Polycystic ovary syndrome history and symptoms
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief:
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Overview
History
Obtaining the history is the most important aspect of making a diagnosis of PCOS. It provides insight into the cause, precipitating factors and associated comorbid conditions. The significant information that needs to focused in the history of the patient includes:[1][2]
- Menstrual abnormalities
- Infertility
- Signs of virilization on physical examination
- Family history of PCOS among first-degree relatives
Symptoms
Common symptoms of PCOS include
- Ovarian Cysts — (also called Polcystic Ovaries or PCO) is not a necessary symptom to be 'PCOS', many do not have cyst issues. Likewise, having cysts does not prove PCOS as many women without any medical problems have cysts at some point in their lives.
- Oligomenorrhea, amenorrhea — irregular, few, or absent menstrual periods; cycles that do occur may be heavy (heavy bleeding is also an early warning sign of endometrial cancer(in post menopausal women), for which women with PCOS are at slightly higher risk)
- Infertility, generally resulting from chronic anovulation (lack of ovulation)
- Elevated serum (blood) levels of androgens (male hormones), specifically testosterone, androstenedione, and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), causing hirsutism and occasionally masculinization
- Dyspareunia — pain during sexual intercourse
- Androgenic alopecia — male-pattern baldness
- Acne, oily skin, seborrhea
- Acanthosis nigricans — dark patches of skin, tan to dark brown or black, a sign of insulin resistance, which is associated with PCOS
- Acrochordons (skin tags) — tiny flaps of skin
- Prolonged periods of PMS-like symptoms (bloating, mood swings, pelvic pain, backaches)
- Infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
- Weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
- Pelvic pain
- Anxiety or depression due to appearance and/or infertility
- Sleep apnea (excessive snoring and times when breathing stops while asleep)
Mild symptoms of hyperandrogenism, such as acne or hyperseborrhea, are frequent in adolescent girls and are often associated with irregular menstrual cycles. In most instances, these symptoms are transient and only reflect the immaturity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis during the first years following menarche.[3]
References
- ↑ http://www.cfp.ca/cgi/content/full/53/6/1041/T50531041
- ↑ Pedersen SD, Brar S, Faris P, Corenblum B (2007). "Polycystic ovary syndrome: validated questionnaire for use in diagnosis". Canadian family physician Médecin de famille canadien. 53 (6): 1042–7, 1041. PMID 17872783.
- ↑ Christine Cortet-Rudelli, Didier Dewailly (2006). "Diagnosis of Hyperandrogenism in Female Adolescents". Hyperandrogenism in Adolescent Girls. Armenian Health Network, Health.am. Unknown parameter
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