what is poly syst ovaries (PCO)?
97542
it is when your eggs mature to get ready for you rcycle and then the sacks fill up with water. it doesnt really hurt nor is it dangerous. until later in life when you are at higher risk of developing diebetes.  some symptoms are hair growth, slightly darker skin patches or weight gain and harder to lose it.
1128973
Not enough detail.  Could be as noted above, or muscle, bone, kidney, other feminine problem (ovarian cyst), etc.
254047
If you've got pcos, definately talk to your doctor, they have a drug, metformin, that will regulate your glucose and insulin and even out your hormones, making your cycle more regualar and easier for you to get pregnant.  But your doctor will want to do blood tests.  I had them done and it turns out although I thought I had pcos, I don't and there's something else messing up my hormons.  An obgyn that specializes in pcos or an endrocronoligist will be able to help you.  Good luck!
168034
I'm sorry, but there is no cure for PCOS.  There are several ways to manage it though.  Diet, exercise, birth control, on so forth.  \n\nYou should talk to your doctor about your options.
70537
I have PCOS.  I have thinning hair, hair in other places (facial), overweight, no period in about a year, heart murmur, boarderline high blood pressure, infertility, acanthosis nigricans and undiagnosed insulin resistance.  There are probably more that are conected to PCOS.  From what I have read PCOS and insulin resistance go hand in hand with most women - which causes the hormonal imbalance.  I'm trying to find a more natural way of controling the PCOS and IR through vitamins, herbs, low carb diet, exercise and support from other women with PCOS.
1183649
I do, and it is horrible for me!\n\nFor those who don't have it, PCOS is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.  It is when a woman does not ovulate properly.  The egg remains trapped in the ovary, causing a "pearl necklace" appearance on her ovaries.  It is not contagious nor anything to be freaked out by.  Other symptoms of PCOS include: being prone to diabetes later in life, overweight, underweight, excessive body hair, thinning hair on head, mood swings, depression, fertility issues, skin tags, discoloration of skin (neck), irregular periods. Researchers have hinted that it may be entirely genetic.\n\nI am trying to have a baby, but can't seem to conceive.  This causes depression.  I'm in a slump.  (It's only been 3 years!)\n\nJust be sure to follow your doctor's directions.  Many prescribe birth control pills to straighten out your hormones.  Some also prescribe Metformin, a diabetic drug, to help regulate the ovaries.
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The most common conventional treatment would be metformin.  Metformin is an insulin regulating drug often given to women with PCOS.  It helps to control the high levels of insulin that go along with IR (insulin resistance).  It's thought that in PCOS patients with IR, high levels of insulin also cause the ovaries to produce too many male hormones, so metformin can also help with other PCOS symptoms as well.  I take metformin for PCOS and for high lipids caused by IR.\n\nTwo natural remedies come to mind: vanadyl sulfate and cinnamon.  Vanadyl sulfate, or vanadium, has shown mixed results in scientific studies but is thought to increase the body's sensitivity to insulin.  Cinnamon has been shown to reduce blood glucose levels.  I take a combined vanadyl sulfate/cinnamon supplement.\n\nDiet and exercise, of course, are very important.  PCOS patients are often advised to follow a diet low in processed carbohydrates and sugar due to the connection between PCOS and insulin problems.  I eat a low fat, very low cholesterol, high fiber, vegetarian diet and I try to exercise every day.\n\nUnfortunately there is no cure for PCOS.  We can only treat the symptoms and the underlying problem of insulin resistance.
