Polycystic disease and hormones. Polycystic ovary syndrome: symptoms and treatment

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex of symptoms that is characterized by dysfunction of the ovaries against the background of neuroendocrine disorders (malfunctions of the pancreas, adrenal glands, hypothalamus and pituitary gland).

In the ovaries, the process of folliculogenesis is disrupted, which leads to anovulation, and an excess of androgens (male sex hormones) leads to the development of hirsutism (increased hair growth) and obesity.

The term "polycystic" refers to the presence of multiple small cysts in the ovary, due to which the ovaries increase in size.

The generally accepted name for this condition is polycystic ovary syndrome, and not a disease, since the symptom complex characteristic of polycystic ovary syndrome occurs in various diseases.

Kinds

There are primary polycystic ovary syndrome (Stein-Leventhal syndrome) and secondary polycystic ovary syndrome.

Secondary polycystic ovary syndrome develops against the background of adrenal hyperplasia, thyroid disease, diabetes, and obesity.

Causes

The exact causes of polycystic ovary syndrome have not been established. Predisposing factors include:

• trauma, stress and infections in childhood;
• hereditary predisposition;
• presence of relatives with hypertension or diabetes;
• chronic infectious diseases;
• pathology of the pituitary gland, hypothalamus, thyroid gland;
• hyperplasia of the adrenal cortex;
• complicated childbirth;
• numerous abortions;
• obesity.

Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome

Manifestations of polycystic ovary syndrome are numerous and varied:

Menstrual irregularities. Irregular menstruation, with long (6 months or more) delays, scanty or heavy periods. Menstrual disorder begins with menarche (with the first menstrual bleeding).

Infertility. Infertility is explained by chronic anovulation or rare ovulation (during the rupture of the follicle and the release of the egg, it cannot break through the too dense lining of the ovary).

Obesity. The distribution of excess adipose tissue occurs according to the male type (in the lower abdomen and abdominal cavity, while the arms and legs remain of normal size).

Hirsutism, alopecia. Characterized by increased hair growth on the face and body and male pattern baldness of the scalp (bald patches on the forehead and crown).

Curettage of the uterine cavity. Scraping of the uterine mucosa after histological examination indicates endometrial hyperplasia. Curettage is performed in cases of dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome

Treatment is carried out by a gynecologist-endocrinologist.

Therapy for polycystic ovary syndrome is lengthy, extending over months and even years.

Treatment goals:

• normalization of the menstrual cycle;
• restoration of ovulation and subsequent pregnancy;
• elimination of cosmetic problems;
• weight correction.

Therapy for polycystic ovary syndrome begins with prescribing a diet and normalizing weight.

It is recommended to limit the consumption of fats (especially of animal origin), carbohydrates and liquids. You should avoid smoked, salty and spicy foods. Sports activities are also effective. Often, weight normalization leads to a regular menstrual cycle and restoration of ovulation.

To eliminate cosmetic defects and correct the menstrual cycle, hormonal drugs with antiandrogenic activity are prescribed (Zhanin, Yarina, Diane-35). Taking hormonal contraceptives lasts 6-9 months.

After the menstrual cycle is restored, ovulation stimulation is started with Clomiphene (clostilbegit) from days 5 to 9 of the cycle. Treatment with Clomiphene is carried out under the control of basal temperature and ultrasound (to determine the dominant follicle).

If there is no effect from conservative therapy, surgical intervention is resorted to. Surgery is performed laparoscopically (3 punctures in the anterior abdominal wall), during which wedge-shaped resection of the ovaries or electrocautery of the ovaries (opening of cysts with an electrocoagulator) is performed.

Pregnancy after surgical treatment occurs within 6-9 months, but the more time passes after surgery, the less chance of getting pregnant.

Complications and prognosis

Polycystic ovary syndrome is dangerous due to the development of the following conditions:

• miscarriage (premature birth, miscarriages);
• endometrial hyperplasia and cancer;
• increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, hypertension.

