BY: M’BALU KANU

Alexis Washington

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

Words You Need To Know

Hormones Chemical messengers that transfer signals from one

cell to another

Cyst A closed sac that may contain air, fluids, or semi-solid

material.

Infertility It is defined as not being able to get pregnant after at

least one year of trying

What is PCOS?

It is an endocrine disorder commonly characterized by enlarged ovaries with multiple small cysts.

Fun Fact PCOS was originally

discovered by Stein-Leventhal in 1935 when they performed a study on a group of women with abnormal periods, infertility, and abnormal hair growth

What is PCOS? Cont.

PCOS is a health problem that can effect a woman's menstrual cycle, ability to have children, hormones, heart, blood vessels, and appearance

Fun Fact Most researchers think

that PCOS runs in the family due to the fact that most women who have PCOS tend to have a sister or mother with PCOS as well.

So What?

SYMPTOMS Signs of PCOS are abnormal hair growth,

irregular periods, over production of male hormones, acne, pelvic pain, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Quiz Question What is the main function of the endocrine system?

Causes of PCOS

PCOS is caused partially by the over-production of male hormones and the cysts on the ovaries. Normal hormone cycles are disrupted. Hormones

regulate different functions throughout the body. Thus the abnormal hair growth

In PCOS, eggs build up in the ovaries and form the cysts, this build up results in low levels of female hormones and high levels of male hormones Thus the abnormal periods and abnormal hair growth

• Fun Fact• PCOS is often diagnosed by gyaecologists

Major Result of PCOS

PCOS can result in infertility due to the cysts present on the ovaries.

What can you do to treat it?

Fertility Medication Losing the ability to have children is a huge aspect of

PCOS, fertility medication allows women with PCOS to ovulate

Diabetes medication Lowers testosterone production, slows abnormal hair

growth, and ovulation may return

Birth control Birth control helps to control menstrual periods and reduce

the over production of male hormones

Fun Fact Hirsutism is the term used for abnormal hair growth in

women

What can you do to treat it? cont.

Women can also undergo surgery known as ovarian drilling.

A doctor inserts a telescope into your bellybutton and pokes your ovary with a needle destroying a small portion of the ovary

This procedure lowers the amount of testosterone being produced dramatically

PCOS Post-Quiz

What is the major result of PCOS?

What is the surgery to treat PCOS called?

What major system is effected by PCOS?

What year was PCOS discovered?

What is one of the symptoms of PCOS?

For More Information

Visit: http://www.4woman.gov/FAQ/pcos.htm or contact the National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC) at 1-800-994-9662

References

"Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome." womenshealth.gov. April 2007. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. 30 Jun 2008 http://www.4woman.gov/FAQ/pcos.htm#i .

Images. http://www.healthline.com/adamimage?contentId=1-000369&id=1109.

Intial ppt. image. http://www.nutrexsolutions.com/wp-content/images/2_1.jpg

Ledger, Author's first name initialWL, & Clark, T (2006). LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF POLYCYSTIC OVARY. Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. 33,

Wikipedia: Hirsutism. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hirsutism