Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome - Essay Example

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome July 27, Polycystic ovary syndrome is a disorder that forms cysts on the ovaries andcauses an irregular menstrual cycle in women who are of reproductive age. While it is more common for teenagers and young adults to develop this disorder, older women are capable of developing it as well. Research has yet to yield definite causes of polycystic ovary syndrome, though it is believed that excessive androgen and insulin play roles in its development, as well as the possibility of genetics. Symptoms can range from polycystic ovaries, an irregular menstrual cycle, and acne to weight gain and excessive facial and body hair. There are currently no treatments that treat polycystic ovary syndrome as a whole, but individual symptoms are tended to based on the desires of each female. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Overview Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common medical condition in which women have an “imbalance of female sex hormones (Kovacs, 2007)” in women of reproductive age. When a teenage girl’s or woman’s ovaries produce significantly abnormal amounts of androgens, which are male sex hormones, the development and release of eggs are interfered with. With polycystic ovary syndrome, cysts - sacs filled with liquid - form instead of the eggs maturing. Then the cysts build up in the ovaries, often becoming enlarged, in lieu of an egg being released. When a teenager or woman has polycystic ovary syndrome, they often do not have a regular menstrual cycle. Causes Polycystic ovary syndrome is among many disorders that doctors have been unable to determine a sole, definite cause. However, enough research in the matter has revealed a variety of factors that may play a role in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome. One such factor is genetics, with many doctors believing that if an individual’s mother or sister has been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, then the individual risks developing the syndrome as well. Similarly, current research is being undergone to determine if a mutated gene is involved in the formation of the cysts, making polycystic ovary syndrome a genetic disorder. Another possible factor in the developing of polycystic ovary syndrome is an excess of insulin. If an individual has a resistance to insulin, which would cause an impairment in effectively utilizing insulin, then the pancreas would produce more insulin to keep sugar available for the cells. If there is too much insulin, it can cause an increase in the androgen that is produced by the ovaries. This hormone is vital to the cysts’ survival, and too much androgen will allow them to thrive. Furthermore, when white blood cells create substances to fight infection, a response occurs known as inflammation. The substances produced during inflammation can cause insulin resistance and an accumulation of cholesterol in the blood vessels, which, in turn, can cause the cysts to form and build up. A final factor that is believed to play a part in the development of polycystic ovary syndrome is abnormal fetal development. Extensive research has shown that extreme exposure to the male hormone androgen in fetal life can prevent genes from functioning normally. This is known as gene expression. With an overexposure to androgen comes a “male pattern of abdominal fat distribution, which increases the risk of insulin and inflammation (Thatcher, 2000).” Again, the role of excessive insulin is seen in relation to the development of polycystic ovary syndrome. Due to the correlation found between excessive insulin and teenagers and women with polycystic ovary syndrome, doctors have increased their research in this area. Symptoms The symptoms associated with polycystic ovary syndrome vary from female to female, which is primarily due to the fact that there is a span of approximately thirty years during which a female can develop the disorder. A woman in her forties might develop polycystic ovary syndrome, yet so can a girl who is only twelve or thirteen. While it is more common for females to develop the disorder when they first start having their periods, which is at the lower end of the age spectrum, it is not a rare occurrence for adult women to also develop the disorder. The most common symptom associated with polycystic ovary syndrome is an abnormal menstrual cycle. As the cysts do not allow eggs to mature and be released, then the lack of a dropped egg would mean shorter or longer intervals between each menstrual cycle. Individuals with polycystic ovary syndrome have had less than eight menstrual cycles in a year; have failed to have a cycle for four months or more; and have intervals that exceed thirty-five days. As irregular menstrual cycles seldom cause alarm among females, particularly those who are not sexually active, many women often go undiagnosed because they do not realize that there is a legitimate cause to their irregular cycles. Another symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome centers on the abnormally large levels of androgens, which have the ability to cause physical changes to women. Some women have experienced an increase in facial and body hair, or male-pattern baldness. However, these symptoms are among the rare cases. A more common effect of elevated levels of androgens is adult acne, severe adolescent acne, and weight gain. When a teenager or woman experiences consistent irregular periods, an increase of acne, and weight gain, they are often tested for polycystic ovary syndrome as these are among the more prevalent physical symptoms. A final symptom is the presence of polycystic ovaries. Even though the disorder deals with polycystic ovaries, these do not completely confirm a definite diagnosis of the disorder. When ovaries contain cysts, the ovaries are enlarged; the small cysts are capable of being detected via an ultrasound. If cysts are detected, and the female is also experiencing irregular or abnormal menstrual patterns or signs of an excess of androgen, then they are diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. The symptoms by themselves cannot make a diagnosis, but the symptoms together can. However, it should also be noted that not all women with cysts have polycystic ovary syndrome, and some women with the disorder do not have cysts. Treatment Unfortunately, a treatment does not exist that completely rids a woman of polycystic ovary syndrome. Until it is known how the disorder is caused, doctors have instead opted to treat individual symptoms or address the needs according to each female. If a teenager with polycystic ovary syndrome is concerned about her acne, then her doctor can prescribe medication to help reign in her acne. Should a woman be concerned about obesity or infertility, then her doctor can help to address each individual issue with medications or alterations to her lifestyle. Low dosages of birth control pills are the most common form of treating symptoms that are connected to polycystic ovary syndrome. Birth control can help get rid of acne and regulate menstrual cycles, though the pill is not given to women who are trying to become pregnant. Birth control pills lessen the amount of androgen being produced and corrects abnormal bleeding (Kandarakis & Farid, 2009). Since birth control pills can decrease the amount of androgen, it is also prescribed to women with excessive hair growth. Similarly, metformin can also be prescribed, which is an oral medication used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes. This medication not only lowers insulin levels, but can also regulate menstrual cycles. Medication is also available to help a woman with polycystic ovary syndrome ovulate. There are a variety of medications available to induce ovulation, such as clomiphene citrate, but metformin can also be used in this regard. If medication is not enough to cause a woman to ovulate, then an outpatient surgery known as laparoscopic ovarian drilling is an option. This surgery involves burning tiny holes into the surface of a woman’s ovaries to induce ovulation. References Kandarakis, E., & Farid, N. R. (2009). Diagnosis and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. New York: Springer-Verlag New York, LLC. Kovacs, G. (2007). Polycystic ovary syndrome (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Thatcher, S. S. (2000). Polycystic ovary syndrome: The hidden epidemic. Indianapolis, IN: Perspectives Press. Read More