BREAST PAIN

Breast pain is a common problem in younger women who are still having periods (menstrual cycles). It is less common in older women. The pain can be in one breast or in both. It may come and go each month, or it may last for several weeks, or even months.

What causes breast pain?

Many things can cause pain or tenderness in your breasts. Here are some of them:
Hormone changes during your period
Water retention, which may happen during your period
Injury to your breast
Pregnancy
Breast-feeding (nursing)
An infection in the breast
Breast cancer (not a usual cause of breast pain)

If you have breast pain that lasts for a long time or keeps coming back, it’s probably a good idea to talk to your doctor about it.

How can my doctor find the cause of my breast pain?

Your doctor will ask you questions to find the cause of your pain and decide if you need treatment. He or she may ask you to describe the pain and where in your breast area you feel it. Your doctor will also check to see if you have lumps in your breasts.

If you’re younger than 35 years of age and don’t have a breast lump, your doctor might decide that you don’t need any tests. If you’re older than 35 years of age and don’t have a breast lump, your doctor may still want you to get a mammogram. A mammogram is a special x-ray of the breasts.
If you do have a lump (or several lumps) in your breast, your doctor might decide that you need one or more of these tests:

A mammogram
A breast sonogram. This painless test uses sound waves to make a picture of the lump.
A breast biopsy. For this test, some tissue is taken out of your breast and looked at under a microscope.

How is breast pain treated?

There are different treatments for breast pain depending on what is causing it. You and your doctor can talk about these treatments and choose one or more that might work for you. Here are some possible treatments for breast pain:
Wearing a support bra
Taking an over-the-counter pain medicine
Taking danazol (for severe pain)
Other treatments for breast pain are sometimes used. However, there is no proof that these treatments work:
Avoiding caffeine
Using less salt
Taking vitamin E or vitamin B6
Taking a “water-pill” (a diuretic)
Most of the time, breast pain goes away on its own after a few months.

TIPS ON BREAST PAIN RELIEF

Having breast pain does not mean that a woman has breast cancer. A woman with unexplained breast pain should be screened to rule out cancer though.The medical term for breast pain is mastalgia.

Breast pain can be caused by things like the menstrual cycle, cysts or infections. It can be conquered with the use of simple things like changing your diet, vitamins or massage.

Nutrition

Start taking vitamin E supplements. This can help ease reoccurring breast pain. It may take four to six weeks before the benefits are noticed. B6 can help prevent breast pain. It is a natural diuretic that helps release fluid from tissues. This will help with swollen painful breasts.

A fat-filled diet can cause breast pain. Reducing fat intake will help ease the pain. When pain flares up, reduce your intake of cheeseburgers and potato chips. During flare ups, do not indulge in caffeine. This includes coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate that should be cut out of the diet. Limit salt intake. Salt helps the body store fluid and fluid retention has been linked to breast pain.

Other Tips

Daily breast massages can help ease breast pain. Massage increases your circulation which is beneficial for the body. Wear a well-fitting bra to bed. This should be one that does not pinch, squeeze, or pull on the breasts or around the middle. This should be one that holds the breasts in a proper position. Think support not sexy when choosing a bra to wear to bed. Smoking can cause cysts in the breasts so stop smoking. Evening primrose oil may help as well. This herbal supplement can be found in health food stores. Give the herb three months to be effective.

Medical

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen can ease breast pain. NSAIDs reduce swelling due to inflammation and pain. Check which ever over-the-counter medication you choose to make sure that they do not contain caffeine if taking them for breast pain. Hormonal oral contraceptives can also help

They help regulate the menstrual cycle and the effects of that cycle on the body. Be aware that

hormone replacement therapy can cause breast pain if the dosage of estrogen is too strong

Consult your care provider if this may be the case. They can adjust the hormone dosage to give breast pain relief.

HYPOTHYROIDISM DIET

Hypothyroidism occurs if your thyroid gland is not producing enough thyroid hormone. Without enough of this hormone, your body metabolism slows down considerably.

This leads to various symptoms, one of which is weight gain, arguably the most challenging symptom of hypothyroidism. To maintain a proper diet plan is one of the ways to deal with this weight gain.

Make sure that you include the following in your daily diet:

#1. Seafood and other iodine-rich foods
It's no secret that iodine is needed to produce thyroid hormone in your body. If you have hypothyroidism, diet should always include foods that are high in iodine content such as seafood like sushi, seaweed, and saltwater fish. Iodine can also be found in bananas and parsley. Also, you should make sure to use iodized salt instead of plain rock salt in cooking.

