I have poly-cystic ovary syndrome

In brief

With poly cystic ovary syndrome make the ovaries too much male hormone.
Ovulation is irregular or stays off.
You may experience more hair and pimples.
It is more common in overweight.
can help you lose weight.
Hormones can help stimulate ovulation.
Contact your doctor if you want to become pregnant.
What is poly cystic ovary syndrome?

The ovaries of every woman not only make a lot of female hormone, but also a little bit of male hormone. That is normal.

For girls and women with the poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the ovaries produce too much male hormone.

Women with PCOS often have slightly enlarged ovaries (ovarian). This is because there cysts (a kind of vesicles) sitting in the ovaries. It is not clear how these cysts arise, but they are certainly benign.

What are the symptoms of poly cystic ovary syndrome?

In PCOS you may experience the following symptoms:

Ovulation and menstruation do not initiate or irregular. Sometimes the illness may be gone months.
It is impossible to predict whether and when (again) released an egg. Therefore it is not clear if and when you are fertile.
You can get lots of pimples (see also acne).
You are experiencing a lot of hair, sometimes on the chin, breasts or abdomen (see Excessive hair growth).
Women with PCOS often have some excess weight.

How is poly-cystic ovary syndrome?

It is unclear what the cause of poly-cystic ovary syndrome. In any case there is a disruption in the proportions of female and male hormones. There is an increased value of the LH (luteinizing hormone: the hormone that induces ovulation). It is the value of the FSH (follicle stimulating hormone: the hormone that stimulates the maturation of the follicles) is too low. The male hormone (testosterone) is often too high in women with PCO syndrome.

It is more common in girls and women who are overweight.


What can you do with the polycystic ovary syndrome?

It is difficult if you do not know when to come your ovulation and menstruation. Therefore you will not know when you are fertile. Especially if you are trying to conceive, it can be annoying.

If you do not want to become pregnant, use with sex always a contraceptive. For example you can take oral contraceptives ( "the pill"), even if you are not menstruating. A condom at the same time protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

If you are overweight, menstruation can sometimes get going when you lose weight.

Drugs in polycystic ovary syndrome

If you use oral contraceptives (the pill), you get a monthly bleeding, but this is not a natural menstruation. Birth control pills often helpful against blemishes.

If you want to become pregnant may help treatment with hormones (tablets or injections) to induce ovulation artificially and thus increase the chances of pregnancy.

What will happen with the polycystic ovary syndrome?

PCOS is no harm in itself for your health.

The probability exists that you are less fertile, and it takes longer to get pregnant. Imagine a first pregnancy so not too long if you would like to have children.

When contact with the polycystic ovary syndrome?

Contact your doctor if you want to become pregnant. Treatment can help with hormones (tablets or injections) to induce ovulation and thus artificially increase the chance of pregnancy.

The doctor can also help you if you want to lose weight and need support.