1008783
I also have PCOS, and, unfortunately, it cannot be cured.  However, it can be managed!  Here are some common treatments for PCOS (I have managed mine by losing weight and being on birth control pills, and I have regular periods now for the first time in 6 years):\n\nBirth control pills. For women who don’t want to become pregnant, birth control pills can regulate menstrual cycles, reduce male hormone levels, and help to clear acne. However, the birth control pill does not cure PCOS. The menstrual cycle will become abnormal again if the pill is stopped. Women may also think about taking a pill that only has progesterone, like Provera, to regulate the menstrual cycle and prevent endometrial problems. But progesterone alone does not help reduce acne and hair growth.\n\nDiabetes Medications. The medicine, Metformin, also called Glucophage, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes, also helps with PCOS symptoms. Metformin affects the way insulin regulates glucose and decreases the testosterone production. Abnormal hair growth will slow down and ovulation may return after a few months of use. These medications will not cause a person to become diabetic.\n\nFertility Medications. The main fertility problem for women with PCOS is the lack of ovulation. Even so, her husband’s sperm count should be checked and her tubes checked to make sure they are open before fertility medications are used. Clomiphene (pills) and Gonadotropins (shots) can be used to stimulate the ovary to ovulate. PCOS patients are at increased risk for multiple births when using these medications. In vitro Fertilization (IVF) is sometimes recommended to control the chance of having triplets or more. Metformin can be taken with fertility medications and helps to make PCOS women ovulate on lower doses of medication.\n\nMedicine for increased hair growth or extra male hormones. If a woman is not trying to get pregnant there are some other medicines that may reduce hair growth. Spironolactone is a blood pressure medicine that has been shown to decrease the male hormone’s effect on hair. Propecia, a medicine taken by men for hair loss, is another medication that blocks this effect. Both of these medicines can affect the development of a male fetus and should not be taken if pregnancy is possible. Other non-medical treatments such as electrolysis or laser hair removal are effective at getting rid of hair. A woman with PCOS can also take hormonal treatment to keep new hair from growing.\n\nSurgery. Although it is not recommended as the first course of treatment, surgery called ovarian drilling is available to induce ovulation. The doctor makes a very small incision above or below the navel, and inserts a small instrument that acts like a telescope into the abdomen. This is called laparoscopy. The doctor then punctures the ovary with a small needle carrying an electric current to destroy a small portion of the ovary. This procedure carries a risk of developing scar tissue on the ovary. This surgery can lower male hormone levels and help with ovulation. But these effects may only last a few months. This treatment doesn't help with increased hair growth and loss of scalp hair.\n\nA healthy weight. Maintaining a healthy weight is another way women can help manage PCOS. Since obesity is common with PCOS, a healthy diet and physical activity help maintain a healthy weight, which will help the body lower glucose levels, use insulin more efficiently, and may help restore a normal period. Even loss of 10% of her body weight can help make a woman's cycle more regular.
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Ovarian Cyst Definition\nAn ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops near the surface of the ovary. The ovaries are two small organs on each side of a woman's uterus that produce eggs and female hormones. Mostly an ovarian cyst is small and benign (not cancerous). However, the larger ovarian cyst can cause pain and other problems. A woman can develop one or many ovarian cysts.\n\nOvarian Cyst Causes\nStructures called follicles normally grow in the ovaries each month. They produce hormones and release an egg during ovulation. In some cases, follicles may become cysts. There are two main types: \n\nFunctional cyst – occurs when a normal monthly follicle does not mature properly and the egg is not released. These cysts often go away on their own within one to three menstrual cycles.\nFollicular cyst – can occur after an egg is released. These cysts usually go away on their own in a few weeks.\n\nMost ovarian cysts are functional cysts and only occur during childbearing years. Many other, less common types of benign cysts can also develop from ovarian tissue. For example, women with endometriosis may develop endometriomas. Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue from the uterine lining grows outside the uterus. Endometriomas are cysts that grow from the uterine tissue on an ovary.\n\nPolycystic ovary syndrome is also associated with cysts. Women with this condition have several small cysts in their ovaries.\n\nA very small percentage of women have cysts that are caused by cancer.\n\nOvarian Cyst Risk Factors\nA risk factor is something that increases your chances of getting a disease or condition. The main risk factor for ovarian cyst is being a woman of childbearing age.\n\nOvarian Cyst Symptoms\nMost ovarian cysts do not cause symptoms. When they do, pelvic pain and irregular menstrual bleeding are the two most common symptoms. Pain is usually caused by: \n\nDirect pressure from the cysts on the ovaries and surrounding structures. This causes chronic pelvic fullness or a dull ache.\nBleeding from a cyst into and around the ovary. This causes more intense, sharp pain.\n\nPain may come and go on a regular basis. Or, it may become more noticeable just before or after a period or during intercourse.\n\nOther symptoms may include: \n\nUrinary discomfort associated with bladder pressure or irritation\nNausea\nDiarrhea\n\nIn rare cases, an ovarian cyst may become twisted and cut off its own blood supply. This can cause severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and fever. This requires immediate medical attention.\n\nOvarian Cyst Diagnosis\nThe doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a pelvic exam. This includes feeling the ovaries. ovarian cysts are often found during routine pelvic exams when there are no symptoms.\n\nIf a cyst is suspected or found on physical exam, the doctor may recommend a pelvic ultrasound. This is a test that uses sound waves to create images of the ovaries, from which the doctor can determine the type and size of the cyst, and if treatment is needed.\n\nOther tests or procedures may be used if a cyst: \n\nDoes not go away after several menstrual cycles\nGets larger and more painful\nDoes not appear to be a simple functional cyst\n\nOther tests may include: \n\nLaparoscopy – A thin, lighted tube and other small instruments are inserted through several tiny incisions in the abdomen to look at the ovaries directly, drain fluid from a cyst, or take a sample for biopsy.\nBlood test for the protein CA-125 – This test is done when a cyst is suspected of being cancerous. CA-125 is sometimes elevated in the case of ovarian cancer.\n\nOvarian Cyst Treatment\nTreatment depends on your age, menstrual status, the size and type of the cyst, and your symptoms. The main types of treatment are:\n\nWait and See – This approach involves waiting a few months to see if the cyst goes away on its own.\n\nBirth Control Pills – If you have a functional cyst, your doctor may prescribe bi
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Women with PCOS can be at an increased risk for developing several other conditions. Irregular menstrual periods and the absence of ovulation cause women to produce the hormone estrogen, but not the hormone progesterone. Without progesterone, which causes the endometrium to shed each month as a menstrual period, the endometrium becomes thick, which can cause heavy bleeding or irregular bleeding. Eventually, this can lead to endometrial hyperplasia or cancer. Women with PCOS are also at higher risk for diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Getting the symptoms under control at an earlier age may help to reduce this risk.
