The Mysteries of PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome, often abbreviated to PCOS, is a complex androgen disorder affecting about 5% of women worldwide. While symptoms and severity vary greatly from woman to woman, the same general set of characteristics is apparent in all cases: obesity, lack of ovulation (leading to irregular periods and repeated pregnancy test failure), and excessively masculine hormones.
The causes of PCOS are as yet unknown. Modern medical science has determined many similar treatments and symptoms between PCOS and insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a bit of a misnomer, as it is not caused by cysts but by stunted follicular growth along the fallopian tubes. In a healthy woman, the growth of these follicles is encouraged by estrogen. One follicle becomes dominant, and grows to sixteen millimetres or larger. The follicle then bursts, releasing an egg, which settles along the fallopian tubes waiting to be fertilised.
In women with PCOS, none of these follicles grow larger than five to seven millimetres in size. They go through what is called "follicular arrest". Because of this, no eggs are released; menstrual periods slow or stop entirely; and it becomes impossible to get pregnant.
This is particularly tragic when you consider that, due to the presenting symptom of late or absent periods, many women come to their doctor thinking they may be pregnant when in fact they are experiencing a symptom of PCOS. As a pregnancy test taken at home can only detect hormones produced by a growing embryo, a woman with a perpetually absent period might assume the negative pregnancy test is wrong, or that each pregnancy test she's taken has been flawed somehow. The doctor can provide a more accurate pregnancy test and may be able to explain what's happening, so logically she would think to visit the doctor. Unfortunately, the pregnancy test there will come back negative as well, and her doctor may begin to inquire about her family history in regards to obesity, diabetes, and PCOS.
Infertility in PCOS
As infertility is a primary cause of anxiety and depression among PCOS sufferers, it is typically the aspect of the syndrome that most patients and doctors focus on curing. Treatments for diabetes and weight loss are often effective at achieving this goal through medication and lifestyle changes. Regular exercise and a healthy diet can help restore the ovulatory process, bringing back regular menses and making it possible for these women to one day get a positive result on a pregnancy test.
Of all the diseases contributing to or causing infertility, this has got to be one of the simplest to treat. Weight loss is not easy, but considering that a lifestyle change can be the cure in this case is amazing. This may give some women hope that their initial use of a pregnancy test was not entirely in vain, and that a future pregnancy test will bring them the joyous news of an upcoming bundle of joy.
A Warning to All Women
The existence of this syndrome should remind us all to pay close attention to what our bodies need. It's shocking to consider that a woman's body can simply stop itself from being fertile if some unknown obesity or insulin-sensitive barrier is crossed. Sticking to a healthy diet and getting regular physical activity should help lower the rate at which this disease is growing.
Also, this should serve as an alert to women who suspect, when their period is delayed, that they must be pregnant. Using a pregnancy test to determine why your period may be late is not the safest nor the smartest method. If you have had absent or intermittent periods, put down the pregnancy test and go straight to your doctor! A pregnancy test can't detect this disease, and periods are a normal and expected part of adult life as a woman. Get professional medical advice as soon as possible if you are overweight, developing hair on your face or chest, and no longer experiencing regular periods.
