Polycystisk ovariesyndrom (PCOS)

PCOS - What is it, causes, treatment, diagnosis and assessment by a doctor (2022)

More than 10% of women live with gynecological diseases that lead to unnecessary suffering, frustration and insecurity. Endometriosis and PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) are among two of the diseases that are underdiagnosed and where there is a lack of knowledge among the doctors who meet the patients first. But what exactly are the symptoms and how to treat these gynecological diseases? And why is there no more research on these diseases?

Causes and research on PCOS

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?

How is PCOS diagnosed?

The diagnosis is made on the basis that you have at least two out of three symptoms:

Larger ovaries with 20 or more small ovaries in one ovary on ultrasound examination
Irregular menstruation and ovulation
Too high testosterone levels, hair growth, impure skin and pimples

What do we know about PCOS?

The number of eggs in women with PCOS is abnormally high and the eggs make too much testosterone. High testosterone levels can lead to abnormal hair growth on the body and face, pimples, hair loss on the head, high muscle mass and increased sex drive. The menstrual cycle is irregular, infrequent or does not occur at all and leads to a lack of ovulation. Which means that many people need help to get pregnant. The women also have predispositions for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which can lead to cardiovascular disease if left untreated. Obesity in two out of three and sleep apnea is also something PCOS brings with it. Decreased hormone control of sugar (insulin) can lead to type 2 diabetes. Many women with PCOS experience lower quality of life, anxiety and depression.

Is there treatment for PCOS?

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.

Assessment by a doctor

At the doctor's, you will go through the medical history and look at characteristic features. This often gives rise to a suspicion that makes one proceed with examinations and gynecological examination. The small cysts on the ovaries can be made using ultrasound, but not in everyone. Blood tests can reveal abnormal hormone levels and give 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 get the right treatment to get control of hormone levels, blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure.

It is important to have good knowledge about PCOS for both the therapist and the woman herself in order to be able to prevent later illness as a consequence of the imbalance in the body's many systems. The general practitioners and gynecologists at Dr.Dropin have good knowledge of women's health and can assist in the investigation and treatment of the disease.

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How can we at Dr.Dropin help you?

At Dr.Dropin, we have general practitioners and gynecologists who have good knowledge of women's health and we focus on this in our internal training program. All our doctors receive regular lectures on women's health and gynecology from experienced specialists in the field.

Our own gynecologist Azita Mahmoudaner specializes in fertility and is writing a doctorate on PCOS. Endometriosis is also one of her core areas.

You can book an appointment in one of our clinics with both a general practitioner and a gynecologist. At the gynecologist you will have an ultrasound performed. We put women's health first and want to meet our patients with care and high professional competence.

Meet our gynecologists

Do not hesitate to get in touch

Do you have more questions about endometriosis or other gynecological diseases? Contact us or we will help you as best we can.

Click here to book an appointment with one of our gynecologists or general practitioners.Click here to contact us.

Author: GP Anne Marte Ladim
Last updated: 12.07.2022