274839
I too have PCOS. I've talked to my OBGYN and she said that Im very fertile. They put me on birth control pills which really seemed to help
925355
Worry about what?\n\nPCOS refers to multiple cysts on the ovaries and a host of other problems that go along with them, including anovulation (lack of ovulation) and menstrual abnormalities, hirsutism (facial hair), male pattern baldness, acne, and often obesity. Such women may also have varying degrees of insulin resistance and an increased incidence of Type II diabetes, unfavorable lipid patterns (usually high triglycerides), and a low bone density. Laboratory tests often show higher than normal circulating androgens, especially testosterone.\n\nPCOS occurs when a woman doesn't ovulate, which causes a disruption in the normal, cyclical interrelationship among her hormones, brain and ovaries. \n\nFor example, if the follicle migrates to the outside of the ovary, but does not "pop" the egg and release it, the follicle becomes a cyst, and the normal progesterone surge does not occur. The lack of progesterone is detected by the hypothalamus, which continues to try to stimulate the ovary by increasing its production of GnRH, which increases the pituitary production of FSH and LH. This stimulates the ovary to make more estrogen and androgens, which stimulates more follicles toward ovulation. If these additional follicles are also unable to produce a matured ovum or make progesterone, the menstrual cycle is dominated by increased estrogen and androgen production without progesterone. This is the fundamental abnormality that creates PCOS.\n\nIt can be remedied by a natural progesterone cream. This will add progesteron back into the cycle, and allow for normal hormonal cycles to return.\n\n\n\nThe Diet Connection to PCOS\n\nBy far the biggest lifestyle contributor to PCOS is poor diet. Young women with PCOS tend to eat far too much sugar and highly refined carbohydrates. These foods cause an unhealthy rise in insulin levels. According to Jerilyn Prior, M.D., insulin stimulates androgen receptors on the outside of the\novary, causing the typical PCOS symptoms of excess hair (on the face, arms, legs), thin hair (on the head), and acne. \n\nEventually, this type of diet will cause obesity, this will cause insulin resistance (the inability of the cells to take in insulin), which will aggravate the PCOS even more. The androgens\nalso play a role in blocking the release of the egg from the follicle.\n\nWomen, who have a high number of dysfunctional follicles to begin with, due to xenobiotic exposure in the womb, will have worse problems if their diets are high in sugary foods and low in nutrition. Since this is exactly the type of diet favored by teens and young women, it's easy to understand why there is so much PCOS in that age group. Fifty years ago, the average person\nate one pound of sugar a year. Today the average teenager today eats one pound a week! Potato chips, corn chips, pasta and white rice are all highly refined carbohydrates that also act on the body much the same as sugars do.\n\nWhen you look at the whole picture of PCOS, you can understand why the hormone-blocking and insulin-lowering drugs don't work for very long. These approaches don't address the underlying cause of the problem. They only suppress symptoms. Improvement is only temporary and both types of drugs have terribly unpleasant side effects.\n\nBy the same token, you can't just take progesterone, and you can't just cut out the sugar. You usually need to do both. Exercise and good nutrition are also very important in maintaining hormone balance.
1030810
I'm not sure, but this used to happen to my neice all the time.\nThis was before she found out she had polycystic ovary disease(PCOD).\nShe also had bad pain.\nShe later was also diagnosed with kidney stones.\nAfter being treated for the PCOD, the bladder infections stopped and her periods returned to normal.\nHave a gyno check you for it.\nOther symtoms are gaining weight rapidly for no reason,\ntrouble losing weight,\npain on side, (from ovarian cysts),\nirregular periods,\ninfertility,\nbloating,\nbladder infections,\nnausea and vomiting (with active ovarian cysts),\nexcess facial and/or body hair,\nif you have any severe pain or difficulty urinating go to doc ASAP as it could be a ruptured ovarian cyst (which is an emergency), or a kidney stone.
