Causes & Symptoms of PCOS - 1

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also known by the name Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a hormonal problem that causes women to have a variety of symptom.

Causes of PCOS:

No one is quite sure what causes PCOS. Although women with PCOS often have a mother or sister with the condition, there is not enough scientific evidence to prove that the condition may be inherited. The ovaries of women with PCOS frequently contain a number of small cysts, hence the name poly (many) cystic ovarian syndrome. A similar number of cysts may occur in women without PCOS. Therefore, the cysts themselves do not seem to be the cause of the problem. A malfunction of the body's blood sugar control system (insulin system) is frequent in women with PCOS, and researchers believe that these abnormalities may be related to the development of PCOS. It is known that the ovaries of women with PCOS produce excess amounts of male hormone known as androgen. This excessive production of male hormones may be a result of the abnormalities in insulin production.

Most common symptoms of PCOS :

  • - Acne,oily skin, seborrhea.
  • - enlarged ovaries with multiple small cysts, an abnormally high number of follicles at various states of maturation, and a thick, scarred capsule surrounding each ovary.
  • - Oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea (primary or secondary)
  • - Anovulation (lack of ovulation and therefore infertility)
  • - Dysfunctional uterine bleeding (abnormal bleeding patterns at mid cycles)
  • - Hirsutism (excess hair growth, usually in a male pattern), - Infertility
  • - Insulin resistance (problems with blood sugar regulation)
  • - Male-pattern hair loss and fat deposition
  • - Weight gain, difficulties loosing weight, central obesity
  • - Hyper pigmentation on neck and face

Ayurvedic View of PCOS:

In Ayurveda Acharya Sushruta has mentioned Bandhya (Su/UT/38/10) a type of yonivyapada whose symptom is amenorrhoea or oligomenorrhoea. Similarly Acharaya Charaka has described Arajasaka (Ch/ChiS/30/17), a Yonivyapada indicating Amenorrhoea A combination of classical history, close observation of patient and the following investigations are important tools to confirm a case of polycystic ovarian syndrome.
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