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Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (Polycystic Ovary Disease): Frequently Asked Questions

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

PCOS refers to a condition in which hormones (androgens/estrogen) are overproduced by the ovaries. In this condition, ovulation occurs sporadically. The excess and not well organized hormones can cause a lack of a menstrual cycle, excess hair growth, obesity, acne, and insulin resistance. As a result, women with PCOS are at a high risk of developing diabetes. As more and more research is being done on PCOS, more associations with other illnesses are being found. ...
PCOS is a health problem that can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, fertility, hormones, insulin production, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. Women with PCOS have these characteristics: * high levels of male hormones, also called androgens * an irregular or no menstrual cycle * may or may not have many small cysts in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs. PCOS is the most common hormonal reproductive problem in women of childbearing age.

What is polycystic ovarian syndrome?

PCOS is a condition that has 2 or more of the following features – irregular cycles, problems with acne or hair growth in a male pattern or elevated male hormones in the blood and ovaries that have lots of potential eggs most commonly arranged around the outside edge of the ovary. We do not know why women develop PCOS but it does appear that the underlying problem in the condition may be how the body handles insulin. ...
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a syndrome which affects 10-15 % of the women. These women are generally obese, have menstrual irregularities, are infertile, have excessive facial hair and have acne. Their ovaries have a typical picture on sonography.

What About Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

There have been some studies that suggest that reducing insulin may help treat the symptoms of polycystic ovaries (PCO), also known as polycystic ovarian syndrome. Since a low-carbohydrate way of eating is designed to reduce insulin levels, it may also help PCO symptoms. Some women, who have been unable to regularly menstruate due to PCOs have found that regular menstrual cycles return when they follow a low-carbohydrate diet. Others have reported a reduction in PCO related acne and facial hair growth.
Source: www.rtfm.com

What is the cause of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome ?

The exact cause of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is as yet not known. It is thought to be genetic in origin. Of course not all women with abnormal genes are affected. What triggers the syndrome in some of these women with the abnormal gene is the increase in weight. Increase in weight or obesity associated with some hormonal imbalance has been found to be the cause of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.

Can natural progesterone help Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

John Lee recommends using natural progesterone to treat PCOS as it suppresses the luteinizing hormone and therefore ovarian cysts are not stimulated. He states that in many women, cysts may then shrink with the passage of several menstrual cycles.

Can you explain the differences between POF and Polycystic ovarian syndrome?

POF and PCO are very different. In the classic case of ovarian failure, there are no eggs in the ovary. In PCO ovulation does not occur regularly but the number of eggs in the ovary is normal. Both may be associated with the absence of menses. There is an excellent discussion of PCO in the Merck Manual-Home Edition (written by me) and which I can not improve upon. It is brief. POF is effectively premature menopause though in some cases the etiology may be autoimmune and some eggs may still be present in the ovaries. ...
If you had polycystic Ovary Syndrome, your FSH level would be normal or low. Along with this problem, there is often (but not always) obesity and excess hair growth somewhere on the body. If you are overweight and had abnormal cycles, you might have been inappropriately been given this diagnosis. Women with polycystic ovary syndrome tend to have elevated levels of testosterone in their bodies, not nearly as much as men but more than most women do. ...

How do you make the diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

In order for your doctor to make the diagnosis of PCOS he/she will have to obtain a detailed medical and gynecological history. In addition, your physician will need to perform a physical examination, which will include blood testing and in some cases an ultrasound. ...
In order for your doctor to make the diagnosis of PCOS he/she will have to obtain a detailed medical and gynecological history. In addition, your physician will need to perform a physical examination, which will include blood testing and in some cases an ultrasound. ...

Why do some people call it polycystic ovarian disease and others call it polycystic ovarian syndrome?

The terms polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) are commonly used interchangeably. We prefer to use the term polycystic ovary syndrome because it more accurately reflects the complex signs, symptoms and nature of this condition, namely that of a syndrome. Syndrome is the favored term because it alludes to the varied signs and symptoms but does not imply a precise cause of the condition, as for PCOS the exact cause has yet to be determined. ...

Will the Insulite System help with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)?

Yes. One of the causes of PCOS is excess levels of insulin. The Insulite System will reduce your body’s exposure to insulin and this can reduce the recurrence of cysts on your ovaries. Also, the Nutritional and Exercise Guidelines show you ways to change your lifestyle so that you permanently change your body’s response to insulin. This will help you reverse PCOS.

What are the symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

These are some of the symptoms of PCOS: * infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding * infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating * increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes * acne, oily skin, or dandruff * pelvic pain * weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist * type 2 diabetes * high cholesterol * high blood pressure * male-pattern baldness or thinning hair * patches of thickened and dark brown or ... ...

What causes Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

No one knows the exact cause of PCOS. Women with PCOS frequently have a mother or sister with PCOS. But there is not yet enough evidence to say there is a genetic link to this disorder. Many women with PCOS have a weight problem. So researchers are looking at the relationship between PCOS and the body’s ability to make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the change of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body’s use or for storage. ...

