WHAT IS PCOD?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which can also be known as the Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a condition that affects the ovaries.

NORMALLY,the ovaries found in women consist of a pair of glands on either side of the uterus (womb). The ovaries produce ova (eggs) which are released into the uterus once a month, during the menstrual cycle. Each ovum develops from a small swelling called a follicle in the ovary. Usually, many follicles develop each month, but only one will produce a full matured ovum.

Ovaries also produce a variety of hormones including the female hormone oestrogen. The ovaries also produce small amounts of androgens, such as testosterone called male hormones.

When a person has polycystic ovary syndrome the ovaries are affected in any of the following ways:

1.Every month at least 12 follicles develop on the surface of the ovary unlike regular follicle developement.

The follicles are also known as cysts, and hence its name:
Poly (means many) Cystic (referring to the follicles) Ovary Syndrome.

The cysts on the ovaries in PCOS are fluid sacs and are completely benign ( not related to cancer).

2.Although there are many follicles, they do not fully mature so no ovum is released. When ovulation does not occur, the woman will not have a period.

- In some people this happens every month meaning that they never ovulate.
- In some women ovulation occurs sometimes, leading to irregular periods.

3.The balance of hormones released by the ovaries gets affected. Usually the ovaries produce higher levels of testosterone that normal.

What causes this vicious cycle to start is not well understood, and probably varies from patient to patient: Insulin? Diet? Stress? Fat? Glandular & hormone problems.

more than 30% of women, if their ovaries were scanned, would have lots of cysts on their ovaries. However only around 10% of women actually suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome, which is where they suffer from at least two of the three problems described above. The remaining women have lots of cysts but still ovulate regularly and do not have raised levels of testosterone. It also means that some women can suffer from polycystic ovary syndrome, if they have high testosterone levels and irregular ovulation, even if they do not have lots of cysts on their ovaries.

In the next blog i'm gonna deal with the symptoms of pcod .

reference:
www.medic8.com
www.drmalpani.com
www.helium.com