#2. Water
You need to drink lots of water, at least 64 ounces or 8 glasses a day. Remember when you are dehydrated, your body stores more fat and making you gain more weight

#3. Fiber
Fiber is beneficial to you if you have hypothyroidism. Diets high in fiber will not only help you lose weight but also promote regularity in your bowel movement and can help lower your cholesterol. How does it make you lose weight? Fiber makes you feel full so it lessens your hunger levels, and will simply make you burn more calories. Most fruits and vegetables are high in fiber content.

#4. Coconut Oil
It has been identified that consumption of coconut oil stimulates the production of thyroid hormone. It increases your metabolism and is considered as an energy booster but this should be taken in moderation, appropriate to your age and body structure.

#5. Green Tea
Green tea helps you lose weight by raising your metabolism and also through fat oxidation. You can start drinking a cup of green tea everyday.

#6. Tyrosine-rich Foods
Tyrosine is needed for your thyroid hormone production. Increase your intake of lean meats, fish, lentils, and low-fat milk as these are rich in tyrosine.

#7. Selenium-rich Foods
Just like tyrosine, this is also important in helping to produce your thyroid hormone. Foods such as tuna, brown rice, Brazil nuts, and salmon can provide the selenium that your body needs.
You can expect to gain weight when you have this condition. If you have hypothyroidism, diet should be chosen carefully to be able to help your thyroid in producing the hormone. With this, you can control your symptoms as well as avoid the possible complications.

INTRODUCTION

Hypothyroidism occurs when the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone to meet the body’s needs. Without enough thyroid hormone, many of the body’s functions slow down.

Women are much more likely than men to develop hypothyroidism.

The thyroid is a 2-inch-long, butterfly-shaped gland weighing less than an ounce It is located in the front of the neck below the larynx, or voice box, and comprises two lobes, one on either side of the windpipe.

The thyroid is one of a group of glands that are part of the endocrine system.The endocrine glands produce, store, and release hormones into the bloodstream that travel through the body and direct the activity of the body’s cells.

Thyroid hormones regulate metabolism, which is the way the body uses energy, and affect nearly every organ in the body.
The thyroid gland makes two thyroid hormones, triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4). Thyroid hormones affect metabolism, brain development, breathing, heart and nervous system functions, body temperature, muscle strength, skin dryness, menstrual cycles, weight, and cholesterol levels.

A third hormone produced by specialized cells in the thyroid gland, calcitonin, affects calcium levels in the blood and the buildup of calcium in the bones. Calcitonin is not considered a thyroid hormone.
Thyroid hormone production is regulated by thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), which is made by the pituitary gland. Located in the brain, the pituitary gland is the “master gland” of the endocrine system.

PAIN IN PERIODS

Painful menstrual periods are periods in which a woman experiences crampy lower abdominal pain, sharp pain that comes and goes, aching pain, or possibly back pain.

Painful menstruation affects many women. For a small number of women, the discomfort makes it difficult to perform normal household, job, or school-related activities for a few days during each menstrual cycle. Painful menstruation is the leading cause of lost time from school and work among women in their teens and 20s.
The pain may begin several days before, or just at the start of your period. It generally subsides as menstrual bleeding tapers off.
Although some pain during menstruation is normal, excessive pain is not. The medical term for excessively painful periods is dysmenorrhea.
There are two general types of dysmenorrhea:
Primary dysmenorrhea refers to menstrual pain that occurs in otherwise healthy women. This type of pain is not related to any specific problems with the uterus or other pelvic organs.
Secondary dysmenorrhea is menstrual pain that is attributed to some underlying disease or structural abnormality, either within or outside of the uterus.
Activity of the hormone prostaglandin, produced in the uterus, is thought to be a factor in primary dysmenorrhea. This hormone causes contraction of the uterus and levels tend to be much higher in women with severe menstrual pain than in women who experience mild or no menstrual pain.

