Polycystic ovary syndrome

Other research suggests that no single race or ethnic group is at higher risk of developing PCOS than any other. However, factors like access to health care, other risk factors for cardiovascular and metabolic problems, and obesity may affect some populations more than others, which could complicate PCOS diagnosis and management. Between 20% and 40% of individuals with PCOS also have a mother or sister with the condition. It's unclear whether this link is due to genetic variations or if individuals who are related share similar lifestyle factors. Screening and Early Detection Many people don't know they have PCOS until they start trying to • Wekker V, van Dammen L, Koning A, et al. Hum Reprod Update. 2020;26(6):942-960. doi:10.1093/humupd/dmaa029 • Williams T, Mortada R, Porter S. Am Fam Physician. 2016;94(2):106-113. • MedlinePlus. • Centers for Disease Control. • Wolf WM, Wattick RA, Kinkade ON, Olfert MD. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2018;15(11):2589. doi:10.3390/ijerph15112589 • Okoroh E.M., Hooper W.C., Atrash H.K., Yusuf H.R., Boulet S.L. Obstet. Gynecol. 2012;207:299.e1–299.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2012.07.023

Both conditions cause menstrual problems, which can lead to heavy bleeding. They can also make it difficult to get pregnant. The other symptoms are different, however. They also involve different hormonal issues. Endometriosis is linked to excess estrogen, a female hormone. PCOS is caused by excess androgens, or male hormones. It’s also possible to have both conditions at the same time. In turn, the conditions cause different symptoms and require different treatments. Let’s explore the difference between endometriosis vs. PCOS. Let’s go over the two conditions in a little more detail. Endometriosis The tissue that lines your uterus is called the endometrium. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the endometrium grows in other parts of the body. The condition is associated with high levels of estradiol, a type of estrogen. Estradiol is responsible for uterine tissue growth. Endometriosis typically affects reproductive organs, such as: • outside of the uterus • • • uterosacral ligaments • peritoneum • anywhere between the bladder, uterus, and vagina It may also affect areas outside the pelvic cavity, including the: • large and small intestines • • • lungs • rectum The tissue may thicken and bleed during your PCOS PCOS is a hormonal disorder that affects your ovaries. The primary characteristics of PCOS include: • irregular or no periods • high levels of androgens • If you have PCOS, you’ll likely have at least two of the above conditions. It’s possible to have PCOS wit...

• • A hormone disorder that can cause infertility, ovarian cysts, and other health problems • • Symptoms include menstrual irregularities, excessive body hair, acne, and fertility problems • • Treatment includes weight loss, hormonal and other medication types • • Involves Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility and Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences PCOS is an umbrella term used to describe a collection of symptoms associated with certain classic hormone imbalances. Experts estimate that 5 to 10 percent of women ages 18 to 44 have PCOS. The syndrome is usually detected in women between ages 20 and 30, but the earliest signs can be evident in younger girls including those who have not yet started menstruation. Menstrual irregularities (infrequent and irregular periods), excessive facial and bodily hair growth, acne and fertility problems are common symptoms of PCOS. Thinning of hair is another symptom experienced by some women with PCOS. Approximately 50 percent of women in the U.S. with PCOS are obese. PCOS also puts women at a higher risk for The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but many women with the syndrome also have a mother or sister with it. And because women with PCOS are often overweight, researchers are studying the relationship between PCOS and the body's production of excess insulin, which can lead to symptoms associated with PCOS. Weight loss alone can improve many of the common symptoms (such as irregular menses, acne) of PCOS. While there is no...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone disorder defined by a group of signs and symptoms. PCOS affects 7–10% of women of childbearing age and is the most common cause of infertility. In the United States, an estimated 5 to 6 million women have PCOS. PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age, but many women don’t know they have it. Endocrine Connection The exact causes of PCOS are unknown. It is thought that there are many potential causes and these may be different between individual girls or women. PCOS seems to be inherited. Female relatives or children of patients with PCOS are at increased risk for having PCOS. Environmental risk factors —including low birth weight, rapid weight gain in infancy, early pubic hair and —are also important and may interact with genes to lead to PCOS. Diagnosis and Prevention Along with irregular periods, the first signs of PCOS may be the growth of facial and male-patterned body hair (from KM: male-patterned body hair is not a term we typically use), acne, thinning scalp hair, and weight gain. Weight gain, however, is not always present. Normal-weight women can also have PCOS. In addition to assessing signs and symptoms of PCOS, medical providers take a medical history, perform a physical exam, and check blood hormone levels (including testosterone). They may also perform an ovarian ultrasound. Other tests looking for complication of PCOS may also be done, such as glucose tolerance test or a mental he...

Since puberty, you’ve had to deal with the ebb and flow of your hormones. And when things are in balance, you generally feel good. Problems arise, though, when these hormones are imbalanced. One possible result: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a metabolic and hormonal disorder that affects about 10 percent of women. ( You’d think that with a name like PCOS, the condition would mean that women have cysts on their ovaries, but that’s not always the case. In fact, to be • Androgen Excess This appears as hirsutism, which is when dark, coarse hair grows in unwanted places on the face and body; severe acne; and male-pattern hair loss. • Ovulatory Dysfunction This the clinical name for • Polycystic Ovaries Not every woman has cysts, but some women do. They are found on an Unfortunately, about half of women who have PCOS have no idea. (1) Below are common symptoms of PCOS. Keep in mind that not all women have every symptom. If you’re experiencing any of the below, talk to your doctor, and ask about the possibility of PCOS: • Irregular Periods Because of a lack of • Infertility PCOS can impair the ovaries’ ability to develop and release eggs. (3) A woman may not even realize she has PCOS until she’s tried to • Hirsutism, Hair Loss, and Acne Excess hair growth on the face and body, male-pattern hair loss on the head, and acne may be some outward signs that tell doctors a patient has high androgen levels and she may have PCOS. (3) • Weight Gain Half of women with PCOS gain ...

If you have oily The condition has many symptoms, and you may not have all of them. It’s pretty common for it to take women a while -- even years -- to find out they have this condition. Common Symptoms of PCOS Common signs and symptoms of PCOS are: • • • • Darkening of skin. You may see thick, dark, velvety patches of skin under your arms or breasts, on the back of your neck, and in your • Problems sleeping or feeling • • • • Trouble • When to See a Doctor If you have any of these symptoms, let your doctor know. There are treatments or lifestyle changes you can try to rule out other health conditions and learn if you have PCOS. The sooner you get started, the sooner you can start feeling better. SOURCES: Women’s Health.gov: “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.” PCOS Awareness Association: “PCOS.” Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development: “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.” Center for Young Women’s Health: “PCOS: General Information.” American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: “Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.”