The prognosis for polycystic disease is favorable. Timely and high-quality therapy for polycystic ovary syndrome restores a woman’s ability to conceive, and, consequently, to give birth to a child in the majority (70-90%) of cases.

The only condition is taking hormonal medications (Utrozhestan, Duphaston) to support pregnancy.

This is a disease of the female reproductive system, which occurs quite often (ICD10 code E28.2). It is a pathologically altered ovarian tissue with the development of single or multiple cysts on it on both one and two sides. Has a benign course. But in some cases, degeneration into oncology is possible.

This problem worries many women who have been diagnosed with this problem. The disease includes primary polycystic disease and polycystic ovary syndrome.

1. Primary polycystic disease.

This type of pathology is genetic in nature and can be congenital. It begins to appear during puberty at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. There is evidence about the hereditary nature of the pathology. The course of the disease in primary polycystic ovary syndrome is complex and difficult to treat.

2. Secondary polycystic disease.

The disease is not independent in nature, but is a collection of symptoms, and is called polycystic ovary syndrome. It develops at a later age, when the function of the reproductive system is fully formed. It manifests itself as ovarian pathology, developing against the background of endocrine disorders. As a result of hormonal failure in the functioning of the endocrine glands, cysts form on the surface or in the ovary itself. This pathology affects the reproductive function of a woman, that is, infertility develops. Secondary polycystic ovary syndrome is a disease that requires the girl to be patient and follow all the doctor’s recommendations in order to restore reproductive function.

Causes of polycystic disease

They can be very diverse. First of all, this is the occurrence of a malfunction in the functioning of the neuroendocrine systems, as a result of which all the functions of these organs begin to suffer.

• Pituitary gland and hypothalamus - there is a disruption in the activity of the adrenal glands and ovaries.
• Adrenal cortex – increased production of androgen secretion occurs.
• Ovaries - there is an increase in the production of estrogen secretion and, as a result, a lack of ovulation.
• Pancreas – increased production of insulin when body tissues are resistant to it.

Such a malfunction of the entire neuroendocrine system leads to an imbalance of male and female hormones. As a result of this process, the ovarian capsule thickens, the egg does not come out, the follicle does not burst, but increases in size and fills with fluid. A cyst forms. Polycystic ovaries can cause the development of type 2 diabetes and obesity. This polymorphic picture, which is based on the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome, is caused by hormonal dysfunction of the endocrine glands. This pathology leads to persistent phenomena of impaired reproductive function in women.

Symptoms

The disease manifests itself polymorphically, that is, it may correspond to other dyshormonal disorders. For example, they occur during puberty during the first menstruation or several years after childbirth. The totality of all clinical symptoms of the disease, confirmed by laboratory and diagnostic methods, allows for a correct diagnosis and initiation of treatment. When examining patients, the following symptoms of the disease are often revealed:

• Menstrual irregularities in the form of a delay in menstruation for a long period or absence of menstruation. Sometimes scanty discharge can alternate with heavy menstruation.
• Obesity 2–3 degrees with a tendency to increase weight. Fat deposits can be formed according to the male type, that is, located on the waist and abdomen. In parallel, it is possible to have type 2 diabetes mellitus.
• Hirsutism, that is, male-type hair growth on the face, in the form of “antennae” on the upper lip, on the legs, on the shoulders. Pain with polycystic ovary syndrome in the lower abdomen is nagging, moderate in nature, sometimes constant or periodic.
• Characteristic basal temperature during the entire cycle without a jump in increase, which indicates the absence of ovulation. Diagnosis of polycystic disease

The most common reasons for women to visit a doctor are complaints about the inability to get pregnant, that is, infertility. To make a diagnosis, in addition to objective symptoms, additional studies are carried out.

Diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome includes:

• Ultrasound of the ovaries - during the examination, a bilateral increase in the organ in volume up to 9 cm3, thickening of the ovarian capsule, and the presence of cystic formations up to 10 mm in diameter are noted. Cysts can be either single or multiple.
• Laboratory diagnostics for the quantitative composition of hormones of the adrenal glands, pituitary gland, ovaries
• Tests for blood glucose, insulin, and cholesterol to identify pathologies of carbohydrate metabolism.
• Diagnostic laparoscopy to clarify the diagnosis in case of questionable results of polycystic ovary syndrome on ultrasound.
• MRI to rule out ovarian malignancy.