109541
I have PCOS and Im on Metformin. PCOS has to do with the pancreas and how insulin is made. Metformin (aka glucophage) helps restore the insulin you dont make having PCOS. Does it have side effects??? Heck yeah! Im gonna be honest, the first day, most likely youll never leave the bathroom. After that, its ok. Ive lost weight with it and its working. It helps regulate your period and its helped me start ovulating again.
472779
This has nothing to do with PCOS.  It sounds like a possible urinary tract infection to me.
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Ovarian cysts form for numerous reasons. The most common type is a follicular cyst, which results from the growth of a follicle. A follicle is the normal fluid-filled sac that contains an egg. Follicular cysts form when the follicle grows larger than normal during the menstrual cycle and does not open to release the egg. Usually, follicular cysts resolve on their own over the course of days to months. Cysts can contain blood (hemorrhagic or endometrioid cysts) from injury or leakage of tiny blood vessels into the egg sac. If a woman is in her 40's, or younger, and has regular menstrual periods, most ovarian masses are "functioning ovarian cysts," which are not really abnormal. They are related to the process of ovulation that happens with the menstrual cycle. They usually disappear on their own during a future menstrual cycle. Therefore, especially in women in their 20's and 30's, these cysts are watched for a few menstrual cycles to verify that they disappear. Because oral contraceptives work in part by preventing ovulation, physicians will not really expect women who are taking oral contraceptives to have common "functioning ovarian cysts." Thus, women who develop ovarian cysts while taking oral contraceptives may be advised against simple observation; rather, they may receive closer monitoring with pelvic ultrasound or, less commonly, surgical exploration of the ovary. Functional ovarian cysts cannot be prevented if you are ovulating. Anything that makes ovulation less frequent reduces your chance of developing an ovarian cyst. Birth control pills, pregnancy, and breast-feeding in the first 6 months following birth prevent ovulation. Ovulation ceases when menopause is complete. Women who use high-dose birth control pills have a modestly decreased risk of developing functional ovarian cysts; low-dose birth control pills seem to have a less preventive effect.
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It depends on what symptoms you have.  It sounds like you have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rather than simply polycystic ovaries.  The symptoms of PCOS are generally caused by two interconnected problems: insulin resistance and overabundance of androgens.\n\nMost women with PCOS are insulin resistant.  In fact, insulin resistance is thought to be the most common cause of PCOS.  Insulin resistance is a state in which the cells of the body do not respond to insulin as efficiently as they should, so the pancreas produces more and more insulin in an effort to keep blood glucose levels within a normal range.  This problem with glucose metabolism and insulin resistance is often what causes weight gain, difficulty losing weight, dark patches of skin (acanthosis nigricans, or AN), high lipid levels, and skin tags--problems often associated with PCOS.\n\nHigh levels of insulin in the body also affect the ovaries.  It's thought that this causes the ovaries to produce too many androgens (male hormones).  That's where you get the rest of the most common PCOS symptoms: acne, thinning hair, unwanted body hair growth, irregular or no periods, anovulation.\n\nFor many women, metformin is very helpful in treating PCOS.  Metformin is an insulin-regulating drug.  By treating the high levels of insulin found in many PCOS patients, many symptoms can be alleviated.  Some PCOS patients who take metformin even begin ovulating regularly, although metformin is not a fertility drug.\n\nBirth control pills are another common treatment for PCOS.  If the woman does not want to get pregnant, birth control pills are a good way to bring about regular periods, and in some women they can help with acne, hair problems, and other symptoms.\n\nFor severe body hair growth, some women with PCOS take the drug spironolactone.  Some women also need antidepressants, as PCOS can be linked to depression and anxiety.\n\nLastly, but most importantly, diet and exercise cannot be overlooked.  Weight loss is very important for women with PCOS, although for those with insulin resistance it may be difficult.  Because of the strong connection to insulin problems, PCOS patients often are advised to follow a low-carb diet.  It is important to eat less fat and cholesterol as well, because PCOS can be linked to high lipid levels.  \n\nI was diagnosed with PCOS three years ago.  I had only 3-4 periods a year, acne, hair growth, thinning hair, AN, and I was overweight.  I'm a pretty typical case with all of the classic symptoms.  Since then, I've also been diagnosed with insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and high triglycerides.  I'm not trying to get pregnant, I just want to be healthier.  I take metformin, Crestor, and a birth control pill.  I follow a low fat, very low cholesterol, high fiber, vegetarian diet and I try to exercise every day.