Medical Mumbo Jumbo

So I mentioned in previous posts that I have PCOS, which is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and FVL,  which is Factor V Leiden. I'm going to try and explain these as best I can and without too much medical-ese, for lack of a better word! :)

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a disorder that affects 10% of premenopausal women. Diagnosis begins with a medical history, physical exam, pelvic exam, blood tests, and vaginal ultrasound. PCOS is confirmed with the presence of at least two of the following symptoms: oligomenorrhea(no period) or anovulation(no ovulation), clinical and/or biochemical signs of hyperandrogenism(too many androgens, or 'male' hormones), and polycystic(lots of 'cysts'!) ovaries.
  Some of the other symptoms may include acne, weight gain, infertility, and insulin resistance. Many women have difficulty losing weight and being overweight causes more severe symptoms. This vicious cycle can lead many women to experience low self-esteem, and sometimes depression. ‘Polycystic’ means multiple cysts and can be misleading; it actually refers to the numerous follicles below the surface of one or both ovaries, and not actual cysts. Due to the hormonal disturbance, approximately twice as many follicles than is normal will develop, resulting in slightly larger ovaries.
  The exact cause of this syndrome is still unknown. The two main disturbances are an imbalance of sex hormones, produced by the ovaries and an increase in insulin production, or insulin resistance. There seems to be a genetic influence, with PCOS being more prevalent in woman with a family history of Type II Diabetes. It is also possible that it can be inherited from either parent; in men it may manifest as premature balding (prior to the age of 30). There is currently research being done to determine the gene or genes responsible; genes that control insulin, sex hormone production & action, and control weight are of particular interest.
  Current treatment focuses on management of the symptoms, as there is no cure for PCOS. There are medications that can be taken to regulate your menstrual cycle, help ovulation, and/or reduce excessive hair growth. If pregnancy is not a goal, low dose birth control that contains a combination of synthetic estrogen and progesterone may be advisable. They will decrease androgen production and give the body a break from the effects of constant estrogen. This also decreases the risk of endometrial cancer and corrects abnormal bleeding. Another option would be to take progesterone for 10-14 days each month. This would regulate the cycle, but does not improve androgen levels.
  A surprising treatment option is the use of Metformin(Glucophage), which is a medication used to treat Type II Diabetes. It improves ovulation and helps regulate the menstrual cycle. It can also slow the progression of diabetes and aid in weight loss if paired with a healthy diet and exercise. Clomiphene Citrate (Clomid) is an anti-estrogen medication that is to be taken in the first part of the menstrual cycle and induces ovulation. If Clomid alone does not work, the addition of Metformin may do the trick. Gonadotropins, Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and Luteinizing hormone (LH) can be administered by injection and also induce ovulation.
  For women who are anovulatory, and develop adverse side effects from other treatments, there is the option of laparoscopic ovarian diathermy, also known as ovarian drilling. It is not commonly used, but can be a last resort. It is a surgical treatment where electrocautery or a laser is used to destroy a portion of the ovary. Doing this may restore regular ovulatory cycles; studies have shown that ovarian drilling results in an 80% ovulation rate and a 50% pregnancy rate.

 That was actually from a research paper I wrote on PCOS for my biology class last semester. I think it brings a lot of information to the table, but if there's anything that doesn't make sense, please, don't hesitate to ask!! The second half of this post is going to have to wait, because it's past my bedtime!! :)

Have a great Thursday!!