The diagnosis of the disease is made after examining the patient on the basis of: 1. Objective examination data, absence or irregularities of the menstrual cycle.2. Laboratory confirmation of the presence of increased amounts of male hormones in the blood.3. Signs of polycystic ovary syndrome during ultrasound examination.

How to treat

Treatment of the disease is aimed primarily at restoring the menstrual cycle and ovulation, and is carried out using both conservative and surgical methods. In addition to the main treatment, it is possible to use traditional medicine recipes. As a rule, treatment begins with the preparatory stage.

1. Weight loss.

The majority of patients suffering from the disease are overweight. A diet for polycystic ovary syndrome allows you to reset them. The diet is compiled by a nutritionist taking into account the individual characteristics of the woman, as well as her body mass index. Dietary nutrition is combined with physical activity and gymnastics.

• The daily calorie intake should be 1200–1800 units with mandatory fractional meals in small portions 5-6 times a day.
• Avoid fried foods. Prepare food by steaming.
• Remove animal fats from your diet and give preference to vegetable fats.
• Limit eating foods containing sugar - honey, confectionery, jam, sweets.
• Carry out fasting days 1-2 times a week /fruit, kefir, water/.
• Do not eat spicy, smoked or canned foods.
• You can eat fish, dietary rabbit meat, chicken, turkey. After losing weight, they begin the second stage of treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome.

2. Hormone therapy.

At this stage, the doctor’s task is to restore the menstrual cycle and ovulation. For this purpose, hormonal therapy is prescribed, including drugs with a low estrogen content. These are contraceptives, which include MARVELON, LOGEST, FEMODEN. The course of treatment is carried out for three months, followed by a break of 30 days. Laboratory monitoring of hormone levels is required, as well as examination using ultrasound to check the dynamics of the process after drug treatment.

3. Stimulation of ovulation.

This stage of treatment is indicated for women planning pregnancy. Metmorphine for polycystic ovary syndrome gives good results as a drug that reduces blood glucose levels. Application is indicated for one to two weeks. During this time, the process of glucose absorption in the digestive system slows down, which leads to inhibition of glucose synthesis in the liver. At the same time, general restorative therapy and vitamins B and C are prescribed. Conservative treatment is selected by your doctor strictly individually. If there are any problems or intolerance to the drug, drug therapy is adjusted.

4. Folk remedies.

Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome with traditional medicine at home is auxiliary and is carried out as an addition to the main treatment. Preparations of plant origin, such as boron uterus for polycystic ovary syndrome, are used as a tincture or aqueous solution, red brush tincture, and dandelion root decoction. The presence of phytohormones in the grass has a positive therapeutic effect. The use of folk remedies is possible only after consulting a doctor in combination with basic therapy.

5. Surgical treatment.

In the absence of positive dynamics in the treatment of polycystic disease using conservative methods, they resort to surgical intervention. This method replaces conventional ovulation stimulation and gives good results in terms of conceiving a child. Laparoscopy for polycystic disease is performed under general anesthesia, and there are several types of operations, depending on the patient’s condition and the course of the disease.

Ovarian resection for polycystic disease, this is usually a wedge-shaped resection of the altered ovary. Most of the damaged organ is removed, resulting in reduced androgen production. Hormonal levels normalize and ovulation occurs.

Cauterization– this is a less traumatic operation for a slight enlargement of the ovary and consists of “cauterizing” ovarian cysts with a laser, which helps reduce the production of androgens to normal.

Decortication of the ovary– the thickened and sclerotic membrane of the ovary is removed. Cystic formations are punctured. After surgery, ovulation occurs within 6 to 12 months. Monitoring the restoration of ovarian function is carried out using laboratory tests and measuring basal temperature. If after 2–3 cycles ovulation is not restored, the prescription of hormonal drugs is indicated.

