Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the main causes of infertility in women. It affects anywhere from five to ten per cent of women between the ages of 20 and 40, making it the most common reproductive syndrome for women of this age group. However, a further 30% of women may have some of the symptoms associated with PCOS although they won't be diagnosed with the syndrome.

What Is PCOS?

Women who suffer from PCOS have cysts (fluid-filled sacs) on their ovaries that prevent the ovaries from performing normally. PCOS affects regular reproductive functions, like the menstrual cycle, as well as fertility. Ovaries of PCOS suffers tend to be from 1.5 to 3 times larger than normal ovaries.

Although PCOS has been recognized as a syndrome for more than 75 years, no one is sure exactly what causes it. Some experts speculate that it may be hereditary but others suspect that there might be a link between PCOS and diabetes. Because so many women who have PCOS also have high insulin levels, this link does not seem unreasonable.

A connection has also been made between the seizure medication, valporate, and PCOS. This particular medication may cause or worsen the symptoms of PCOS. However, doctors are not sure if it is actually the epilepsy that affects PCOS or the valporate, but it is usually recommended to switch seizure medication if you've been diagnosed with PCOS.

PCOS Symptoms?

While cysts are the most common symptom of PCOS, some doctors will diagnose a woman with PCOS even when cysts aren't present. In these instances, the diagnosis is based on the presence of other symptoms and hormonal abnormalities.

Symptoms of PCOS include:

• Amenorrhea (cessation of period) or infrequent periods
  
• Irregular bleeding
  
• Infrequent or no ovulation
  
• Cysts on ovaries
  
• Increased levels of male hormone, like testosterone
  
• Infertility
  
• Chronic pelvic pain for six months or more
  
• Increase in weight or obesity (most women with PCOS are overweight)
  
• Diabetes; over production and inefficient use of insulin by the body
  
• Lipid abnormalities (high or low cholesterol, high triglycerides)
  
• High blood pressure
  
• Excess facial and body hair growth
  
• Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
  
• Acne, oily skin, or dandruff
  
• Dark-colored patches of thick skin on neck, groin, underarms or skin folds