Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
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What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a health problem that can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, fertility, hormones, insulin production, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. Women with PCOS have these characteristics:

• high levels of male hormones, also called androgens

• an irregular or no menstrual cycle

• may or may not have many small cysts in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.

PCOS is the most common hormonal reproductive problem in women of childbearing age.

How many women have Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

An estimated five to 10 percent of women of childbearing age have PCOS.

What causes Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

No one knows the exact cause of PCOS. Women with PCOS frequently have a mother or sister with PCOS. But there is not yet enough evidence to say there is a genetic link to this disorder. Many women with PCOS have a weight problem. So researchers are looking at the relationship between PCOS and the body’s ability to make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that regulates the change of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body’s use or for storage. Since some women with PCOS make too much insulin, it’s possible that the ovaries react by making too many male hormones, called androgens. This can lead to acne, excessive hair growth, weight gain, and ovulation problems.

Why do women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) have trouble with their menstrual cycle?

The ovaries are two small organs, one on each side of a woman's uterus. A woman's ovaries have follicles, which are tiny sacs filled with liquid that hold the eggs. These sacs are also called cysts. Each month about 20 eggs start to mature, but usually only one becomes dominant. As the one egg grows, the follicle accumulates fluid in it. When that egg matures, the follicle breaks open to release the egg so it can travel through the fallopian tube for fertilization. When the single egg leaves the follicle, ovulation takes place.

In women with PCOS, the ovary doesn't make all of the hormones it needs for any of the eggs to fully mature. They may start to grow and accumulate fluid. But no one egg becomes large enough. Instead, some may remain as cysts. Since no egg matures or is released, ovulation does not occur and the hormone progesterone is not made. Without progesterone, a woman’s menstrual cycle is irregular or absent. Also, the cysts produce male hormones, which continue to prevent ovulation.

What are the symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

These are some of the symptoms of PCOS:

• infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding

• infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating

• increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes

• acne, oily skin, or dandruff

• pelvic pain

• weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist

• type 2 diabetes

• high cholesterol

• high blood pressure

• male-pattern baldness or thinning hair

• patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs

• skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area

• sleep apnea―excessive snoring and breathing stops at times while asleep

What tests are used to diagnose Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

There is no single test to diagnose PCOS. Your doctor will take a medical history, perform a physical exam—possibly including an ultrasound, check your hormone levels, and measure glucose, or sugar levels, in the blood. If you are producing too many male hormones, the doctor will make sure it’s from PCOS. At the physical exam the doctor will want to evaluate the areas of increased hair growth, so try to allow the natural hair growth for a few days before the visit. During a pelvic exam, the ovaries may be enlarged or swollen by the increased number of small cysts. This can be seen more easily by vaginal ultrasound, or screening, to examine the ovaries for cysts and the endometrium. The endometrium is the lining of the uterus. The uterine lining may become thicker if there has not been a regular period.

How is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) treated?

Because there is no cure for PCOS, it needs to be managed to prevent problems. Treatments are based on the symptoms each patient is having and whether she wants to conceive or needs contraception. Below are descriptions of treatments used for PCOS.

Birth control pills. For women who don’t want to become pregnant, birth control pills can regulate menstrual cycles, reduce male hormone levels, and help to clear acne. However, the birth control pill does not cure PCOS. The menstrual cycle will become abnormal again if the pill is stopped. Women may also think about taking a pill that only has progesterone, like Provera, to regulate the menstrual cycle and prevent endometrial problems. But progesterone alone does not help reduce acne and hair growth.

Diabetes Medications. The medicine, Metformin, also called Glucophage, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes, also helps with PCOS symptoms. Metformin affects the way insulin regulates glucose and decreases the testosterone production. Abnormal hair growth will slow down and ovulation may return after a few months of use. These medications will not cause a person to become diabetic.

Fertility Medications. The main fertility problem for women with PCOS is the lack of ovulation. Even so, her husband’s sperm count should be checked and her tubes checked to make sure they are open before fertility medications are used. Clomiphene (pills) and Gonadotropins (shots) can be used to stimulate the ovary to ovulate. PCOS patients are at increased risk for multiple births when using these medications. In vitro Fertilization (IVF) is sometimes recommended to control the chance of having triplets or more. Metformin can be taken with fertility medications and helps to make PCOS women ovulate on lower doses of medication.