The prognosis for the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome is largely positive. But 20% of women who underwent a full course of ovulation stimulation were unable to restore ovarian activity. In this case, artificial in vitro fertilization (IVF) is possible. Thus, modern methods of treating infertility in women give good results in terms of the possibility of conceiving a child.

Veroshpiron

This drug is often prescribed for polycystic ovary syndrome. It is important to know that during treatment with the drug, you cannot plan a pregnancy. Taking it helps reduce androgens. The duration of taking the drug is determined by your attending physician!

If you have experience in treating polycystic disease, then leave your comment or review about the treatment method.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (Stein-Leventhal syndrome) is a disease of the endocrine system. In recent years, this disease has been detected quite often.

With polycystic disease, a woman's ovaries increase in size. Small bubbles appear in them, filled with liquid.

Typically, this disease is found in women who have an excess of androgens (male sex hormones). With polycystic ovary syndrome, the egg does not mature and ovulation does not occur. It is this fact that causes particular concern to women.

There is no rupture of the follicle. It fills with fluid and turns into a cyst. Therefore, the ovaries gradually enlarge. Sometimes they exceed normal sizes by 5 times. Polycystic disease is the main cause of infertility.

What symptoms and signs should alert you

Characteristic signs can appear in women of any age. If the disease occurs during puberty, then menstruation may never come.

Symptoms of the disease

• excess hair growth on the face and body (hirsutism);
• menstrual irregularities;
• very poor health during menstruation;
• acne on the back, face, neck;
• dysfunction of the sebaceous glands, which manifests itself in increased oiliness of the skin and hair;
• bleeding between periods;
• long delays in menstruation;
• sudden and significant weight gain;
• obesity;
• baldness;
• periodic pain in the lower abdomen, which has a pulling character;
• high blood pressure;
• infertility.

Different women may have different combinations of symptoms. The first sign you need to pay attention to is irregular menstrual cycles. Often the disease is detected between the ages of 12 and 14 years, when the first menstruation appears.

Very often, polycystic ovary syndrome is accompanied by diabetes, candidiasis and chronic skin diseases. The disease is combined with dysfunction of the thyroid gland, pituitary gland, hypothalamus, and adrenal glands (endocrine glands).

Some girls have no obvious signs of illness. But ultrasound can detect changes in the ovaries. The consequences of the disease are infertility, chronic pelvic pain, darkening of the skin in certain areas of the body (under the breasts, in the groin).

Reasons that can provoke polycystic disease

Doctors do not have a clear opinion about the causes of this disease. There are a variety of theories that try to explain this pathology. The disease is associated with the body's inability to process the hormone insulin. If its level is quite high, then the production of androgens begins.

Another theory states that the protein membrane of the ovaries thickens. This leads to intensive formation of androgens. Some experts believe that the synthesis of androgens in the adrenal glands is disrupted. This theory is also not 100% confirmed. It is impossible to explain exactly why a woman’s hormonal system suddenly failed. There are opinions that this occurs under the influence of genetic factors.

Obesity plays an important role in the development of the disease. It very often leads to polycystic disease. However, some women develop ovarian disease first and then become obese. Lipid metabolism is impaired in 40% of patients suffering from excess androgens.

These women are at risk of developing diabetes because their cells become less sensitive to insulin. Doctors believe that obesity itself can lead to menstrual irregularities. Obesity provokes increased production of androgens. Therefore, women must definitely monitor their weight.

The following reasons can be indirect causes of polycystic ovary syndrome: frequent sore throats, acute respiratory viral infections, chronic diseases.

How are diseases diagnosed?

Usually, doctors can immediately make a diagnosis based on the characteristic symptoms of the disease. It is confirmed by the data obtained as a result of the survey. Patients undergo the following procedures:

1. Ultrasound

A study of the pelvic organs is being carried out. Changes in ovarian tissue are detected. They contain cysts filled with fluid. The ovaries are enlarged in size, their shell is thickened. The specialist notes the proliferation of connective tissue.

2. Blood chemistry

It makes it possible to identify existing metabolic disorders. Patients usually have high cholesterol. Sometimes glucose is elevated, which indicates the likelihood of diabetes.