Causes

Endometriosis
Fibroids
Intrauterine Device (IUD)
Ovarian cysts
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Sexually transmitted diseases
Stress and anxiety

Home Care

The following steps may allow you to avoid prescription medications:
Apply a heating pad to your lower abdomen (below your belly button). Be careful NOT to fall asleep with the heating pad on.
Do light circular massage with your fingertips around your lower abdomen.
Drink warm beverages.
Eat light but frequent meals.
Follow a diet rich in complex carbohydrates such as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, but low in salt, sugar, alcohol, and caffeine.
Keep your legs elevated while lying down, or lie on your side with your knees bent.
Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga.
Try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medicine, such as ibuprofen.
Try vitamin B6, calcium, and magnesium supplements, especially if your pain is from PMS.
Take warm showers or baths.
Walk or exercise regularly, including pelvic rocking exercises.

HOW TO GET FIT AND SMART AFTER DELIVERY

Life becomes a roller coaster ride after child birth. Thee mother’s weight shoot up and there is no physical exercise to control it. Nonetheless, following these rituals will help you get back into shape;

WALKING

Walking briskly for an hour every day will help you shed that flab fast and keep you healthy.

EXERCISE

Exercise tones your body and helps you retain your original shape. Tummy and butt exercise are the best bet

FOOD

A Whole some diet full of green vegetables, fresh fruits, salads, milk will keep you hale and hearty with adding pounds. Instead of eating two big meals a day, opt for 3-4 short bites. Avoid ghee rich diet.

Pregnancy Back Pain Remedies

Want some pregnancy back pain remedies? Apply these useful tips to avoid any painful and uncomfortable states during pregnancy.

Besides other unfortunate and often painful issues, pregnant women might also struggle with back pains. This problem doesn't spare them from aches and burns generated by hormonal changes and extra pounds. There are several methods to alleviate this problem however the most efficient ones proved to be mild physical exercises, massaging and other natural methods rather than medication. Here are some of the most popular remedies for pregnancy back pain.

Professionals already demonstrated that prenatal Yoga offers huge benefits for all kind of problems during pregnancy. Indeed it is widely known that these soothing exercises combined with breathing keep in shape and healthy the body and soul of mommies.

Those who would like to engage into a similar activity, should look for special courses and sessions designed for pregnant women. The yoga teacher will help you in finding the best activities that can help you in coping with severe back pains and other health problems. Moreover this workout will ease the natural delivery radically.

Posture has an essential role when it comes of dealing with back pain. Always take good care of adopting a good posture. It is vital to sit straight and use a stool for your feet, this way alleviating the actual pains.

Pull your shoulders slightly backwards and keep your head straight without bending forward. These are only simple instructions that can save your from serious pains. Follow them with attention and make yourself a good day reducing the chance for any back pains.

Resting is essential, your back might feel the pressure and start to ache if you avoid sleeping enough. Relaxation is highly recommended not only because of back pain but in general all throughout pregnancy. It is the perfect time to use your spare hours for some rest.

Massaging has great benefits especially when your back, neck and feet muscles are tired and exhausted. Ask either your partner or contact a professional masseur to pamper your body with some simple techniques. Prenatal massage is pretty popular nowadays, used as a remedy for all kinds of health issues without using any artificial help as medications. Learn more about the most simple massaging tricks that can relieve the daily pains.

Later you won't be able to enjoy the same freedom as before. The back pain can be best alleviated with tiny naps during the day. Let your muscles relax, this will do miracles both for your body and the baby.

Exercising in general is a great method to fight back pains. Water aerobic, swimming,walking and other stretching exercises might not only alleviate but also prevent the occurrence of different aches. Your doctor will help you in selecting the proper activities that are still beneficial both for your child and your body.

How to Prevent Cellulite While Pregnant

Pregnancy is often joined by the appearance of cellulite on thighs, tummy and legs. However there are some simple tips on how to prevent cellulite while pregnant.

Pregnancy is often joined by the appearance of little fat bags under the skin. Some attribute it to hereditary factors and genes, some to unhealthy lifestyle. It is a well-known fact that in the majority of cases this issue appears during this period and not after the birth of the baby. However there are some simple tips on how to prevent cellulite while pregnant.

Healthy Diet

Future mommies make no exception when it comes of body care. The best way to do it is to change our nutritional habits. Indeed the right foods can balance out the weight fluctuation.That's why ditch out from your fridge processed foods and those that are rich in sugar. Weight loss during pregnancy is not indicated, however a healthy diet doesn't presupposes losing weight dramatically.

Indeed some of you might crave, however the right meal plan must be followed within certain limits.
Control these crises with substituting the unhealthy ingredients with delicious and nutritive stuff.

