Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) frequently presents during adolescence and is the commonest cause of menstrual irregularity and hirsutism. The characteristic endocrine abnormalities include hypersecretion of androgens and LH. Metabolic dysfunction is also a feature of many young women with PCOS. Hyperinsulinaemia and insulin resistance, which can be regarded as an exaggeration of the normal metabolic changes that occur during puberty, are further amplified by obesity. It is of concern that adults with symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome who have the most unfavourable metabolic profile are those who were obese as children. The aetiology of PCOS is uncertain but there is evidence for a primary abnormality of ovarian androgen production which is manifest at puberty but may have its origins in childhood or even during fetal development.

We have recently proposed that polycystic ovary syndrome has its origin in fetal life. This hypothesis is based on data from animal models (Rhesus monkey or sheep that have been exposed prenatally to high doses of androgen) and is supported by clinical studies. It is suggested that, in human females, exposure to excess androgen, at any stage from fetal development of the ovary to the onset of puberty, leads to many of the characteristic features of PCOS, including abnormalities of LH secretion and insulin resistance. It is likely that, in humans with PCOS, the development of the PCOS phenotype results primarily from a genetic predisposition for the fetal ovary to hypersecrete androgen. At present, it is unclear whether the maternal environment directly influences the development of polycystic ovary syndrome in the offspring. Maternal androgen excess is unlikely to affect the fetus, because the placenta presents an effective barrier, but metabolic disturbances during pregnancy could affect development of the syndrome in the fetus. In postnatal life the natural history of PCOS can be further modified by factors affecting insulin secretion and/or action, most importantly, nutrition.

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There are natural health solutions for PCOS, ovarian cysts and polycystic ovaries that can help you to . . .

• Regulate your periods ...read more >
• Enhance your fertility...read more >
• Diminish risk of miscarriage ...read more >
• Relieve depression ...read more >
• Lose excess fat and gain toned muscle .. >
• Enjoy increased energy on a consistent basis ...read more >
• Clear up acne ...read more >
• Decrease unwanted hair growth ...read more >
• Normalize skin tone and texture ...read more >
• Minimize heart disease and diabetes risk ...read more >
• Lessen the need for expensive medications ...read more >
• Reduce need for ovarian surgery or hysterectomy. ...read more >

Do You Have PCOS? Your Brother May Be At Risk!

As you may know, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is partly an inherited disorder. That is, certain families have a genetic predisposition toward this disorder. Part of this predisposition is an increased likelihood of developing a condition call "insulin resistance", which is thought by some clinicians to be a primary cause of PCOS.

However, this inherited problem is NOT restricted to women and girls. In rare cases males are also affected by PCOS, according to research just released by the University of Sherbrook in Canada.

The study showed that brothers of women with polycystic ovarian syndrome also had increased insulin resistance and other metabolic problems similar to the women.

PCOS is a family affair that is not restricted to females. If you have a brother, you might have a conversation with him about the possibility that each of you has a similar health challenge.

Don't Suffer another Day with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome! Finally, there's a way to help relieve the symptoms of PCOS so you feel better! Be Rid of PCOS Forever! Click Here >

Polycystic (pah-lee-SIS-tik) ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, ability to have children, hormones, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. With PCOS, women typically have:

• high levels of androgens (AN-druh-junz). These are sometimes called male hormones, although females also make them.
• missed or irregular periods
• many small cysts (sists) in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.

About one in ten women of childbearing age has polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS. It can occur in girls as young as 11 years old. PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility (not being able to get pregnant).

How is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) treated?

Because there is no cure for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), it needs to be managed to prevent problems. Treatment goals are based on your individual symptoms, whether or not you want to become pregnant, and lowering your chances of getting heart disease and diabetes. Many women will need a combination of treatments to meet these goals. Some treatments for PCOS can include any of the following:

Birth control pills. For women who don't want to become pregnant, birth control pills can control menstrual cycles, reduce male hormone levels, and help to clear acne. However, the menstrual cycle will become abnormal again if the pill is stopped. Women may also think about taking a pill that only has progesterone, like Provera®, to control the menstrual cycle and reduce the risk of endometrial cancer. But progesterone alone does not help reduce acne and hair growth.

Diabetes medications. The medicine metformin (Glucophage®) is used to treat type 2 diabetes. It also has been found to help with PCOS symptoms, although it is not FDA-approved for this use. Metformin affects the way insulin controls blood glucose (sugar) and lowers testosterone production. Abnormal hair growth will slow down, and ovulation may return after a few months of use. Recent research has shown metformin to have other positive effects, such as decreased body mass and improved cholesterol levels. Metformin will not cause a person to become diabetic.

Fertility medications. Lack of ovulation is usually the reason for fertility problems in women with PCOS. Several medications that stimulate ovulation can help women with PCOS become pregnant. Even so, other reasons for infertility in both the woman and man should be ruled out before fertility medications are used. Also, there is an increased risk for multiple births (twins, triplets) with fertility medications. For most patients, clomiphene citrate (Clomid®, Serophene®) is the first choice therapy to stimulate ovulation. If this fails, metformin taken with clomiphene is usually tried. When metformin is taken along with fertility medications, it may help women with PCOS ovulate on lower doses of medication. Gonadotropins (goe-NAD-oh-troe-pins) also can be used to stimulate ovulation. These are given as shots. But gonadotropins are more expensive and there are greater chances of multiple births compared to clomiphene. Another option is in vitro fertilization (IVF). IVF offers the best chance of becoming pregnant in any one cycle and gives doctors better control over the chance of multiple births. But, IVF is very costly.

Medicine for increased hair growth or extra male hormones. Medicines called anti-androgens may reduce hair growth and clear acne. Spironolactone (speer-on-oh-lak-tone) (Aldactone®), first used to treat high blood pressure, has been shown to reduce the impact of male hormones on hair growth in women. Finasteride (Propecia®), a medicine taken by men for hair loss, has the same effect. Anti-androgens often are combined with oral contraceptives.

Before taking Aldactone®, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Do not breastfeed while taking this medicine. Women who may become pregnant should not handle Propecia®.

Vaniqa® cream also reduces facial hair in some women. Other treatments such as laser hair removal or electrolysis work well at getting rid of hair in some women. A woman with PCOS can also take hormonal treatment to keep new hair from growing.

Surgery. "Ovarian drilling" is a surgery that brings on ovulation. It is sometimes used when a woman does not respond to fertility medicines. The doctor makes a very small cut above or below the navel and inserts a small tool that acts like a telescope into the abdomen. This is called laparoscopy. The doctor then punctures the ovary with a small needle carrying an electric current to destroy a small portion of the ovary. This procedure carries a risk of developing scar tissue on the ovary. This surgery can lower male hormone levels and help with ovulation. But these effects may only last a few months. This treatment doesn't help with loss of scalp hair and increased hair growth on other parts of the body.

Lifestyle modification. Keeping a healthy weight by eating healthy foods and exercising is another way women can help manage PCOS. Many women with PCOS are overweight or obese. Eat fewer processed foods and foods with added sugars and more whole-grain products, fruits, vegetables, and lean meats to help lower blood sugar (glucose) levels, improve the body's use of insulin, and normalize hormone levels in your body. Even a 10 percent loss in body weight can restore a normal period and make a woman's cycle more regular.

Don't Suffer another Day with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome! Finally, there's a way to help relieve the symptoms of PCOS so you feel better! Be Rid of PCOS Forever! Click Here >