3. Blood test for hormones

With polycystic ovary syndrome, increased levels of male sex hormones and LH are found in the blood. In the second phase of the cycle, there is a lack of progesterone.

4. Biopsy

Sometimes doctors perform endometrial curettage. A small area of ​​the inner uterine lining is examined under a microscope. The procedure is prescribed for patients with dysfunctional bleeding. Experts can confirm or refute the version of the presence of a tumor.

Treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (types and methods)

The doctor’s main goal is to normalize hormone production and regulate the menstrual cycle. Experts often prescribe an artificial analogue of the female hormone progesterone - progestogen. Birth control pills are also often prescribed to restore normal menstrual cycles.

There are contraceptives that block androgen production and increase estrogen production. They help get rid of such unpleasant phenomena as acne and excess hair. Different medications are selected for women based on individual characteristics.

If the body and face are covered with acne, then a specialist may recommend using isotretinoin. It normalizes the activity of the sebaceous glands. But this medicine has side effects. Therefore, it is not prescribed to all patients. It is prohibited for those planning a pregnancy.

To improve insulin production, your doctor may prescribe metmorphine. The drug helps to get rid of excess weight and reduce blood pressure. It also helps normalize the menstrual cycle. Infertility is also treated with clomiphene citrate.

Treatment with folk remedies

If you have been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, do not despair. There are many good folk recipes that help improve the functions of the hormonal system. They can be used separately or combined with medications. Before using traditional medicine, you should consult your doctor.

The most effective recipes:

1. You need to squeeze the juice from viburnum berries and mix it with natural honey (it’s better to take flower honey). Drink the drink for at least 4 months. Take it in the morning on an empty stomach, increasing the dose gradually. In the second week, drink the drink in the mornings and evenings. The starting dose is slightly less than half a teaspoon. At the end of the course, the dose should be a tablespoon. After a month of taking this natural medicine, you need to take a break for 1 month. After this, take the drug in the reverse order - start with a large dose, gradually reducing it.

2. Mix a large spoonful of meadowsweet herb with a tablespoon of raspberry leaves. Pour 1 liter of boiling water over the herbs. The decoction should be drunk a day before. The course of treatment takes 3 months.

3. Make a decoction using pine or spruce needles. The proportion is three large spoons of needles per liter of boiling water. The decoction should be taken in small portions. You should drink all the liquid during the day. The course lasts a month.

4. Buy peony tincture at the pharmacy. Make a solution by mixing 1 small spoon of tincture with the same amount of water. It should be drunk three times a day. The course of treatment takes a month. This is followed by a break of 10 days, after which you need to take another course.

Natural healer Borovaya uterus

Borovaya uterus serves as the main component of many folk recipes. It has long been successfully used by healers to treat polycystic ovary syndrome.

This plant can be found in Siberian coniferous forests. You can actually buy a unique herb at a pharmacy.

Studies have shown that it contains organic acids, coumatin, arbutin, vitamin C, saponins and other components that have a beneficial effect on women's health. For polycystic disease, it is recommended to take an infusion of boron uterus.

To do this, take 2 tablespoons of weed and pour them with two glasses of hot water. Cover the container and let the liquid sit for 2 hours. It is not recommended to boil the plant, as this will cause it to lose some of its beneficial qualities.

The best option is to infuse the weed in a thermos. Next, the liquid must be filtered. Take in small portions (a tablespoon) throughout the day. The course of treatment takes several months. Before taking the infusion, be sure to consult your doctor.

Laparoscopy for polycystic ovary syndrome

A radical measure in the treatment of the disease is laparoscopy. The operation is performed using a laser beam or a hot needle. The ovary is cauterized in certain places. The technique makes it possible to stimulate ovulation. This gives the woman the opportunity to conceive a child.

But such intervention is used as a last resort. Experts believe that the suture can lead to deformation of the ovary. This may reduce your chances of getting pregnant.

Operative method of treatment

If conservative treatment of the disease does not lead to a positive result, then doctors offer the patient surgical intervention.

