Approximately five to ten percent of childbearing age women suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is the most common hormonal disorder among women of childbearing age; it is one of the leading causes of infertility. In fact, research has indicated that as many as 30% of reproductive age women have some symptoms of disease.
What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition which causes many small cysts in a woman’s ovaries.
It is also known as Stein-Leventhal Syndrome, polycystic ovaries, Polyfollicular Ovarian Disease, or Polycystic Ovary Disease.
What happens is that a woman’s ovaries produce an excess of androgens, which are male hormones. This then interferes with the development and release of eggs from the ovaries.
Normally, when an egg matures, it is released by the follicle, which is the sac within the ovary that holds the eggs; in order for it to make the journey to the uterus for fertilization.
But in a woman with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, this doesn’t happen normally.
Instead, the eggs within the follicles don’t mature, or in some cases don’t mature properly. So, as the eggs are not released by the ovarian follicles, they build up and form cysts.
Since ovulation is not taking place as it should, and eggs are not being released, it is common for women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome to have irregular and/or missed periods.
What Causes Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
The exact cause of this condition is still unknown, although much research has been done, and continues to be done, in an effort to determine its causes. Because there are a number of possible causes and characteristics, it is called a syndrome rather than a disease.
Women with this condition may have ovaries with a lot of small cysts, but women without this syndrome may also have ovaries with numerous small cysts.
This has led the medical world to conclude that the cysts in the ovaries are not what cause the problems.
It is believed that a leading cause of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is insulin resistance. Due to this belief, some doctors prescribe Metformin for polycystic ovaries, which is an oral hypoglycemic medication that reduces insulin resistance.
Too much insulin signals the ovaries to release higher amounts of androgens, the male hormones that interfere with the development and release of normal eggs.
If you have been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, please be aware that many women with this condition are able to conceive normally.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi,
This is an great explanation of PCOS, and the first one I’ve read so far that doesn’t confuse me. I’m trying to find out more information about this condition for personal use so thanks a lot!
Devon,
Simple post that gets the message across. Do you have any other information on what’s good for PCOS diet?
I was just wondering what all you can do if you have this condition on how to get pregnant?
You should seek advice from your doctor if you think you have this condition. But my non-doctor advice would be to eat a diet high in fruits and vegetables and avoid high amounts of sugar (especially soda or desserts). You could try replacing your sweeteners with agave nectar as it doesn’t cause high insulin production.
As for how to get pregnant… If you are still having your period occasionally then my advice would be to get familiar with when you are most fertile and continue to try each month during the most opportune times. HormonalForecaster.com provides an advanced ovulation calculator to help you track your fertility to know when you are most fertile. I highly recommend it.
Thank you for the simple but complete description of PCOS. I will bookmark your site and share with others.
- Amy