Medicine for increased hair growth or extra male hormones. If a woman is not trying to get pregnant there are some other medicines that may reduce hair growth. Spironolactone is a blood pressure medicine that has been shown to decrease the male hormone’s effect on hair. Propecia, a medicine taken by men for hair loss, is another medication that blocks this effect. Both of these medicines can affect the development of a male fetus and should not be taken if pregnancy is possible. Other non-medical treatments such as electrolysis or laser hair removal are effective at getting rid of hair. A woman with PCOS can also take hormonal treatment to keep new hair from growing.

Surgery. Although it is not recommended as the first course of treatment, surgery called ovarian drilling is available to induce ovulation. The doctor makes a very small incision above or below the navel, and inserts a small instrument that acts like a telescope into the abdomen. This is called laparoscopy. The doctor then punctures the ovary with a small needle carrying an electric current to destroy a small portion of the ovary. This procedure carries a risk of developing scar tissue on the ovary. This surgery can lower male hormone levels and help with ovulation. But these effects may only last a few months. This treatment doesn't help with increased hair growth and loss of scalp hair.

A healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight is another way women can help manage PCOS. Since obesity is common with PCOS, a healthy diet and physical activity help maintain a healthy weight, which will help the body lower glucose levels, use insulin more efficiently, and may help restore a normal period. Even loss of 10% of her body weight can help make a woman's cycle more regular.

How does Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affect a woman while pregnant?

There appears to be a higher rate of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced high blood pressure, and premature delivery in women with PCOS. Researchers are studying how the medicine, metformin, prevents or reduces the chances of having these problems while pregnant, in addition to looking at how the drug lowers male hormone levels and limits weight gain in women who are obese when they get pregnant.

No one yet knows if metformin is safe for pregnant women. Because the drug crosses the placenta, doctors are concerned that the baby could be affected by the drug. Research is ongoing.

Does Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) put women at risk for other conditions?

Women with PCOS can be at an increased risk for developing several other conditions. Irregular menstrual periods and the absence of ovulation cause women to produce the hormone estrogen, but not the hormone progesterone. Without progesterone, which causes the endometrium to shed each month as a menstrual period, the endometrium becomes thick, which can cause heavy bleeding or irregular bleeding. Eventually, this can lead to endometrial hyperplasia or cancer. Women with PCOS are also at higher risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Getting the symptoms under control at an earlier age may help to reduce this risk.

Does Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) change at menopause?

Researchers are looking at how male hormone levels change as women with PCOS grow older. They think that as women reach menopause, ovarian function changes and the menstrual cycle may become more normal. But even with falling male hormone levels, excessive hair growth continues, and male pattern baldness or thinning hair gets worse after menopause.

Vaginal Dryness
www.VaginalDryness.net
 
What Dads & Husbands Must Know About Vulvovaginal Health 

Especially For Dads who are "Raising Girls Without Women"

Let's face it, more and more dads, are being awarded primary and sometimes, sole-custody of their daughter(s). And, it's about time the courts recognize that dad's are just as capable, just as loving, just as nurturing, as a parent, than their ex-wives.  Many times, Dad's are even better at parenting. 

Dads with daughters need to be able to communicate with their daughters when it comes to their daughter's vulvovaginal health and feminine hygiene needs. 

While most young ladies do not have problems with vaginal dryness, vaginal odor, or feminine itching, changes in their hormones as they approach their first menstrual period, and after, can sometimes cause these problems.  

And when you are the only parent, you need to know how to help your daughter(s) with these health issues. By being informed, honest, and straight forward, you can be the trusted resource your daughter needs. And just as important, if you don't know the answer to her vulvovaginal health or feminine hygiene questions, tell her that you don't know and will find out and let her know.  

What is Vaginal Dryness?

Vaginal dryness is one of the most distressing, and painful problems a woman faces.  Vaginal dryness occurs when the natural vagina secretions decreases within the vagina. The amount of vaginal moisture varies throughout a woman's monthly menstrual cycle. Vaginal dryness is particularly problematical as a woman enters and becomes menopausal.