Basic methods:

1. wedge resection;
2. electrocautery.

The first method is an operation that is performed laparoscopically. The patient makes miniature incisions on the abdomen in the area of ​​the ovary. In this case, general anesthesia is used. The surgeon removes a piece of tissue that produces an increased amount of hormones. After the operation, the woman’s hormonal status normalizes. This leads to the restoration of the normal menstrual cycle.

The second method is also laparoscopic. The operation is also performed under general anesthesia. Doctors use a targeted effect on the part of the ovary that produces excessive amounts of hormones.

As a result of surgical treatment, patients are able to conceive a baby within six months after the operation.

Is it possible to get pregnant with this diagnosis?

The disease is characterized by a disruption of the process of hormone formation. Therefore, it leads to the fact that a woman does not ovulate. An egg does not come out of the ovary. Doctors call this condition infertility. A blood test reveals an increased amount of male hormones. In this case, pregnancy is impossible.

The disease can appear in women of any age. But sometimes with polycystic disease ovulation occurs. Then pregnancy is possible. Some women with polycystic disease successfully give birth to healthy babies. Therefore, everything here is individual. You should undergo examination and treatment by a specialist. If the patient manages to restore ovulation, she can conceive a child.

Stimulation and ovulation

There are women who ovulate normally and with polycystic disease. They can conceive and carry a child to term without treatment. But if pregnancy does not occur within a year, then the doctor draws up an individual treatment regimen. Hormonal diseases are treated for a long time.

Therefore, a long-awaited pregnancy usually occurs at least a year after the start of treatment. First, the woman is prescribed hormonal contraceptive pills. These are the main drugs that help achieve ovulation. They must be taken for at least three to five months.

After stopping the pills, the woman ovulates. She gets a chance to conceive a baby. Thus, hormonal pills help regulate the cycle.

If the disease is accompanied by irregular menstruation, then ovulation is absent. In such cases, doctors prescribe its stimulation. On certain days of the menstrual cycle, a woman must take hormones in the form of tablets (injections).

This method allows for the maturation of the follicle in the ovaries. In the middle of the cycle it bursts, releasing the egg. This phenomenon is called ovulation.

The effect of polycystic ovary syndrome on the current pregnancy

For a pregnant woman, polycystic disease can threaten miscarriage, fetal loss and premature birth. Problems may arise with the health of the expectant mother herself. Severe weight gain, high blood pressure, and gestational diabetes are the main disorders that occur in pregnant women.

For polycystic disease, patients are prescribed maintenance therapy. Pregnancy caused by this disease must be preserved. Conception with this disease is a real miracle. By following all the doctor’s recommendations, you will be able to carry your baby to term.

Diet - lose weight and beat the disease

This disease is very often accompanied overweight, which further complicates the situation. To normalize your menstrual cycle, you need to lose excess weight.

When treating polycystic disease, doctors pay great attention to the treatment and prevention of obesity. Diet and physical activity are important for those who want to regain their health.

If you add special medications to such measures that normalize metabolic processes, you can get positive results.

Sometimes it is enough to eliminate excess weight for a woman to restore her menstrual cycle. In this option, the problem of infertility disappears on its own.

A proper nutritional system is very important for the hormonal system. Doctors recommend eliminating all harmful foods from your diet. These include sweet, spicy, fried, fast food, carbonated sweet drinks, fatty foods, and alcohol. Baked goods, sugar, and sweets are prohibited.

The basis of nutrition should be fresh vegetables and fruits. You should add porridge, grains, lean meat and fish to them. The diet must maintain an equal ratio of carbohydrates and proteins. It is better to make meals in fractions. Thus, you need to eat little, but often.

Strict diets with strict restrictions are prohibited. It is necessary to gradually change your eating habits, moving from junk food to healthy and wholesome food. Eliminate anything that contains synthetic additives.

You should consume products without preservatives, dyes and flavors. Many manufacturers offer products filled with chemicals. They cause hormonal imbalances in the body. When treating polycystic disease, you should pay close attention to the composition of products.

