Bilateral Polycystic Ovaries: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Medically Reviewed by Dr K. Hari Chandana MBBS, MS
What are Bilateral Polycystic Ovaries
Bilateral polycystic ovaries are a characteristic feature of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), an endocrine disorder that affects women of reproductive age.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common condition that affects the hormonal levels in the body. It causes irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, and infertility. People with bilateral polycystic ovaries are at a higher risk of developing health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure.
Bilateral PCOS is the same as polycystic ovarian syndrome, in which both ovaries are affected. Bilateral PCOS is an endocrine complaint that affects 26% of the female population.
Polycystic ovarian morphology is an ultrasonographic finding that can be present in women with ovulatory disorders and oligomenorrhea due to hypothalamic, pituitary, and ovarian dysfunction.
The ovaries in women produce eggs monthly, which leads to ovulation and periods in women every month. In bilateral Pcos, multiple excrescences (cysts) are developed on the ovaries, leading to the production of androgen hormones, which results in an irregular or late onset of the period.
It’s a serious medical condition that requires a proper opinion and the correct medicine or surgical treatment. Women with bilateral PCOS disease are likely to develop serious health problems, which include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure,problems related to the heart, and uterine cancer. They also have difficulty conceiving.
How do I identify bilateral PCOS?
- Ovulatory dysfunction: women who have an irregular period that lasts longer than 45 days are at risk for ovulatory dysfunction.
- Hyperandrogenism: Increase in androgen position in the body in the blood test done, due to which there is thinning of crown hair and acne on the face.
- Polycystic ovaries: when you have bilateral pcos, follicle development is seen in ovaries, which are fluid-filled sacs. It can lead to tubercle (excrescence) conformation, leading to androgen products in the body that affect your well-being. It is mainly the bilateral polycystic ovarian pattern that is seen.
- Doctors may do an ultrasound or blood test to make the diagnosis.
What hormones affect PCOS?
Hormonal imbalance disrupts the menstrual cycle, ovulation, and conception. The hormones that play a major role in PCOS are:
- Oestrogen
- Progesterone
- Luteinizing hormone
- Follicle-stimulating hormone
- Insulin
- Androgens
These hormones are like a web and the function of the reproductive system relies on its balance
What are the symptoms of PCOS?
- Delayed or irregular periods: women complain of irregular or delayed periods
- Severe abdominal cramps and clots during periods: women have severe abdominal pain during periods, and blood clots are seen during blood inflow.
- Hair fall, or thinning of hair, is seen due to an increase in androgen position in the body.
- Weight gain is seen, especially near the belly area.
- Hirsutism is a condition where thick, dark hair grows on the body, like on the face, chin, and chest.
- Itching in v-area due to poor vaginal health
- Severe abdominal pain: severe abdominal pain due to cramps and clots is seen.
- Painful bowel movement
What are the Causes of PCOS?
- Overproduction of androgen hormone: Excrescences of conformation on the ovaries lead to an increase in androgen hormone in the body, causing overproduction.
- Conformation of excrescences (cysts) in bilateral ovaries
- Poor metabolism and digestion: with an increase in body weight and disturbed sleep cycle, poor metabolism and digestion are seen.
- Poor lifestyle
- Obesity, lack of exercise, and inactivity Lack of exercise and reduced inactivity lead to obesity, due to which insulin position in the body also increases, making the person lethargic and feel tired.
- Disturbed sleep cycle
- Increase in a stress position
Diagnosis and Tests
How is PCOS diagnosed?
For an opinion of PCOS, women should meet two criteria: irregular ovulation, which leads to irregular periods, or a lack of periods. An increase in androgen position in the body can be detected by a blood test.
Which test will be done for the opinion of PCOS?
Ultrasound to detect the presence of bilateral bulky polycystic ovaries
Blood test to describe (detect) androgen position in the body.
Operation and Treatment
1. Treatment of bilateral PCOS
Treatment of PCOS depends on various factors like age, the inflexibility of symptoms, and your health.
2. Medications:
Doctors will define respective medicines depending on the symptoms and their opinion after the blood test and sonography are done. therapy. It can vary from birth control pills to progestin therapy depending on symptoms like the absence of ovulation, excess hair growth, and irregular periods. It is necessary to consult the doctor and take specific medications as prescribed.