What is a "Vaginal Moisturizer"?

Vaginal moisturizers, provided by numerous companies, and a variety of brand names, are products designed to relieve the pain and discomfort of vaginal dryness. These products are applied or inserted, into the vagina, one or more times per day, depending on the amount of vaginal dryness she may be experiencing.

A vaginal moisturizer may or may not be a vaginal lubricant.  Vaginal lubricants are normally used as an aid for intercourse and used on a short-term basis to help a woman that is not able to produce enough vaginal moisture to permit her to comfortably (and painlessly) engage in intercourse.  

A menstruating woman's vaginal moisture changes from day to day, and varies depending upon her hormones that control the production of vaginal moisture.  A woman can experience vaginal dryness even during times of menstrual bleeding.  

What is menopause?

Menopause is a normal change in a woman's life when her period stops. That's why some people call menopause "the change of life" or "the change." During menopause a woman's body slowly produces less of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. This often happens between the ages of 45 and 55 years old. A woman has reached menopause when she has not had a period for 12 months in a row.

What is hormone therapy for menopause?

Hormone therapy for menopause has also been called hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Lower hormone levels in menopause may lead to hot flashes, vaginal dryness and thin bones. To help with these problems, women are often given estrogen or estrogen with progestin (another hormone). Like all medicines, hormone therapy has risks and benefits. Talk to your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist about hormones. If you decide to use hormones, use them at the lowest dose that helps. Also use them for the shortest time that you need them.

What are the symptoms of menopause?

Every woman's period will stop at menopause. Some women may not have any other symptoms at all. 

As women begin reaching the age of 40, their bodies are preparing for menopause, or the stopping of their monthly menstrual periods.  Menopause never happens all at once.  As young ladies approach their first period and monthly menstruation, her body's hormones are "transitioning" to producing hormones levels that will support monthly menstruation for about the the next 35 years. Similarly, as women reach their 40's, their bodies' hormone levels begin to change, and in preparation of menopause. 

Women will know they are approaching menopause, as they will notice the following symptoms:

• Changes in your period - time between periods or flow may be different.

• Hot flashes ("hot flushes") - getting warm in the face, neck and chest.

• Night sweats and sleeping problems that lead to feeling tired, stressed or tense.

• Vaginal changes - the vagina may become dry and thin, and sex may be painful.

• Thinning of your bones, which may lead to loss of height and bone breaks (osteoporosis).

Who needs treatment for symptoms of menopause?

• For some women, many of these changes will go away over time without treatment.

• Some women will choose treatment for their symptoms and to prevent bone loss. If you choose treatment, estrogen alone or estrogen with progestin (for a woman who still has her uterus or womb) can be used.

What are the benefits from using hormones for menopause?

Hormone therapy is the most effective FDA approved medicine for relief of hot flashes, night sweats or vaginal dryness.

Hormones may reduce your chances of getting thin, weak bones (osteoporosis) which break easily.

What are the risks of using hormones?

For some women, hormone therapy may increase their chances of getting blood clots, heart attacks, strokes, breast cancer, and gall bladder disease. For a woman with a uterus, estrogen increases her chance of getting endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining). Adding progestin lowers this risk.

Should I use estrogen just to prevent thin bones?

You can, but there are also other medicines and things you can do to help your bones.

Should I use hormone therapy to protect the heart or prevent strokes?

No, do not use hormone therapy to prevent heart attacks or strokes.

Should I use hormone therapy to prevent memory loss or Alzheimer's disease?

No, do not use hormone therapy to prevent memory loss or Alzheimer's disease.

Do hormones protect against aging and wrinkles or increase my sex drive?

Studies have not shown that hormone therapy prevents aging and wrinkles or increases sex drive.

How long should I use hormones for menopause?

You should talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Again, hormones should be used at the lowest dose that helps and for the shortest time. (For example, check if you still need them every 3-6 months.)

Does it make a difference what form of hormones I use for menopause?

The risks and benefits may be the same for all hormone products for menopause, such as pills, patches, vaginal creams, gels and rings.

Are herbs and other "natural" products useful in treating symptoms of menopause?

At this time, we do not know if herbs or other "natural" products are helpful or safe. Studies are being done to learn about the benefits and risks.

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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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