It is very important to reduce the amount of animal fats in your diet. In women with PCOS, liver function is usually affected, causing a range of additional problems. Therefore, patients need to normalize their cholesterol levels. This can be done by giving up fatty and fried foods.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common problem associated with hormonal imbalance, although the symptoms of this condition are not always the same among women. Polycystic ovary syndrome is not one disease, but a set of symptoms. It is diagnosed based on a number of signs, the main one being the absence of regular ovulation.

Other common symptoms women experience with PCOS are hair loss and hirsutism (excessive hair growth on the body and face). Also, with PCOS, women very often have problems conceiving, since ovulation occurs extremely irregularly, which can also affect the quality of the eggs. Inability to ovulate occurs due to insufficient amounts of estradiol and progesterone. Because of this, testosterone rises and secondary symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome develop, such as hair loss, acne and infertility.

If you have been diagnosed with PCOS, determine which type of polycystic disease you suffer from. Thanks to this, you can radically change the method of therapy and achieve faster success in treatment.

To be correctly diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, the patient must have any two of the following three signs (according to established criteria, Rotterdam, 2003):

1. Oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea (menstrual dysfunction) or anovulation (lack of regular ovulation).
2. Excess androgens (“male hormones”) – measured through laboratory testing (testosterone, DHEA and androstenedione) and based on symptoms such as acne and hair loss.
3. Polycystic ovaries are visualized using ultrasound: follicles grow, but do not ovulate (“pearl necklace”).

The main rule: you should never make or accept from a doctor a diagnosis of “polycystic ovary syndrome” based only on ultrasound data. It is better to consult an experienced doctor who can correctly diagnose all the symptoms and identify the cause of the disorder.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is useless to treat until the root cause of the lack of ovulation in each specific case is established. The causes of polycystic disease may vary from girl to girl. This is why so often natural remedies work well for one woman with polycystic ovary syndrome and are not suitable for another.

Below is a brief overview of the four types of PCOS, thanks to which you can first determine whether you have this disorder and what caused it.

TYPES OF PCOS: CAUSES OF POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN DISEASE

1. Insulin-resistant polycystic ovary syndrome

This is the “classic” and most common option. The culprit in the development of this type of PCOS is that the body becomes less sensitive to insulin, causing the levels of sugar and this hormone in the blood to become unbalanced. High insulin and leptin prevent ovulation and stimulate the ovaries to produce testosterone.

What is the reason? Insulin resistance is caused by obesity, excessive consumption of sugar and trans fats, smoking, and environmental toxins.

Diagnostics. Check your fasting insulin and glucose levels. LH (luteinizing hormone) or cholesterol levels may also be elevated. Obesity may be present. Normal weight with insulin resistance can occur after dieting or eating disorders.

Treatment. The first step is to avoid high consumption of sugars. The best supplements for insulin resistance are magnesium, lipoic acid, alpha lipoic acid or R-lipoic acid, and berberine. OCs are not a treatment for this type of PCOS because they only worsen insulin sensitivity. Improvement in this type of polycystic ovary syndrome begins to appear gradually, after about six months of treatment.

1. Immune system related PCOS

This is the second type of polycystic ovary syndrome, which occurs due to chronic inflammation. Inflammation interferes with ovulation and disrupts hormone receptors, stimulating the production of adrenal androgens such as DHEA sulfate. Women who have a history of immune dysfunction and autoimmune conditions (including family members) are more likely to develop this type of PCOS. Inflammation, or chronic activation of the immune system, can result from stress, environmental toxins, gut permeability, and inflammatory foods such as gluten or A1 casein.

Cause. Dysfunction of the immune system causes chronic inflammation, which ultimately leads to elevated androgens. Usually in such cases, someone in the family has autoimmune diseases or the woman herself has a history of skin diseases, recurrent infections or joint pain. Symptoms such as recurring infections and headaches may also occur.

