More than 10% of women live with gynaecological diseases that lead to unnecessary suffering, frustration and insecurity. Endometriosis and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) are among two of the diseases that are underdiagnosed. But what exactly are the symptoms and how to treat these gynecological diseases?
PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a syndrome that is the most common cause of hormonal imbalance for women.
One of the most common symptoms of PCOS is a higher level of male sex hormones (androgens), which in turn can lead to increased hair growth and acne. Other symptoms can be irregular menstruation and ovulation, and small cysts on the ovaries. In a normal woman, we see anywhere from 5-15 cysts, while PCOS patients can have more than 20 cysts.
The diagnosis is made on the basis that you have at least two out of three symptoms:
Cause
The cause of PCOS is unknown and there is a great need for more research in the field. Inheritance, environment and lifestyle are related to the development of the syndrome and how severe the symptoms are. The condition develops in late puberty and through the fertile age until menopause.
The syndrome leads to hormonal imbalance with the production of too much testosterone and can lead to diabetes, obesity, abnormal hair growth, impure skin and pimples and the challenges of getting pregnant in a normal way.
Research
Dr. Dropin's own gynecologist Azita Mahmoudan is writing a PhD on PCOS. Our former gynecologist Jan Mellembakken is a professor, senior physician and researcher from Rikshospitalet, one of Norway's leading experts in fertility, IVF and PCOS.
Watch Jan Mellembakken and Iselin Guttormsen talk about why there is not more research into women's diseases here:
Why is there not more research on women's health?
There is treatment for PCOS, but the syndrome itself can not be cured. Many people experience a good effect of treatment. The most important treatment is weight loss, which in itself will lead to an improvement in hormone levels (lower insulin and testosterone levels) and stabilization of menstruation and thus ovulation. 5% weight reduction can give a 20% higher chance of getting pregnant.
The menstrual cycle can be stabilized with the help of birth control pills and will work by reducing male sex hormones. Laser treatment can remove unwanted hair growth. In vitro fertilization or medication that stimulates ovulation can help those who are involuntarily childless.
Hear our gynecologist Azita explain.
The doctor will first go through the medical history and look for characteristic features. This often gives rise to suspicion, which means that you proceed with examinations and a gynecological examination. The small cysts on the ovaries can be produced using ultrasound, but not in everyone. Blood tests can reveal abnormal hormone levels and provide a picture of, among other things, cholesterol and sugar metabolism in the body.
The examinations can also clarify whether there are other causes for the symptom picture. The prognosis depends on how pronounced the condition is and whether you receive the right treatment to control hormone levels, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.
The doctors at Dr.Dropin have a good knowledge of women's health and can assist in both the investigation and treatment of PCOS: all our doctors receive regular lectures on women's health and gynecology from experienced specialists in the field.
Our own gynaecologist, Azita Mahmoudan, is a specialist in fertility and is writing a PhD on PCOS. Endometriosis is also one of her core areas.
Meet our gynecologists
Do you have more questions about PCOS or other women's diseases? Contact us or, and we will help you as best we can.
You can also book an appointment directly with our general practitioners, gynecologists and dermatologists. We put women's health first and want to meet our patients with consideration and high professional competence.
Author: GP Anne Marte Ladim
Last updated: 12.07.2022