Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, also known as PCOS, is a condition that affects women.
Approximately five per cent of women are affected by this condition.
In PCOS, a hormonal imbalance results in the development of fluid filled cysts on or around a woman's ovaries.
Women are often diagnosed with this condition in their child bearing years, but PCOS can affect teenage girls as well.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is caused by hormonal imbalances in a woman's body.
The abnormal balance of hormones involve the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, and the male hormones, called androgens.
Normally, androgens are present in females, but in small amounts.
In PCOS, women have an imbalance of the female hormones, an excess of androgen hormones and changes in other hormones.
Due to hormonal imbalances, during ovulation in a woman's menstrual cycle, eggs do not undergo maturation and instead of being released, form tiny cysts on the ovaries.
The cause of these hormonal imbalances that occur in PCOS is not fully understood.
Hormonal imbalances that lead to this condition may be the result of a a single factor or a number of factors.
PCOS can be hereditary, with the risk of developing PCOS being higher in women with a family history.
Another possible factor that may cause PCOS are high blood glucose levels.
High levels of testosterone, known as hyperandrogenism, may also lead to this condition in women.
Women who are obese or overweight are at an increased risk of developing PCOS.
Symptoms of PCOS PCOS can give rise to a range of symptoms in women with the condition.
PCOS symptoms can first appear when a woman is in her adolescent years or may arise in later in life during a woman's child bearing years.
PCOS can cause menstrual irregularities, leading to more frequent or less frequent periods, that can range from light to heavy periods.
In some cases, PCOS may cause amenorrhea, in which case a woman stops having her periods altogether.
Due to the menstrual problems the condition causes, some women may have difficulty becoming pregnant, and PCOS may lead to infertility.
Some women may experience the growth of extra body hair, on their face, and also on the abdomen, back or chest.
Women who suffer from PCOS may experience weight gain, and may find it hard to lose weight.
Other symptoms of PCOS can include skin changes including acne and skin markings, as well as thinning hair.
In some cases, it is possible for women with this condition to not experience any symptoms or problems at all.
Furthermore, women who have PCOS may have other health conditions along with PCOS, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and/or type 2 diabetes.
Also, PCOS can lead to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, uterine or breast cancer.
As can be seen, PCOS is a result of hormonal imbalances in a woman's body that can cause the formation of tiny cysts on the ovaries as well as a range of symptoms.
Women may experience symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, infertility, extra body hair, weight gain, acne,and in some cases, women may experience no symptoms despite having the condition.
Approximately five per cent of women are affected by this condition.
In PCOS, a hormonal imbalance results in the development of fluid filled cysts on or around a woman's ovaries.
Women are often diagnosed with this condition in their child bearing years, but PCOS can affect teenage girls as well.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is caused by hormonal imbalances in a woman's body.
The abnormal balance of hormones involve the female hormones estrogen and progesterone, and the male hormones, called androgens.
Normally, androgens are present in females, but in small amounts.
In PCOS, women have an imbalance of the female hormones, an excess of androgen hormones and changes in other hormones.
Due to hormonal imbalances, during ovulation in a woman's menstrual cycle, eggs do not undergo maturation and instead of being released, form tiny cysts on the ovaries.
The cause of these hormonal imbalances that occur in PCOS is not fully understood.
Hormonal imbalances that lead to this condition may be the result of a a single factor or a number of factors.
PCOS can be hereditary, with the risk of developing PCOS being higher in women with a family history.
Another possible factor that may cause PCOS are high blood glucose levels.
High levels of testosterone, known as hyperandrogenism, may also lead to this condition in women.
Women who are obese or overweight are at an increased risk of developing PCOS.
Symptoms of PCOS PCOS can give rise to a range of symptoms in women with the condition.
PCOS symptoms can first appear when a woman is in her adolescent years or may arise in later in life during a woman's child bearing years.
PCOS can cause menstrual irregularities, leading to more frequent or less frequent periods, that can range from light to heavy periods.
In some cases, PCOS may cause amenorrhea, in which case a woman stops having her periods altogether.
Due to the menstrual problems the condition causes, some women may have difficulty becoming pregnant, and PCOS may lead to infertility.
Some women may experience the growth of extra body hair, on their face, and also on the abdomen, back or chest.
Women who suffer from PCOS may experience weight gain, and may find it hard to lose weight.
Other symptoms of PCOS can include skin changes including acne and skin markings, as well as thinning hair.
In some cases, it is possible for women with this condition to not experience any symptoms or problems at all.
Furthermore, women who have PCOS may have other health conditions along with PCOS, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and/or type 2 diabetes.
Also, PCOS can lead to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, uterine or breast cancer.
As can be seen, PCOS is a result of hormonal imbalances in a woman's body that can cause the formation of tiny cysts on the ovaries as well as a range of symptoms.
Women may experience symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, infertility, extra body hair, weight gain, acne,and in some cases, women may experience no symptoms despite having the condition.
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