Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is characterized by hormonal imbalances and the presence of small cysts on the ovary.
The Mayo Clinic states: "The name of the condition comes from the appearance of the ovaries in most, but not all, women with the disorder--enlarged and containing numerous small cysts located along the outer edge of each ovary (polycystic appearance).
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- PCOS affects nearly 5-10% of all women and often starts in the teen years, but it is not limited to women of reproductive age.
It can affect women of all ages. - Common symptoms include irregular or heavy periods, excess body or facial hair, acne and difficulty maintaining a healthy weight.
It can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, fertility, insulin production, heart, blood vessels, and their appearance. - Women with PCOS usually experience a cluster of symptoms, including ovary cysts, delayed or irregular menstruation, acne, obesity, excessive hair growth on their face, and elevated levels of insulin.
They may also have dark patches of skin around in their armpits or neck. - Ovary cysts are also associated with depression, skin conditions, difficulty getting pregnant, insulin resistance, type II diabetes, and other health problems.
Unfortunately, researchers do not know what causes it, but they do have some theories.
There are several ways to reduce the symptoms and even reverse PCOS.
Do you suffer from ovarian cysts? Your treatment will depend on your specific needs.
Weight loss is often very difficult for women with PCOS because their body does not process insulin properly.
When insulin is not functioning, as it should, the body has a harder time to transforming sugars into energy, so it turns into fat.
Drugs or hormone medications for insulin metabolism may improve the condition and reduce the symptoms.
Doctors often prescribe medications such as oral contraceptives (birth control pills) and progesterone to regulate a woman's menstrual cycle.
The drug Aldactone may be prescribed to block excessive androgen production.
If pregnancy is desired, then fertility drugs such as Clomid may be prescribed to trigger ovulation.
This standard treatment is not always the best one.
There is a better more logical alternative that works, with commitment and resolve.
Managing your ovarian cysts takes commitment, but it is worth the effort.
Diet is one of the most important factors.
For women with ovarian cysts who are overweight, losing weight can reduce insulin levels, stimulate ovulation, and improve fertility.
Tieraona Low Dog, M.
D, director of education for the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine, says "PCOS is principally a metabolic problem and that many treatment approaches are similar to those for insulin resistance.
" Weight loss helps improve hormonal imbalance and reduces the high insulin levels in the blood that may be the cause ovarian cysts.
Natural treatment alternatives are really effective in helping reduce the level of insulin in your body, restore hormonal balance and reduce the cysts on your ovaries.
Now, with a better understanding of PCOS, and new treatment options, most women with ovarian cysts can anticipate a successful outcome.