Polycystic ovaries. What is it?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most frequently diagnosed diseases appearing in the hormonal background. It is believed that between 5 and ten percent of women worldwide are affected by this gynecological problem.
Even though there doesn’t exist any cure for polycystic ovarian syndrome, its symptoms may be effectively managed. To the major polycystic ovaries symptoms belong:
- Rapid weight gain without obvious reasons;
- Hirsutism (male pattern hair growth);
- Irregular or absent periods;
- Loss or thinning hair on the scalp;
- Acne, oily skin;
- Inability or difficulties with getting pregnant.
Gradually, excessive weight may become the cause of high blood sugar and, consequently, diabetes. However, these are still not all probable outcomes of this diagnosis. Weight gain induced by the disease may also result in hypertension and heart disease.
You may not obligatorily have all the signs of the disease, yet having noticed even a couple of them, you’d better consult with a medical specialist. Only timely start of treatment may help to prevent further development of the disease.
Methods of dealing with polycystic ovaries
There are two possible methods of maintaining a relatively good state of health when suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome. The first one is lifestyle changes:
- Limiting fatty foods;
- Keeping to a low-calorie diet;
- Regular workouts;
Such steps can help to lower the body mass and thus improve your condition. Even 5% of lost weight may help a significant difference in your well-being.
The second method of coping with the problems caused by polycystic ovaries is a medicinal treatment of the symptoms you’ve got. Applying hormonal birth control (pills, intrauterine devices, patches, shots, vaginal rings) is one of the common treatments for this problem. It may help to stabilize the levels of hormones, normalize periods, and stop unwanted hair growth. Besides, this method may be effective for improving the condition of the skin and removing acne.
However, birth controls may not always be effective. In such cases, hormonal therapy is recommended. Yet, whatever the situation, you should stay positive and learn to live your life with PCOS.
