Research Paper on PCOS: Complex Pathophysiology and Diagnosis

Introduction

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder that is characterized by chronic anovulation (Garg & Tal, 2016). Depending on the criteria of diagnostic, 6% to 20% of reproductive-aged women are affected (Garg & Tal, 2016). The symptoms of PCOS can be seen in the early years of puberty and is characterized by anovulation, irregular menstrual cycle, and acne.

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Pathophysiology of PCOS

The disease has complex pathophysiology, which makes it difficult to identify its causes. Excessive production of insulin is one of the factors that contribute to the pathophysiology of the disorder.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows the body to use sugars. If the body cells are resistant to the effect of insulin, the blood sugars are high leading to the production of more insulin (Garg & Tal, 2016).

Excess insulin causes the production of androgen, leading to difficulties in ovulation. There are also heredity causes of polycystic ovary syndrome, where specific genes get linked to the disorder.

Maladaptive and Physiological Responses

Women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome have specific maladaptive responses that may assist them in coping with the disorder.

Passive coping is the most common maladaptive response strategy that may help women with dealing with compromised quality of life and depression syndrome that mostly affect women with the disorder (Zangeneh, 2017). It is, therefore, essential to incorporate psychosocial aspects when caring and counseling women with PCOS.

Education and other coping strategies may get used to improve psychosocial support in women with the disorder. On the other hand, physiological responses are different from maladaptive responses as it requires some modifications in the lifestyle of the individual.

There is a need for exercise and a well-balanced diet. They are essential in improving the body composition, cardiometabolic profile, including sensitivity to insulin and blood lipids (Zangeneh, 2017).

Such responses lead to improved ovulatory function and pregnancy. Another answer is weight reduction, which helps to improve the reproductive and metabolic service of the individual.

PCOS Drugs

Different drugs can get used in the treatment of the symptoms associated with PCOS. There are specific drugs used to regulate the menstrual cycle. They include a combination of birth control pills. The pills contain progestin and estrogen that assist in reducing the level of androgen production (Escobar-Morreale, 2018). These pills help in regulating hormones and which lower the risks of one getting abnormal bleeding, acne, excess hair growth, and endometrial cancer.

There are also drugs used to help one ovulate. The first one is clomiphene, which is an oral anti-estrogen drug that gets taken in the first part of the menstrual cycle (Escobar-Morreale, 2018).

Letrozole can be used to stimulate the ovaries. Metformin is used to improve insulin resistance and lowers the levels of insulin in the body (Escobar-Morreale, 2018).

References

Escobar-Morreale, H. F. (2018). Polycystic ovary syndrome: definition, etiology, diagnosis, and treatment. Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 14(5), 270.

Garg, D., & Tal, R. (2016). The role of AMH in the pathophysiology of the polycystic ovarian syndrome. Reproductive biomedicine online, 33(1), 15-28.

Zangeneh, F. Z. (2017). Polycystic ovary syndrome and sympathoexcitation: management of stress and lifestyle. J Biol Today World, 6(8), 146-54.