3. Insulin-sensitizing medicine
Metformin medicine is used to treat diabetes. It is a workshop on the process of insulin in the body. Once insulin is controlled, an enhancement in the menstrual cycle is seen.
4. Weight reduction:
For women with bilateral PCOS, their body weight increases. So weight reduction is necessary. With the help of weight loss, you can lower androgen levels in the body, which helps reduce symptoms related to pcos. With the help of a dietician and a proper exercise routine, maintaining body weight is possible.
5. Sleep routine
Sleep disturbances are seen in people with bilateral pcos. It is beneficial to get eight to ten hours of sleep daily. It is necessary to avoid conditions that lead to sleep disturbances. Women should avoid having fatty foods at night to improve their quality of sleep.
6. Life changes
Exercising daily and planning your diurnal conditioning (daily activities) will be helpful in bringing about a life change. Reduce the input of carbohydrates and reused food particulars, which are in the treatment of bilateral PCOS. Along with exercise programs, women can also follow yoga, pilates, and jogging as part of exercise governance.
Still, the treatment plan may change in terms of which specific medications are used to cause ovulation. These specific medications will help the ovaries release the egg naturally. Medications like clomiphene and letrozole are prescribed. Gonadotropins, if necessary, are mostly given by injection.
Invitro fertilization (IVF): This is helpful when medical treatment fails to induce ovulation. It is the laboratory oratorical method where the egg is fertilized by the sperm.
If the woman doesn’t want to conceive, birth control pills are prescribed, which help to control menstrual cycles and reduce androgen levels in the body.
Which food is best for PCOS?
- Olive oil
- Omega-3-rich food: fish, salmon, baked or boiled
- Protein-rich legumes like beans rather than meat.
Home Remedy
Natural supplements for pcos
- Mulethi or licorece
- Flax seeds
- Cinnamon
- Omega-3 supplements of fish oil
- Aloe Vera gel
- Nirgundi or chasteberry
Prevention of PCOS
How can I reduce the risk of PCOS?
- Maintaining a healthy weight: Weight reduction helps to reduce insulin and androgen levels in the body and helps to restore ovulation.
- Limit carbohydrate intake in daily food, which will help control insulin levels in the body.
- Exercise regularly: Regular exercise helps to lower blood sugar levels in the body and helps to remain physically fit and active.
Outlook/Prognosis
Symptoms like missed or irregular periods, acne, infertility, weight gain, and excessive hair growth are mostly seen.
PCOS cannot be cured completely, but diagnosis at an early stage helps manage the symptoms with proper medications and an exercise routine to reduce further long-term complications and improve the quality of life.
Women who show irregular periods, late periods, the presence of acne, and excessive hair growth on the face and other parts of the body
Women with PCOS can develop serious health problems like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and uterine cancer. PCOS women face difficulty conceiving.
Yes. It’s a treatable condition with proper diagnosis and treatment at the correct time. Proper medications with the help of a gynecologist can help a woman ovulate. Along with medications, assisted reproductive treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF) can be helpful.
There isn’t a complete cure for PCOS, but the symptoms can be controlled with a proper diagnosis and adequate treatment.
Hormonal changes in menopause resolve the symptoms of PCOS. If the symptoms affect a person’s quality of life, it’s better to consult a healthcare provider for the correct treatment.
The PCOS diet plan must include fruits in daily life. Fruits like red grapes, apples, cherries, blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries are helpful in lowering the glycemic index (GI), which is helpful for insulin sensitivity.
- Fried foods like potato chips, chicken, and french fries
- Saturated fats like butter
- Red meat
- Processed snacks like cakes, cookies, and candies.
- Cardiovascular disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Endometrial cancer
- Cholesterol and blood fat abnormalities
- Sleep disorders like sleep apnea
- Depression and anxiety.
- Be physically active
- Maintain an ideal weight for the body
- Limit carbohydrates in daily diet plan
- If excess hair growth or acne is the worrying factor, it’s better to consult a dermatologist for accurate treatment.
Conclusion
PCOS is a complex condition in women that affects the psychological, reproductive, and metabolic features of the body. Talk to the doctor if you feel any of the symptoms. It can help you get pregnant if you are planning a pregnancy. When the diagnosis is made at an early stage, it helps prevent long-term complications in the body.