what is polycystic ovaries (PCOS) ?

Question

what is polycystic ovaries (PCOS) and how does one know she has this?

Answer 1

Hey- Here's an EXCELLENT study on PCOS from a fertility group in Indianapolis.

http://jarrettfertility.com/PCOS%20patient%20handout.pdf


I was JUST diagnosed. My previous doctor though that I "may" have it...but didn't seem to know a lot. He told me not to take Metformin unless I have to since it's a "hard" drug to take. I happened to ovulate and get pregnant last April and due to PCOS I miscarried.

I recently moved and saw a new doctor. He looked at my blood tests (the ratio of FSH and LH...and my history and told me I had it. I'm thin and athletic and he told me about that group of people that have it as well. I have absolutely no other symptoms other than the extremely irregular ovulation/ periods. The day after I started Metformin I ovulated. Two weeks later, I had a positive pregnancy test. This was last week and my doctor is very reassuring and said that Metformin also helps reduce the risk of miscarriage.

So in reference to your question....they'll need to run blood tests, go through your history, and possibly a scan of your ovaries (although they never did that for me)

(I've had hardly any problems taking Metformin....
Some people have those symptoms...many others do not!) You cerainly don't have to have all those symtoms to have PCOS...I'm a walking example!

Check out the site! It's by far the best one I've seen out there.

Answer 2

I have pcos and to tell you the truth it isn't the best think to have when wanting to start a family, I have been ttc#1 for 4 years and not being able to because of pcos.

Pcos is a diease that interferes with the hormones and send them out of wack, causing the male hormone to be more higher then the female hormones in ladies body, most ladies doesn't no they have pcos until after trying to conceive without any luck.

Signs of pcos can be, male pattern baldness, unwanted facial hair, infertility, obesity, ireguler periods, no periods at all, skin tags, and fat in the mid section etc.

Pcos can not be cure but it can be treated, as for some ladies who are ttc, there would be given a fertility pill call clomid to induce ovulation because they don't ovulate on their owns because their eggs doesn't gets mature, instead of it getting mature it stays a peas size and never gets realease from the ovaries, most ladies with pcos have many cycst on the ovaries that can be detected by a transvirgina ultra sound.


I am currently taking metformin and clomid praying it work this cycle, I've heard alot of success stories with these two pill

Answer 3

PCOS is a lot more than cysts. It involves several hormone abnormalities as well.

"What is polycystic ovarian syndrome?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also known by the name Stein–Leventhal syndrome, is a hormonal problem that causes women to have a variety of symptoms.


What are the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?

The symptoms of PCOS include:

Irregular or no menstrual periods
Acne
Obesity, and
Excess hair growth
Other signs and symptoms of PCOS include:

weight gain,
acne,
oily skin,
dandruff,
infertility,
skin discolorations,
high cholesterol levels,
elevated blood pressure, and
abnormal hair growth and distribution.
Any of the above symptoms and signs may be absent in PCOS, with the exception of irregular or no menstrual periods. All women with PCOS will have irregular or no menstrual periods. Women who have PCOS do not regularly ovulate; that is, they do not release an egg every month. This is why they do not have regular periods. "

http://www.medicinenet.com/polycystic_ovary/article.htm

Answer 4

I had a lot of trouble getting pregnant for one thing. The syndrome or disease was also responsible for a nasty miscarriage I had as well. You are at a higher risk for miscarriage than most. Once pregnant you will need to closely watch your sugar levels and you may have to go on insulin just during pregnancy. It does make getting pregnant more challenging. I have 3 sons. But they are 8 and 7 years apart in age because of the problems I had getting pregnant. My oldest is 17 on the 28 and my youngest is 15 months old. I didn't want my kids so far apart in age either. The youngest was a surprise because after the birth of my second son we tried for 4 years to have another. Then I was told I would not conceive on my own again without fertility drugs. So we didn't do that of coarse. But, without warning or a hint shortly after my hubby turned 40 we found out this little guy was on the way. I had to take insulin the whole pregnancy which was no big deal. You also have a higher risk of having premature birth as well. My 2 youngest sons were 5 weeks, and 2 weeks early. You have to have patience through the process and not give up hope. Good luck!

Answer 5

this is when you are not ovulating for some reason. it causes the regular follicles (functional cysts that house and develop the eggs) to stay around instead of being re-absorbed into your ovary after ovulation. these create numerous small cysts that make your ovaries enlarge. usually you can tell if you have this if your period is abnormal or absent.

also, after your are diagnosed, your doctor will most likely do an ultrasound to view your ovaries. then you will be able to see the multiple cysts that are inside them.