pcos





		Your Path to Healthy Living and a Healthy Life

Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome

By John Yim

This article first appeared in the Nanaimo News Bulletin

What is the most common hormonal, reproductive problem in women of childbearing age? If you answered polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), go to the head of class. You would be absolutely correct.

So, what is this condition? Let me give you a little background first.

Each month, during a woman’s menstrual cycle, follicles develop in her ovaries. Within the follicles, eggs develop. Normally one of the eggs matures faster than the others and is released into the fallopian tubes. This is known as ovulation.

In the case of PCOS, there is hormonal problem. Women with PCOS have many undeveloped follicles that appear in clumps. The main problem is that the body doesn’t produce enough hormones for an egg to fully mature and be released.

Without ovulation, no progesterone is produced. This leads to irregular or absent menstrual cycles. A woman with PCOS may also produce extra testosterone, which also may prevent ovulation.

This condition can present with a host of signs and symptom such as: irregular or absent periods, infertility, excessive facial or body hair, pelvic pain, acne, weight gain or obesity (especially around the waist), thinning hair, insulin resistance and possibly type II diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, patches of darkened skin, sleep apnea, and hormonal imbalances.

Hormones that can be out of balance include: testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, cortisol, insulin, follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin.

Even though this condition affects so many women, there is still uncertainty as to the cause of PCOS. It has been associated with genetic predisposition, high blood levels of insulin, obesity, excess testosterone, abnormal hypothalamus or pituitary regulation of the ovaries, chemical toxicity, and chronic inflammation. There are probably a number of interacting variables and no one cause.

A medical doctor would diagnose this condition by doing a thorough medical history, physical exam, blood tests for blood sugar, insulin, and hormones, and an ultrasound of the ovaries.

If you are a woman reading this article and you think you have this condition, consult your medical doctor for appropriate testing. You are not alone. Approximately, 5 – 10% of women of childbearing age have this condition.

For informational purposes only not for diagnosis. If you feel you may have PCOS please contact Dr. Yim at 250-755-1930 and arrange an appointment.