Does PCO mean PCOS?

littleanne · 05-30-2008, 03:43 PM

Hello,
I'm not sure if I count as a newbie or not. I first logged onto this site 4 years ago when my GP suggested that I might have PCOS due to irregular/non-existant periods. After blood tests and an external ultrasound she concluded that I didn't have PCOS.
Then recently a different GP said that he thought I have PCOS and referred me to a consultant (I was somewhat reluctant given the results 4 years ago). The consultant said I needed to come off the pill, wait a couple of months and have blood tests and an internal ultrasound scan.
Today I had the scan today and the technician said that I have polycystic ovaries. I haven't had the blood test results yet.
Does this mean I have PCOS?
I have another appointment with the consultant in a couple of weeks. Does she need to make (or not make) the diagnosis?
Best wishes,
Anne

AprilA7 · 05-31-2008, 11:23 PM

My understanding is that you can have polycystic ovaries without having actual PCOS and you can have PCOS without having PCO. There is a long list of symptoms of pcos and if you exhibit several of them, usually it ends up that you have it. Dr's can do blood tests to check for various levels of hormones in your body which will indicate if you have PCOS. Either way though, my understanding is that the treatment of PCO is often similar to that of PCOS since the cysts often are what make the condition noticeable and worse. That's all my understanding. Someone else may know differently.

Good luck and welcome to the boards!

KatCarney · 05-31-2008, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilA7

My understanding is that you can have polycystic ovaries without having actual PCOS and you can have PCOS without having PCO.

This is correct. The two situations are not necessarily related at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AprilA7

Either way though, my understanding is that the treatment of PCO is often similar to that of PCOS since the cysts often are what make the condition noticeable and worse.

Not too sure about that part.

In fact, you can have PCOS without having cysts. Technically, the presence or absence of cysts isn't really part of the diagnosis. They're really more of a 'symptom' that some women have.

There are many types of ovarian cysts, and the treatments vary.

Generally speaking, the cysts from PCOS (in women who present with the classic 'string of pearls') are from chronic annovulation.

AprilA7 · 06-01-2008, 12:08 AM

I wasn't thinking with the second part... I meant the treatment of ovarian cysts on pcos and non-pcos women can often be similar... But I guess I'm wrong there... What Kat said makes perfect sense.

littleanne · 06-01-2008, 06:20 PM

Thank you both very much for your posts. I will get my blood test results in a couple of weeks when I go to see the consultant. I've only had 2 periods in the last 4 years so it sounds likely that the cysts are from annovulation :-( The technician also said that they were in a specific pattern.
I'm interested to see what my homone levels are. I guess I can wait another couple of week.

KatCarney · 06-01-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littleanne

The technician also said that they were in a specific pattern.

S/he might have been referring to the 'string of pearls' patterning that is present in some women with pcos.

Ultrasound picture of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (Stein-Leventhal Ovaries). Both the right and left ovaries show numerous cysts arranged around the periphery of the ovaries producing the "string-of-pearls" sign..
http://www.learningradiology.com/cas...006/cow190.jpg

Diagnosing PCOS
Source: http://www.pregnancy-info.net/infertility_PCOS.html

PCOS is one of the most under-diagnosed reproductive syndromes in women. Because the symptoms often seem unrelated to each other, doctors may try to treat each problem individually rather than evaluating them together. However, during a pelvic exam, your doctor will be able to feel any cysts that might be on your ovaries. Once these have been identified, a vaginal ultrasound will be performed to help the doctor get a better view of the cysts. PCOS cysts are often referred to as a "string of pearls" because of their resemblance to a pearl necklace. Next, a blood test may be ordered to evaluate your hormone levels as well as your insulin and glucose levels. Tests may also be ordered to measure your cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Unfortunately, there is no standard criterion for diagnosing PCOS. Some doctors may give a diagnosis once a woman shows a minimum of three PCOS symptoms while others may use exclusion of other problems to narrow it down to PCOS. Regardless, it is important to receive a proper diagnosis in order to receive treatment. Left untreated, PCOS can lead to many health problems including endometrial hyperplasia (excess growth of the endometrial lining), endometrial cancer, Type II diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease.

PCOS Treatment
Traditionally, doctors have only been able to treat the symptoms of PCOS. Since the cause of PCOS is unknown, there is currently no cure. The birth control pill is often prescribed to help regulate the menstrual cycle as well as reduce the levels of hormones and minimize the appearance of acne. Other medications can also be prescribed to help with blood pressure, cholesterol, hormone levels or cosmetic problems.

Because so many women with PCOS have high insulin levels or their body does not use insulin efficiently, insulin medications are also commonly prescribed. Normalizing insulin levels has been found helpful in regulating periods and promoting ovulation. Women who prefer a more natural way of easing the symptoms of PCOS are frequently recommended to do so through diet and exercise. Maintaining a healthy weight has been shown to help insulin and glucose levels as well as promote fertility. Since PCOS can worsen over the years (although it should improve as you approach menopause), living a healthy lifestyle is one of the best ways to protect yourself.