Polycystic ovary: symptoms, treatment and diet to follow
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS or also micropolicistic ovary syndrome) is a disorder of the endocrine system that affects women of reproductive age. It is an enlargement of the ovaries that can produce small liquid cysts (hence the term polycystic) which is the most common cause of female infertility related to the absence of ovulation. Worldwide, PCOS affects approximately 5-10 percent of the female population and is therefore the most common gynecological disorder in women of reproductive age. However, many do not know they suffer from this disorder, although some symptoms may already be present before the menarche, and they only notice it when, in an attempt to get pregnant, they do not succeed.
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What are the causes?
The most important cause of polycystic ovary is hyperandrogenism, a hormonal alteration that causes excessive production of male hormones, such as testosterone, in women. As we know, males and females produce both male and female hormones, and it is the balance in hormone production that determines the typical characteristics of men and women. The woman therefore normally produces testosterone in low quantities, and problems arise when she produces too many due to hormonal imbalances. Hyperandrogenism is responsible for hirsutism and, indirectly, for the lack of ovulation (and a consequence of infertility). Researchers have then found an inherited cause of PCOS, although it is still unclear how it is transmitted.
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The most common symptoms of the polycystic ovary
PCOS is characterized by a marked variability of clinical manifestations. The syndrome therefore differs considerably from one patient to another both for the presence or absence of certain symptoms, both for their intensity and for the hormonal alterations detectable with common laboratory tests. In any case, here are the most common symptoms. municipalities of the polycystic ovary:
- Alterations in the menstrual cycle, for example sugar metabolism
- Multiple cysts in the subcortical area of the ovaries, which may resemble a pearl necklace on ultrasound examination
- Significant enlargement of the ovaries due to cysts
- Thick, smooth, pearly colored ovarian surface
- Ratio between LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) levels greater than 2.5
- Low levels of SHBG (sex hormone-carrying globulin)
- Hyperinsulinemia due to increased insulin resistance of peripheral tissues and consequent reduced glucose tolerance
- Recurrent miscarriage
However, PCOS appears to go through various stages over the course of its life. In younger women the problems mainly concern menstruation, while in older women diabetes, spontaneous abortions and hypertension are often found.
The diagnosis of the polycystic ovary
Not all women with PCOS have polycystic ovaries (PCO), and it is equally true that not all women with ovarian cysts have PCOS. Although a "pelvic ultrasound is a fundamental diagnostic tool, it is not the only one. Diagnosis can be difficult, especially due to the considerable variability of symptoms (and this confirms why we are talking about a syndrome and not a disease). diagnosis of PCOS is the exclusion of other dysfunctions - the most common are adrenal hyperplasia, Cushing's syndrome, hypothyroidism and hyperprolactinemia - which can cause similar symptoms. Once these disorders have been ruled out, the doctor will underwrite a series of tests more detailed and in-depth:
- family history
- verification of general health conditions, even a possible significant overweight can favor the onset of PCOS
- blood tests to check hormone levels, especially androgens
The cure
How is the polycystic ovary treated? Since PCOS includes a variety of symptoms, the treating physician may prescribe different medications to solve this problem. In any case, the first suggestion will be about changing your lifestyle, trying to follow a low-calorie diet to lose weight and practicing regular physical activity. This can then be combined with drugs to decrease ovarian androgynous secretion (contraceptive pill), to increase the production of FSH (therapy with clomiphene), to improve the periovaric microenvironment (through metformin) and to increase the intake of folic acid, especially for those who are trying to get pregnant.
The diet to follow to cure the polycystic ovary
As anticipated, to treat the polycystic ovary the doctor can prescribe a low-calorie diet, also to meet the difficulties in processing sugars related to this syndrome. A good way to better follow this diet would be to consume a portion of vegetables per meal (preferably steamed), two or three fruits a day, wholemeal flour (i.e. pasta and bread), brown rice, fish, white meats or lean red meats such as beef, skimmed milk and yogurt, legumes, and obviously a lot of water.
In general, the doctor recommends:
- reduce sugars and complex carbohydrates
- eat lots of fiber
- reduce saturated fat
- eat lots of fruits and vegetables
- avoid meals of only carbohydrates, but eat meals complete with proteins + low sugars + vegetables and fruit (i.e. vitamins and minerals)
The foods to avoid on this diet are:
- butter and other condiments high in saturated fat
- sweets
- fried
- sugary and carbonated drinks
- sausages
- cheeses
- alcoholic
To start the diet with the right spirit, we have prepared a mini vademecum with basic advice, to be able to pursue it successfully:
For more useful information on the polycystic ovary, you can visit the website of the Veronesi Foundation.
Discover detox foods for your body
A good way to follow the right diet to cure polycystic ovary is to take a look at detox foods, which are also important for people with this syndrome and need a large supply of vitamins and minerals.
