Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, PCOS, condition occurs when your ovaries, sometimes with the help of the adrenal glands, over produces androgen hormones. This hormone promotes the development and maintenance of male sex characteristics.
When a high level of androgen is present in your ovaries, it interferes with egg development and its release during ovulation. And the “empty un-ovulated” fluid-filled sac, that normally carries an egg down the fallopian tube and into the uterus for fertilization, is left there, with a budding ability to develop into a cyst on your ovary.
PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility since the important “baby-making” egg is not produced nor transported.
In addition, women with PCOS may experience menstrual irregularities:
- amenorrhea
- oligomenorrhea
Beyond infertility, PCOS condition may cause:
- hirsutism
- pelvic pain
- baldness or thinning hair
- thick patches of dark skin
- acne, oily skin, dandruff
Obese women have a higher risk for PCOS. And women who have PCOS are at a higher risk for:
No cure for PCOS, but symptoms can be managed. There are medications (i.e. metformin) to regulate menstruation, reduce androgen levels, clear acne, reduce undesirable hair growth, control blood pressure and cholesterol.
Weight loss and regular exercise are two very crucial lifestyle changes you can make if you are experiencing polycystic ovarian syndrome and are overweight. The benefits of this “feel good opportunity” include:
- insulin regulation
- blood sugar level reduction
- even escape symptoms all together
- abating associated health conditions
- reduce severity PCOS causing symptoms
Please don’t wallow in the thought of your infertility ~ get up and get moving in the direction of making a baby. Step away from the table and into the gym!
