The Sex Doctor: HORMONE HORROR
AN increasing number of women are being diagnosed with polycystic ovaries but few really know what it means for them. So here are some facts about this common condition.
WHAT IS IT?
EVERY month follicles develop in the ovaries. Normally one of these follicles becomes dominant over all the others and continues to grow until it releases the egg it has developing inside. This release of the egg is called ovulation.
With Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) the ovaries are stimulated to produce lots of follicles, none of which become dominant. This means that ovulation doesn't always occur and the developing follicles all produce small amounts of hormones called androgens. So you have problems with hormone balance and with ovulation.
WHO GETS IT?
PCOS is reported to affect one in 10 women but not all of them will have all the symptoms that go with the syndrome. It's not known why women develop PCOS but recent research suggests sufferers are resistant to insulin which is the hormone that controls our blood sugar. As a result, high levels of insulin build up in the blood and may be responsible for over-stimulating the ovaries.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
PCOS can cause irregular periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. The hormone imbalances cause acne and excess hair growth. Sufferers often put on weight too and find this difficult to shift.
HOW CAN IT BE TREATED?
WITHOUT knowing for sure what causes PCOS it's difficult to know how to cure it, so treatment is usually focused on helping symptoms. Periods can be regulated by taking the contraceptive pill. This can also help with acne and hair growth. Excess hair can also be tackled by waxing or laser treatment.
The weight gain can be difficult to reverse. The diabetic drug metformin may help to make the body more sensitive to insulin and so improve symptoms and make it easier to lose weight.
Fertility can be improved by drugs that help the ovaries to produce mature follicles.
Story from REDNOVA NEWS:
http://www.rednova.com/news/display/?id=161181
Published: 2005/07/03 09:00:00 CDT
© Rednova 2004
The Sex Doctor: HORMONE HORROR & PCOS 