Diagnostics. Blood tests for inflammatory markers such as CRP (C-reactive protein), ESR, vitamin D deficiency, thyroid antibodies (anti-TPO), and food sensitivities/allergies should be considered first. There may be deviations in the general clinical blood test. Also, the girl in this case may have elevated DEA-S04 and adrenal androgens.

Treatment. Reduce stress and exposure to environmental toxins such as pesticides and plastics. Eliminate inflammatory foods from your diet - wheat, dairy products and sugar. Treat gut permeability with zinc, berberine and probiotics. Take magnesium supplements - they are anti-inflammatory and normalize adrenal hormones. Improvement occurs slowly and gradually over 6-9 months.

1. Polycystic ovary syndrome after taking hormonal contraceptives

This type of polycystic disease is one of the most common and to some extent easier to treat. At least it's easier to diagnose and the cause is pretty obvious. In addition, such polycystic disease can be treated much better and faster using natural remedies. It occurs after the use of oral contraceptives. Birth control pills suppress ovulation. For most women, the body returns to normal function within about the first six months, but for some this period drags on for years and requires treatment.

This is the second most common type of PCOS. And since there is a reason why it occurs, it must be reversible.

What is the reason? After taking pills for a long time and being forced to “rest,” it is difficult for the body to restart its own process of producing estrogen and progesterone.

Diagnostics. It often happens that a girl had regular periods before taking COCs, and the pills were prescribed to her for contraception or to fight acne. These women may also have elevated levels of LH (luteinizing hormone) and possibly prolactin.

Treatment. If LH is elevated, it is best to use natural treatments with herbs such as peony and licorice. If prolactin is high, then grass helps. However, you should not take Vitex if your LH levels are elevated! Vitex stimulates LH, so the situation with PCOS can only get worse. Because of this, many women with polycystic ovary syndrome feel even worse after Vitex. Do not take it if your blood luteinizing hormone is already high.

Both peony and chasteberry work on the pituitary-ovarian axis and are powerful herbs. They are not recommended to be used too early in the morning or late in the evening. Do not take them if you have not yet completed puberty or are just stopping drinking OK. Wait at least 3-4 months after stopping the pills. Do not use peony or chasteberry for more than 10-12 weeks at a time. They shouldn't take that long. If they suit you, they will start working fairly quickly (within 3-4 months). Further, after stopping their use, menstruation should remain regular. Do not take licorice if you have high blood pressure. It is best to consult an experienced doctor before starting treatment.

1. Polycystic ovary syndrome associated with poor ecology and external circumstances, or PCOS of unknown etiology

In this case, it is important to find the exact cause that caused polycystic ovary syndrome. You need to find out what foods, drugs or habits affected hormonal levels and ovulation. Usually in this case there is one reason that blocks it. Once found, PCOS usually goes away within 3-4 months. Common hidden causes of polycystic disease most often include:

• too much soy in the diet, because it is also an anti-estrogen and can block ovulation in some women (a small amount is not harmful);
• diseases of the thyroid gland, since the ovaries require the hormone T3;
• a vegetarian diet because it causes zinc deficiency;
• iodine deficiency - iodine is needed by the ovaries;
• artificial sweeteners, as they worsen sensitivity to insulin and leptin;
• too little starch in the diet, as the hormonal system needs a low-carbohydrate diet.

If the cause is found correctly, treatment should quickly help restore the functioning of the endocrine system.

Cause. These women have increased sensitivity, so even food choices can affect the body's ability to ovulate. There are girls who restore ovulation after giving up all soy products or sweeteners. It is also important to rule out thyroid disease, as hypothyroidism can interfere with normal ovulation.

Diagnostics. If you don't fit into any category of other types of PCOS or don't respond well to treatment, it may be due to your thyroid or lifestyle/habits.
Of course, it's not always possible to know exactly what type of PCOS you have, and symptoms can be mixed. Therefore, to accurately determine the cause, a woman may need to undergo an ultrasound and donate blood for hormones for some time. Don't accept the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome too quickly. Proper diagnosis requires a blood test to show high levels of testosterone and other male hormones such as androstenedione and DHEA. Never accept this diagnosis if it was made only from one ultrasound examination (without a blood test for hormones).