insomnia, changes in appetite, changes in menstrual patterns. In addition, symptoms such as hopelessness, guilt, sexual reluctance and forgetfulness can be observed.
Psychological distress can often improve with the adjustment of other symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome. The treatment of the underlying cause of polycystic ovary syndrome should be integrated with professional help in psychological treatment.
Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is diagnosed in several ways: medical history, examination, blood hormone levels and ultrasound evaluation of the ovaries. If you have some of the symptoms and complaints seen in PCOS, it does not necessarily mean that you have PCOS.
The same complaints and symptoms may also occur in other situations. Your doctor will first take a complete medical history of you. They will ask you questions about the regularity of your menstrual bleeding, such as “at what age did your first period start?”, “how many days does your period last?”, “how much bleeding do you have in one period?”, “how long does it take between two periods?”, “are your periods painful?”
In addition, your doctor will ask you “have you ever been pregnant or given birth?”, “have you had a miscarriage?”, “have you had or are you having difficulty conceiving?”, “have you used or are you currently using any form of contraception?”.
He will then perform a general and gynecological examination. During the general examination, he/she will look for any discharge from the nipples, problems with the thyroid gland (goiter), increased hair growth and hair loss in unwanted parts of your body, and dark spots, especially on the neck, groin and armpits.
In addition, your height, weight, waist and hip circumference and blood pressure will be measured. The size of your ovaries will then be measured by ultrasound and your eggs will be examined for the presence of multiple, small ovarian cysts. The diagnosis of PCOS is not made by ultrasound alone, because not all women with PCOS have multiple, small cysts. Not all women with the same t have PCOS. Ultrasonography is also used to measure the thickness of the lining of the uterus, which is shed during each menstrual bleeding.
Since women with PCOS do not menstruate regularly, they are at risk of developing thickening of the lining of the uterus (hyperplasia) and cancer. If your doctor suspects that you may have PCOS at this stage, he/she may decide to determine your levels with a blood test to evaluate your endocrine system. Glucose (sugar) and insulin (the hormone that enables the body to use sugar) tests can also be performed to check whether you have insulin resistance and diabetes.
Most women with PCOS have problems with glucose and insulin. Your doctor may want to evaluate your lipid profile (blood fat) levels. Some women with PCOS have high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Elevated LDL, which is particularly bad for the heart, is a common condition.
Make Your Own Diagnosis
Give only one point for each of the following that you think you have and add up your points at the end of the test!
Part-1 (Menstrual Irregularity)
When you were taking birth control pills;
Menstruation 8 times or less in a year
Irregular menstruation lasting more than 10 days
Intermediate bleeding
Infertility (infertility) problem
Part – 2 (Skin Problems)
Acne (acne) connecting at a late age
Excessive hair growth on the body and face
Hair loss and thinning
Dark (black-brown) spots on the neck, groin and armpits
Part – 3 (Overweight and Insulin-Sugar Problems)
Overweight and difficulty maintaining weight
Sudden weight gain
Trembling between two meals, uncontrolled feeling of hunger
Diabetes
Diabetes, hypertension and heart disease in family members
Section – 4 (Other Problems)
Migraine
Depression and/or anxiety
Palpitations
High sugar and hypertension during pregnancy
Evaluation of Results
(0-4) Although there is a possibility that you have PCOS, the chances are very low!
(5-9) There is a possibility that you may have PCOS and we recommend that you consult a doctor!
(0-15) The majority of women with PCOS fall into this group.
(16-20) We advise you to consult a doctor immediately!