PCOS: MY HEALTH AND I AS A LADY

I'll like to say, Next time when you see a fat young girl, don’t criticize!!! She might be just in need of medical Help.

Is she gaining weight rapidly?

Is she troubled by facial hair, acne or irregular menstrual periods?

Is she married, why can she just become pregnant?

She may be a Victim of PCOS!!!!!!!!

Don't be too quick to criticise or talk about people.... Speak Good things to them at least. 

You see someone and say hy are you just getting fat anyhow? and the person is just dealing with going through medications and facing health challenges and you start to say insensitive things. Or you're the monitoring spirit, checking peoples belly after marriage,  watch it. Let's watch what we say to people.

Before we dive into PCOS, let’s look into what makes menstruation regular?

The menstrual cycle is usually between 28-35days for most women. Ovulation does makes menstrual cycle regular.

What brings about ovulation ?

A normal functioning hypothalamus pituitary ovarian axis (Sorry to our none Biology students).

The hypothalamus in the brain releases Gonadotrophin releasing hormones (GnRH), this would in turn stimulate the Pituitary gland to release gonadotrophins (Follicle Stimulating Hormones and Leutinizing Hormones). Using FSH and LH for short. You know what they do?

They drive the growth of follicles thereby driving ovulation. For example, If Day 1 of the Bleeding (menstruation) starts, then the pituitary releases FSH, FSH stimulates the growth of follicles, it in turn synthesis an hormone called Estrogen.

Do you know what Estrogen does?

Estrogen is the hormone that causes the proliferation of the endometrium that has been shed off in the five days of bleeding.  LH in turns , triggers ovulation. 

Ovulation usually occurs in the middle of the  menstrual cycle, although it varies from woman to woman. The egg is then released and waiting for a sperm cell to fertilise it.

If this does not happen,  the left over then forms the corpus luteum, and this leads to the release of an hormone called progesterone  in high amounts. 

The  corpus Luteum has a life cycle of 10-12, after which it dies.  This causes , the progesterone is withdrawn and then a new cycle begins again.

Now ,let's talk about PCOS itself

What is PCOS?

PCOS is Polycycstic Ovarian Syndrome. It is also called Stein-Leventhal Syndrome (discovered by them in 1935). 

Poly Cyst  Ic = Many Cysts Pertaining to. I.e PCOS is a syndrome of many/multiple cysts in the ovary. PCOS is the most endocrinological disorder in reproductive aged women worldwide (15-44). As children seems to start  menstruation earlier. It is a multi factorial disease. It can be caused by not only one factor, It involves excess production of male sexual hormones (androgens) by the ovaries, this would then alter the Gonadotrophin levels (FSH and LH).

 There is increase surge of LH ,and thus disrupts the menstrual cycle and it may lead to infertility, excess body hair and acne.

When to say it is PCOS?

If two or three of the following criteria are present. Only one is not a cause of PCOS in itself.

1.  Polycystic Ovaries 

Presence of greater than or equal to 12 follicle. 80% of women with PCOS have classical cysts.

2. Oligo- and or Anovulation.

  Oligo-anovulation – Irregular but not completely absent.

Anovulation- No ovulation at all.

 2.  Signs of excessive male hormone.

What are the signs and symptoms in PCOS?

 This actually varies from person to person. 

 SIGNS OF OVULATORY DYSFUNCTION 

·      Amenorrhoea/Oligomenorrhea.

·      Irregular uterine bleeding. 

·      Infertility . 

 SIGNS OF ANDROGEN EXCESS

·      Hirsutism- The presence of terminal hair in a female body with a male pattern. Such as Hair on the upper lip, chest, upper back etc.

·      Acne.

·      Alopecia or Baldness.

 SIGNS OF INSULIN RESISTANCE 

·      Acanthus Nigricans- Thick pigmented skin over the nape of the neck, inner thigh and breast due to insulin resistance. 

·      Obesity. 80% of women with PCOS are obese.

Common Myths about PCOS

1.  It affects only obese women.

PCOS can affect women with healthy or low BMI as well.

2.   Just by loosing weight you can get rid of PCOS.

3. Women with PCOS cannot get pregnant.  With proper treatment, a womans chance of getting pregnant is increased.

Difference between normal hormonal imbalance and PCOS 

 A normal hormonal imbalance could be as a result of fluctuating levels of thyroid hormones or stress hormones.  But the PCOS,the major hormones involved are the LH,FSH, Estrogen, Progesterone that regulates menstrual cycle and production of male hormones from the ovaries as well. This imbalance in PCOS can lead to delayed sleep patterns, delayed or not menstrual cycle or abnormal hair growth.

The long term risks of PCOS  includes:

·      Diabetes

·      Heart diseases 

·      Hypertension 

·      Dyslipidemia

·      Endometrial Cancer 

·      Recurrent pregnancy loss

Do's and Don’t when living with PCOS.

·     Keep a watch at your carbohydrate intake. Give more importance to the quality of carbs than the quantity. 

·      Have diets rich in fibre, protein, spices such as turmeric and cinnamon, nuts such as walnuts, almonds, dark red fruits such as grapes, blackberries and cherries.

·      Make sure you exercise at least 4-5times a week.

·      Maintain a sleep pattern of 7-8 hours daily  

·      Avoid pastries  junks, fries, processed meat, margarine,  excessive red meat, sugary beverages such as soda and energy drinks.

Clinical management of PCOS 

1.         Weight reduction 

2.         Diet Modification

3.         Cessation of Smoking 

4.         Use of Drugs 

 

There is no reason to panic 

·      It is no more a difficult task to diagnose and treat PCOS.

·      Get an ultrasound done as soon as possible. 

·      Have Laboratory tests done.

·      Take simple and healthy diet 

·      Exercise.

In Conclusion, this topic helps to show the importance of health hazards in women and the serious consequence it may bring if ignored and not treated. 

 PCOS comes amongst the list of diseases that needs to be hunted and not only treated.

With awareness,  we can easily fight the disease. 

 In days to come, everyone amongst us will circulate the information and hunt this disease down at the earliest state.

Because no matter who we are, we need women to maintain the continuity of life  maybe as a mother, a sister, a friend or  wife. You know, God couldn’t be everywhere so he created women. 

It can be managed medically,  but with God it can go permanently. For women who does not want to conceive, Oral Contraceptive pills are administered.  Okay lemme say how this works For women trying to conceive,  ovulation induction drugs are given

Writer: Abioye Grace

Editor: Ngodigha Ruth