Massage

It is a well-known fact that massages are the greatest enemies of cellulite. Besides its beauty effect it can also help the mother relax and releases the pains in the back.Metabolism works properly only with the right amount of oxygen and a healthy blood circulation. That's why pamper your body with a nice massage session applying soothing massage oils and creams.

Eliminate Toxins

Cellulite appears due to the toxin accumulation under the skin. The best way to prevent its appearance is to follow a detox regime, that will do good to the mother still won't harm the baby.
Caffeine and alcohol are no-no ingredients of a healthy meal plan, substitute the additives and chemical with fresh fruits, vegetables and above all water.

Pure water is the simplest tool to prevent the formation of toxin bags. The elimination of harmful factors is the basis of a healthy body care during pregnancy.

Anti-Cellulite Treatments

Anti-cellulite creams and lotions do a great favor to our skin.
The retinol and other non-chemical ingredients found in these products can reduce the unaesthetic aspect of cellulite with improving the elasticity and health of our skin.Since this problem roots in our metabolism the anti-cellulite products can only reduce the visible effect rather than preventing the appearance of cellulite. The best way to stay healthy is to start the cleansing from the inside.

Stay Active

It's not about doing exhausting and high-cardio exercise, rather about staying active all throughout these months. The most simple way to keep our soul and body in a good shape is walking. Try to do it at least for 30 minutes per day to see how you'll feel.
The easy and pregnancy-friendly workouts as prenatal Yoga and walking, save you from the burden of struggling with cellulite. Pair this activities with healthy breathing techniques to improve your physical and mental condition.

PCOS AND Pregnancy

If you have PCOS and you're pregnant - congratulations! It's likely that you've had to make lifestyle changes and even undergo medical or fertility treatment to conceive, and you should be proud of your efforts and success. Now that the stress of achieving conception is behind you, you may already be concerned about the next stage, the pregnancy itself. Even PCOS sufferers who get pregnant relatively easily, or by accident, should know that a PCOS pregnancy does not always progress without complications. There are several factors which should be monitored by your doctor and/or gynecologist.

Your chances of carrying a baby to full term depend on the severity of your PCOS, your own state of health and the treatment you receive during pregnancy, but it is very possible for a woman with PCOS to have a successful pregnancy and many have done so.

RISKS

Medical experts say women with PCOS are at an increased risk of developing gestational

diabetes, high blood pressure (hypertension), preeclampsia and blood clotting disorders during pregnancy. Pregnant PCOS sufferers are also more likely to experience miscarriage, pre-term

birth or have over-size babies. Studies have placed the miscarriage rate among pregnant women with PCOS at between 45 and 50 %, compared to 15 to 25 % among the normal female population. While this figure may seem scary and intimidating, it's important to remember that steps can be taken to prevent and treat these disorders.

what should do?

The first thing you must do, if you haven't done it already, is inform your doctor or whoever normally treats your PCOS that you're pregnant. If you have been getting treatment for PCOS or to help you conceive, you need to be aware that some medications for PCOS are not suitable for use during pregnancy. You must discuss this with your doctor. Certain fertility drugs used by women with PCOS also increase the chance of multiple pregnancies. One clear advantage, if you've been having treatment, is that you are probably already doing a lot of the things that will help you to complete a healthy pregnancy. These include, weight loss (through good diet and exercise), reducing your stress levels and medical care to protect you and your baby.

Over weight

If you are overweight (and a lot of women with PCOS are), shedding some pounds will help reduce the risk of high blood pressure, miscarriage, and the chances of having a very large baby. It will also help to rectify the hormonal imbalances that hinder normal embryo implantation and development in PCOS women. In particular, weight loss reduces the amount of insulin (the hormone which regulates blood sugar) that your body needs to function. High levels of insulin in

PCOS sufferers are linked to gestational diabetes. This disorder can cause the baby to grow too big, which in turn can bring on pre-term birth and necessitate a C-section. Having too much insulin can also cause blood clots in the placenta. This deprives the baby of vital nutrients and can lead to miscarriage or stillbirth. Remember that you must consult a medical professional familiar with your condition before beginning any new exercise or eating regime during your pregnancy. This is especially important if you are very overweight.

Medical Care
Most treatment for PCOS is aimed at stabilizing your hormones to increase your chances of achieving and maintaining pregnancy. Your doctor should also monitor your blood pressure at regular intervals and look for early-warning signs of diabetes and (later in the pregnancy) pre-eclampisa. Certain drugs may also be used to prevent blood clotting.

