subject: Teens, Diabetes, And Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [print this page] Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, also known as PCOS, is one of the most frequently diagnosed endocrine problems women and young adult females run into when they reach the age of reproductivity. The problem occurs when cysts form along the outer edges of the ovaries making them enlarged. This may even cause some discomfort and other complications.
Symptoms, in most women, start soon after they first start their period. If not, then it can happen after a significant weight gain or loss that can be gradual or over time. Symptoms and signs are different in each woman, so only a doctor can properly diagnose this condition after several tests.
There are symptoms that the doctor looks for when trying to decide if you have this condition. Menstrual abnormality is one of them. If you have unusually heavy or light periods that are extremely short or very long, then this is cause enough to look into. Also, because some women are not able to ovulate, they have less periods than some women. If your menstrual cycle averages out to longer than 35 days or you have less than 8 periods in a year, then you might want to speak to your doctor.
Blood may be drawn to see if there is a abnormal amount of the male hormone androgen present. If there is, then you may be experiencing the symptoms of an imbalance of androgen. This could include abnormal body and facial hair, severe acne (adult or adolescent), or signs of male pattern balding. Signs and symptoms also depend on the ethnicity of the woman, because some women of certain backgrounds, and this includes Asian women, don't even show outward signs.
Another thing that the doctor will check for is for polycystic ovaries. This is to see if cysts have formed along the edges of your ovaries which would have caused them to become enlarged. This can be found out by ultrasound usually done as an out patient procedure in the office.
With polycystic ovary syndrome, early diagnosis and treatment is the best course of action. This condition can have consequences that can be quite serious. Infertility becomes a problem with some women because their menstrual cycles are off due to a decrease in ovulation. Almost half of the women that are diagnosed with this condition are obese. Also, with this condition, women have become resistant to insulin. Once this happens, Type 2 Diabetes becomes a very real possibility.
A definite cause for PCOS has not been found, but there have been patterns. If somebody close to you in your family has had it, for example, your sister or mother, you are more likely to be diagnosed with this condition. Over time, some people become resistant to insulin and to compensate, the body produces androgen, which can lead to this condition. Also, if for some reason you were exposed to this hormone as a fetus, you have a chance of developing this condition later in life.
Choices that you make about your exercising and dieting will influence your symptoms. You may also want to think about regulating your menstrual cycle by using a low dose birth control. There are even some other medications that your doctor may find more helpful for you. However it turns out, the symptoms can be treated as many women already know and have found out.
by: Manroop Ahitan
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