Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS), also referred to as Stein-Leventhal, is an endocrine(hormonal) disorder characterized by irregular, abnormal or absent menstruation; excessive amounts of body hair; excessive body weight and decreased fertility. Most often, symptoms first appear in adolescence, around the start of menstruation. However, some women do not develop symptoms until their early to mid-20s and even later. Although PCOS presents early in life, it persists through and beyond the reproductive years. PCOS is estimated to affect between 5% and 10% of women of reproductive age, thus making it the most common hormonal disorder among women in this age group. It affects women of all races and nationalities. No two women have exactly the same symptoms. The following characteristics are very often associated with PCOS, but not all are seen in every woman:Hirsutism (excessive hair growth on the face, chest, abdomen, etc.) Hair loss (androgenic alopecia, in a classic male baldness pattern) Acne Polycystic ovaries Obesity Infertility or reduced fertility In addition, women with PCOS appear to be at increased risk of developing the following health problems during their lives:Insulin resistance Diabetes Lipid abnormalities Cardiovascular disease Endometrial carcinoma (cancer) Because there is such variability in how PCOS presents itself, there is no universal agreement among health professionals on how to best define PCOS. What is clear, however, is that women with the disorder do not ovulate in a predictable manner and that women with PCOS also produce excessive quantities of androgens (particularly testosterone). It is important to note that polycystic ovaries are not present in all women diagnosed with PCOS. Also, many women with regular menstrual periods and normal testosterone levels have cystic ovaries.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 07:02:34 +0000
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