Women with polycystic ovary syndrome suffer from multiple cysts in both ovaries, have the facial and body hair of a man, and are usually obese. They are also at risk of developing resistance to insulin and even diabetes mellitus type 2. The treatment for this disorder, therefore, includes weight loss.
What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common disorder, affecting an estimated 4 to 12 percent of all women of childbearing age, according to John Schorge, M.D., Professor of Gynecologic Oncology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in "Williams Gynecology." A diagnosis of this disorder requires two of the following symptoms: multiple cysts in the ovaries; excessive levels of androgens, or male hormones; and problems with ovulation that result in menstrual irregularities.
What Causes This Disorder?
Scientists do not fully understand what causes this disease, but they suspect that it is hereditary. In "Williams Gynecology," Dr. Schorge writes about several studies demonstrating that 32 to 66 percent of women with polycystic ovarian disease have a sister with this disorder as well, and 24 to 52 percent of them have a mother with the disorder. In addition, many of their fathers and brothers have high amounts of the DHEAS male hormone in their bloodstream.
Symptoms
The symptoms usually start as a girl goes through puberty, and they progress as she ages. Many women with the disorder have hirsutism, or hair on the face and body just like a man. Many are bald on the top of their head. Their menstrual cycle is irregular and they may have thick, gray-black skin under their arms, in their genital area or around their neck. Approximately 80 percent are obese, according to H. Trent MacKay, M.D., of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at the National Naval Medical Center in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment."
Evaluation
The evaluation includes tests to determine that the problem is due to polycystic ovarian syndrome and not to some other condition or disorder, as explained in "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals" by JoAnn Pinkerton, M.D., Director of Midlife Health. Patients take a pregnancy test. Their cortisol level is checked to rule out Cushing's syndrome. The thyroid stimulating hormone level is checked to rule out hypothyroidism, while their blood pressure and glucose levels are checked for metabolic syndrome. An ultrasound of the pelvis and blood levels of female and male hormones are taken and examined.
Weight Loss
Obese women who exercise and lose weight may start to ovulate, writes Dr. MacKay in "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment." Weight loss may also reduce hirsutism and areas of thick, gray-black skin and lower blood glucose levels. The thick skin areas are called acanthosis nigricans and this symptom, along with high blood glucose levels, are signs that a patient's organs are resisting insulin. This can lead to diabetes mellitus type 2, because insulin keeps blood glucose levels within the normal range.
References
- "Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2011"; Stephen McPhee, M.D., Maxine Papadakis, M.D.; 2011
- The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- "Williams Gynecology"; John Schorge, M.D., Joseph Schaffer, M.D., Lisa Halvorson, M.D. et al.; 2008
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