Can You Tell Me Something About Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

PCOS refers to a condition in which hormones (androgens/estrogen) are overproduced by the ovaries. The excess hormones can cause a lack of a menstrual cycle, excess hair growth, obesity, acne, and insulin resistance. As a result, women with PCOS are at a high risk of developing diabetes. As more and more research is being done on PCOS, more associations with other illnesses are being found. ...

Why do some people call it Polycystic Ovarian Disease, others call it Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and still others call it the Stein-Leventhal Syndrome?

The terms Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) are commonly used interchangeably. We prefer to use the term Polycystic Ovary Syndrome because it more accurately reflects the complex signs, symptoms, and nature of this condition, namely that of a "syndrome". Syndrome is the favored term because it alludes to the varied signs and symptoms but does not imply a precise cause of the condition, as for PCOS the exact cause has yet to be determined. ...
Source: 3ddweb.net

Is it possible for a woman diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome to become pregnant? If so, is there a general timeline from the beginning of treatment to conception?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition associated with anovulation and was first described in 1935 by Drs. Stein and Leventhal. Thus, the condition is also known as Stein Leventhal Syndrome. As originally described, the condition was associated with decreased menstrual flow, hirsutism, and obesity. However, we now know that the condition is much more complex than originally described. The cause or the event that precipitates the problem is unknown. ...

What tests are used to diagnose Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

There is no single test to diagnose PCOS. Your doctor will take a medical history, perform a physical exam—possibly including an ultrasound, check your hormone levels, and measure glucose, or sugar levels, in the blood. If you are producing too many male hormones, the doctor will make sure it’s from PCOS. At the physical exam the doctor will want to evaluate the areas of increased hair growth, so try to allow the natural hair growth for a few days before the visit. ...

How does Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affect a woman while pregnant?

There appears to be a higher rate of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, and premature delivery in women with PCOS. Researchers are studying how the medicine, metformin, prevents or reduces the chances of having these problems while pregnant, in addition to looking at how the drug lowers male hormone levels and limits weight gain in women who are obese when they get pregnant. No one yet knows if metformin is safe for pregnant women. ...

Does Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) put women at risk for other conditions?

Women with PCOS can be at an increased risk for developing several other conditions. Irregular menstrual periods and the absence of ovulation cause women to produce the hormone estrogen, but not the hormone progesterone. Without progesterone, which causes the endometrium to shed each month as a menstrual period, the endometrium becomes thick, which can cause heavy bleeding or irregular bleeding. Eventually, this can lead to endometrial hyperplasia or cancer. ...

Do you have any recommendations for women suffering from PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)?

In a nutshell, the recommended strategies for tackling PCOS include: Exercise -- increases insulin sensitivity and fights insulin resistance, which is a root cause of PCOS. Avoiding specific foods and eating habits that rapidly elevate blood glucose levels -- which means following a low-glycemic index diet to control blood sugar levels. Often patients with PCOS also have problems with insulin resistance. ...

Will Fertile XX and Fertile XY help even if I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome ( PCOS) ?

Fertile XX is a very effective herbal tonic for the female reproductive system and is particularly useful for restoring a healthy menstrual cycle and for regulating hormonal imbalance which is often associated with PCOS as well as difficulties in becoming pregnant.

I have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Will electrolysis help me?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a relatively common condition in women, affecting about one in ten according to the womenshealth.gov website . Electrolysis can be effective in reducing the hair.

Why do women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) have trouble with their menstrual cycle?

Normal Ovary and Polycystic OvaryThe ovaries are two small organs, one on each side of a woman's uterus. A woman's ovaries have follicles, which are tiny sacs filled with liquid that hold the eggs. These sacs are also called cysts. Each month about 20 eggs start to mature, but usually only one becomes dominant. As the one egg grows, the follicle accumulates fluid in it. When that egg matures, the follicle breaks open to release the egg so it can travel through the fallopian tube for fertilization. ...

I was just diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. What is this and can I still conceive?

It is estimated that 6-10% of woman have this affliction. PCOS can be treated, however it cannot be cured. The symptoms include irregular or absent menses, numerous cysts on the ovaries in many, but not all, cases, High blood pressure, Acne, Elevated insulin levels, Insulin Resistance, or Diabetes, Infertility, Excess hair on the face and body, Thinning of the scalp hair (alopecia), Weight Problems or obesity that is centered around your midsection. ...

I have been diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Should I have acupuncture on the day of transfer and/or during my IVF cycle?

A Once you reach the day of embryo transfer your situation is no different from any other IVF patient’s, so in order to increase chance of successful embryo implantation acupuncture is advised. During the stimulation phase of IVF you may be slightly more at risk of ovarian hyperstimulation. Some women with PCOS produce many eggs but this does not necessarily translate into many viable embryos. ...
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