PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a problem with hormones that happens during the reproductive years of a woman.

Medically, it is a condition marked by infertility, enlarged ovaries, menstrual problems, high levels of male hormones(androgen), excess hair on the face and body, acne, and obesity.


With PCOS, many small sacs of fluid develop along the outer edge of the ovary. These are called cysts. The small fluid-filled cysts contain immature eggs. These are called follicles. The follicles fail to regularly release eggs.


A woman with PCOS may not have her periods very often or may have periods that last many days. 


The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but there is evidence that genetics play a role.


Symptoms of PCOS often start around the time of the first menstrual period. Sometimes, symptoms develop later after a woman has had her menstrual periods for a while.


The symptoms of PCOS vary. A diagnosis of PCOS is made when at least two of these are present;


1. IRREGULAR PERIODS: Having few menstrual periods or having periods that aren't regular are common signs of PCOS. So is having periods that last for many days or longer than is typical for a period. For example, one might have fewer than nine periods a year. And those periods may occur more than 35 days apart. 


2. HIGH LEVEL OF ANDROGEN: High levels of the male hormone androgen may result in excess facial and body hair. This is called hirsutism. Sometimes, severe acne and male-pattern baldness can happen.


3. POLYCYSTIC OVARIES: The ovaries might be bigger. Many follicles containing immature eggs may develop around the edge of the ovary. The ovaries might not work the way they should.


PCOS signs and symptoms are typically more severe in people with obesity.


Early diagnosis and treatment along with weight loss may lower the risk of long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.


Please see your doctor if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

DEADLY DIPTHERIA DISEASE

Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infection caused by the bacterium called Corynebacterium species that affects the nose, throat, and sometimes, skin of an individual.  As of Monday 23rd January 2023, The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) has confirmed 123 cases of Diphtheria disease and 38 deaths in four states which includes Kano, Lagos, Yobe, and Osun states. Diphtheria spreads easily between people through direct contact with infected people’s droplets from coughing or sneezing, and contact with contaminated clothing and objects. People most at risk include children and adults who have not received any dose of the pentavalent vaccine, people who live in areas with poor sanitation, people who live in a crowded environment, and healthcare workers exposed to suspected or confirmed cases of the disease. Early signs of diphtheria which are usually spotted between 2 to 10 days of exposure to the bacteria include fever, runny nose, sore throat, cough, red eyes (conj
Read more

FOODS TO AVOID AS A HYPERTENSIVE PATIENT

 As a hypertensive patient, it is important to be mindful of your diet and avoid certain foods that can worsen high blood pressure. Here are some foods to avoid: 1. Salt: Sodium can contribute to high blood pressure, so it is important to limit your intake of salt and salty foods such as processed meats, canned soups, and snack foods. 2. Alcohol: Drinking too much alcohol can contribute to high blood pressure, so it is important to limit your intake to moderate levels. This means no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men. 3. Caffeine: Caffeine can temporarily increase blood pressure, so it is important to limit your intake of coffee, tea, and energy drinks. 4. Sugar and sugary drinks: Consuming too much sugar and sugary drinks can contribute to weight gain and high blood pressure. It is important to limit your intake of sugary drinks such as soda, fruit juices, and sports drinks. 5. Trans and saturated fats: Trans and saturated fats can increase cholestero
Read more

HAIR LOSS

  Medically known as “Alopecia”: Hair loss can happen for different reasons. It Could be baldness or thinning of hair; sometimes, hair loss is a side effect of a health problem that needs to be addressed and could correct itself when the health problem is appropriately treated. There are some common types of Alopecia: 1. Androgenic Alopecia: It’s also known as male- or female-pattern hair loss, this is usually hereditary. 2. Alopecia Areata: This is also known as patchy baldness. According to the  American Academy of Dermatology, bald patches can show up anywhere on your body, but many people get a round or oval patch on the scalp. 3. Alopecia totalis: This is a form of alopecia areata that makes you lose all the hair on your scalp. 4. Traction Alopecia: This is caused by putting stress on hair through repeated pulling or stretching. 5. Cicatrical Alopecia:  This is a “scarring” type of alopecia. It involves inflammation that destroys hair follicles. The destroyed follicles g
Read more