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Early diagnosis-key to treating PCOS—doctor

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By Abraham Adekunle

A consultant gynecologist said this will reduce risk of long-term complications.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which is classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as group II ovulation disorder, is one of the most common health problems in women of reproductive age. It is a condition in which the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens, which are male sex hormones that are usually present in women in small amounts. Its nomenclature describes the numerous small cysts (fluid-filled sacs) that form in the ovaries. Some women develop cysts while others do not.

A consultant gynecologist, Dr. Abayomi Ajayi, said that accompanied by chronic anovulation, early diagnosis and treatment alongside weight loss may reduce the risk of long-term complications of PCOS. Ovulation occurs when a mature egg is released from an ovary. This happens so it can be fertilized by a male sperm. If the egg is not fertilized, it is sent out of the body during a women’s period. Anovulation happens when an egg (ovum) does not release from the ovary during a menstrual cycle.

Women with polycystic ovaries risk cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes.

Dr. Ajayi is the Managing Director of Nordica Fertility Centre. He said this at a webinar with the theme, “How To Tackle Infertility In 2023 Is Also Good.” He stressed that for a diagnosis of PCOS, history of irregular menstruation and other clinical examinations are required to ascertain a woman has PCOS. He also added that women with this disorder are at the risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity and diabetes. The disorder cannot be cured but can be managed. The management includes watching one’s weight.

For a woman with such a condition to become pregnant, she has to be checked. An egg, which is the product of ovulation, is needed to have a pregnancy. Because such a woman does not ovulate, the medical experts will induce her ovulation using birth control pills to balance estrogen and testosterone levels before beginning fertility treatment. Doctors may also prescribe fertility medications to jumpstart the ovaries to send out more eggs. The woman may also require In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) treatment to help her get pregnant.

PCOS is characterized by irregular period, infertility and excess hair growth.

About ten percent of the women with high levels of a form of testosterone known as “free testosterone” are battling PCOS. The disorder’s symptoms include: irregular or absent menstrual periods, infertility, blood sugar disorders, acne or oily skin, and excess body hair (including the chest, stomach, and back), weight gain, ovaries with cysts, male-pattern baldness or thinning hair, among others. Most women with PCOS are also overweight or obese, though a small percentage have a normal body weight.

The consultant said that if this left untreated, high levels of androgens, whether a woman has PCOS or not, are associated with serious health consequences, such as resistance to insulin, diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure (HBP), and heart disease. However, research has shown that women with PCOS have a high success rate of getting pregnant with IVF treatment. According to reports, the success rate of IVF in women with PCOS is pegged at about 70 percent. This is excellent for women battling infertility issues.

STDs are also major causes of infertility, especially when poorly treated.

Dr. Ajayi commented that sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are one of the major causes of infertility particularly when they are not treated well. He advised that no form of STD should be treated at random. Instead, a culture test should be taken before empirical treatment. According to him, STDs can directly or indirectly cause infertility in both women and men. If left untreated, infections can develop and cause infertility by moving up the reproductive system and spreading to the woman’s uterus, ovaries and fallopian tubes causing damage, scarring or inflammation.


Related Links

Johns Hopkins Medicine: Website  PFCLA: Website


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10 months ago

Early diagnosis-key to treating PCOS—doctorA consultant gynecologist said this will reduce risk of long-term complications. – Express your point of view.

Last edited 10 months ago by Kenny Adetunji
Abusi
Abusi
Member
10 months ago

This polycetic ovary syndrome is really a serious disease. We should help our women by enlightening them about the dangers of this disease. It will help save lives of women more.

Iyanu12345ogg
Iyanu12345ogg
Member
10 months ago

It is quite unfortunate the disorder cannot be cured but can be managed. Preventive measures, awareness and proper enlightenments should be given to women. Medical experts should continue with their research on how to improve the situations.

Kazeem1
Kazeem1
Member
10 months ago

It is a disorder in which the ovaries create an excessive amount of androgens, which are male sex hormones that are normally present in women but in little amounts. These androgens can cause the development of male characteristics in women.

Hassan Isa
Hassan Isa
Member
10 months ago

The term refers to the accumulation of multiple tiny cysts (fluid-filled sacs) in the ovaries. Cysts can affect any woman, although some women are more prone to them than others.

Godsewill Ifeanyi
Godsewill Ifeanyi
Member
10 months ago

It is important to be aware that an early diagnosis and treatment, in conjunction with a reduction in weight, may lower the risk of long-term problems of PCOS.

Adesanyaj72
Adesanyaj72
Member
10 months ago

It is well knowledge that ovulation takes place when a fully developed egg is expelled from the ovary. [Citation needed] This takes place so that it can be fertilized by the sperm of a man.

Nwachukwu Kingsley
Nwachukwu Kingsley
Member
10 months ago

A woman must have a history of irregular menstruation in addition to passing other clinical procedures in order to receive a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Chibuzor
Chibuzor
Member
10 months ago

Women who have this disorder have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes; the disorder itself cannot be cured but may be controlled; and women who have this disorder have an increased risk of having these health problems.

Taiwoo
Taiwoo
Member
10 months ago

We should be aware that If a woman’s uterus becomes infected, she may never be able to have children until the infection is eradicated.

Tonerol10
Tonerol10
Member
10 months ago

Early diagnosis-key to treating PCOS—doctor. Regular check up is very important. It helps to discover the problem on time and better treatment

theApr
theApr
Member
10 months ago

This is serious. It’s quite unfortunate it has no cure yet. Women should endeavor to educate themselves about stuff like this to help them notice the symptoms early enough

Bola12
Bola12
Member
10 months ago

Unfortunately, the disease can be controlled but not cured. Women need prevention, awareness, and education. Medical specialists should keep researching ways to improve conditions.

Christiana
Christiana
Member
10 months ago

Noting that early identification and treatment, in addition to weight loss, may reduce the likelihood of long-term complications of PCOS is crucial.

SarahDiv
SarahDiv
Member
10 months ago

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a silent killer if not treated urgently. Awareness should be created amongst women to be able to go for medical checkup for early detection and treatment.

DimOla
DimOla
Member
10 months ago

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is an ovulation disorder that if diagnosed in time can be easily treated. This is the more reason why awareness needs to be made among women especially in the rural communities for enlightenment and quick treatment.

Tolaniiii
Tolaniiii
Member
10 months ago

The ovaries produce an abnormally high level of androgens, which are male sex hormones but are ordinarily seen in very low concentrations in women. To put it another way, these androgens can trigger the feminization of women.

Haykaylyon26
Haykaylyon26
Member
10 months ago

Awareness and preventive measure should be take this is a serious disease enlighten the woman about it in other to be careful with the disease

Adeolastan
Adeolastan
Member
10 months ago

This type of disorder should be giving proper attention by the right authority like WHO and also governmental organisations responsible for awareness and sensitization of such ailment.

Ultra0711
Ultra0711
Member
10 months ago

Realize that the risk of PCOS-related complications can be mitigated through early diagnosis and treatment, weight loss, or both.

Remi1
Remi1
Member
10 months ago

It is crucial to be aware that early detection, medication, and weight loss may reduce the risk of PCOS-related long-term issues.