- Abnormal Smear
- Abnormalities of the Uterus
- Abnormalities of the Vagina
- Adenomyosis
- Amenorrhea
- Atrophic Vaginitis
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Barrier Contraception
- Bartholins Cysts
- Caesarean Section
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Screening
- Childbirth
- Chlamydia
- Clitoral Hoodectomy
- Colposcopy
- Colposcopy
- Contraceptive Pill
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Dyspareunia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Endometrial Hyperplasia
- Endometriosis
- Fibroids
- Gonorrhoea
- Heavy Periods
- Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Hymenoplasty
- Hysterectomy
- Incontinence
- Incontinence
- Infertility
- Intrauterine Devices
- Labial Reduction
- Loss Of Libido
- Menorrhagia
- Menstrual Disorders
- Miscarriage
- Natural Family Planning
- Oligomenorrhoea
- Ovarian Cancer
- Ovarian Cysts
- Pelvic Floor Exercises
- Pelvic Floor Restoration
- Perineoplasty
- Polycystic Ovaries
- Polymenorrhoea
- Post-Coital Bleeding
- Pregnancy Scanning
- Premature Menopause
- Progesterone Contraceptive Pill
- Pruritus Vulva
- Sterilisation
- Syphilis
- The Wart Virus
- Thrush
- Treatment for CIN
- Uterine Cancer
- Uterine Prolapse
- Vaginal Cancer
- Vaginal Cysts
- Vaginal Discharge
- Vaginal Infections
- Vaginal Prolapse
- Vaginal Tightening
- Vulva Cancer
- Vulval Anatomy
- Vulval Dystrophy
- Vulvodynia
- Well Women Checks
Polycystic Ovaries
Polycystic ovaries are ovaries that are covered with a number of cysts, or follicles, that inhibit ovulation. A woman with polycystic ovaries may have fertility problems, and will have lower production of oestrogen. This can lead to symptoms such as obesity and abnormal hair growth.
Many women will visit their GP or gynaecologist complaining of menstrual disorders, more specifically a noticeably increased amount of time between menstrual periods. This condition can be caused by a number of things, but the specialist investigating the condition may decide that it is a result of polycystic ovaries if it is combined with other related symptoms. Most of the symptoms a woman will experience are due to a lack of oestrogen production. Oestrogen is the hormone that gives a woman her secondary sexual features. With a decreased amount of oestrogen being produced in a woman’s body, she may experience obesity, increased bodily and facial hair and even acne.
These physicals signs, along with complaints of menstrual disorders, will suggest polycystic ovaries. Infertility is the main symptom of this condition. The cysts on the ovaries prevent ovulation from occurring as frequently as it should. This means that a woman cannot conceive as easily as she should do, and she will experience her menstrual periods less frequently.
The exact cause of polycystic ovaries is unknown. Research that has been conducted to investigate the condition suggests that it may be a genetic disorder. It has been found in families many times, and has also been linked to women suffering from diabetes. A link between polycystic ovaries and obesity has also been made. A lot of time and money is still being put into investigating the cause of this condition, but until a cause has been isolated, it cannot be entirely cured.
There are a number of drugs that can be taken to help deal with polycystic ovaries. These treatments are mostly hormonal supplements, designed to stimulate the ovaries to continue with regular ovulation. This may in turn regulate the production of oestrogen, and ease the symptoms of the condition. If this does not work, treatments can be administered to deal solely with the symptoms. These treatments can often effectively relieve the symptoms of polycystic ovaries. A woman can attempt to maintain her BMI (Body Mass Index) at an acceptable level to help prevent this condition, as studies have shown that this can be a factor in the development of the problem.