Think Positive
Being anxious about a PCOS pregnancy is very understandable, but by staying calm you could be increasing the chances of a successful outcome for you and your baby. Remember that high stress levels are associated with hypertension. Do what you can to be well-informed, communicate with your doctor frequently and follow his or her instructions. Apart from that, the most important thing you can do is try not to worry. Some gentle and relaxing activity to get you out and about, like swimming or yoga, could be what you need to take your mind off things. Ask your doctor.

DIET IN PCOS

Approximately 50 – 60% of women with PCOS are obese. It has been shown that losing even 5% of body weight can lead to an improvement in skin, regularity of menstrual cycles and decreased insulin levels.However many women with PCOS experience difficulty losing weight, possibly due to high insulin levels promoting fat storage.

The standard low fat high carbohydrate weight loss diet may not be the best approach for women with PCOS. High intakes of carbohydrates, especially refined carbohydrates (ie. sweets, white bread, white rice, etc.) will quickly turn to sugar and cause elevated levels of insulin. Since high levels of insulin can cause a multitude of problems for women with PCOS, a better diet would be a low glycemic index diet.

This is a diet that includes foods or combinations of foods that do not cause a rapid rise in blood sugar.

Dr. Walter Futterweit, clinical professor

of the Division of Endocrinology of the Mount Sinai School of Medicine, has been working with women with PCOS for 25 years.

He suggests that non-obese women with PCOS who get regular periods eat a balanced diet, moderate - not excessive intakes of carbohydrates (approximately 50% of calories), and select complex unrefined carbohydrates over refined carbohydrates.

An obese insulin resistant woman should consume a diet that is 40 % carbohydrates or less, depending upon the degree of insulin resistance. These are only guidelines – the diet should be tailored to fit the individual person.

I would suggest starting with a diet that is 40 % carbohydrates and work your way downward if need be. Some subjective indicators that the diet is “working” are: decreased cravings and increased energy levels.

Some objective measures that the diet may be working are: weight loss, decreased insulin levels, regular periods. Clearly, this is an area that needs to be researched.

Hazards of Low Carbohydrate Diets That Are High In Saturated Fat
Several of the popular low carbohydrate diets contain as much as 60% of calories from fat, much of it saturated. I do not recommend these diets as saturated fat has been linked to hear disease.

These diets could be especially dangerous for women with PCOS, as they already have an increased risk of heart disease. In addition, these diets are low in fiber, vitamins, minerals and disease fighting phytochemicals. Remember that this is not a temporary diet – it is one that you will need to follow long term! Therefore you will need to make it as healthy as possible.

Calculating Your Caloric Needs

Since the majority of women with PCOS are overweight, calories are very important. For weight control, remember – all calories, whether from fat, protein or carbohydrate, in excess of your body’s needs, will turn to fat. In order to lose weight, you must stay within your calorie goal.

Dietary Recommendations For PCOS

The following recommendations can help you plan your diet. The bottom line is that you need to find a diet that works for you and one that you can live with.
Do not eat carbohydrates by themselves. Instead, combine them with a protein and / or fat
Try to select lower glycemic index foods as they will cause a slower rise in blood sugar. (Glycemic index is an indicator of how rapidly the food turns to sugar in the blood). The lower glycemic carbohydrates tend to have more fiber than the higher glycemic foods. For example, bran cereal (10 gm fiber/1/2 cup) has a lower glycemic index than cornflakes (1 gm fiber/1/2 cup). In other words, select breads, grains and cereals that are as unprocessed as possible.
Do not take your carbohydrate levels so low that you induce ketosis. You can test for this by purchasing ketone test strips at a pharmacy.

Eating less than 40 grams of carbohydrate a day may induce ketosis.
Space the carbohydrates out during the day.

This will cause less of rise in blood sugar and insulin peak as compared to eating all carbohydrates at one meal. (Note – the Carbohydrate Addicts Diet recommends eating all the carbohydrates at one meal. If this diet helps control food cravings and is promoting weight loss – keep it up! )
Avoid those carbohydrates that trigger more hunger or cravings (ie. pasta triggers craving for some people).

Suggested vitamin / mineral supplements:

calcium 1000 mg – 1500 mg (take two – three 500 mg pills a day and be sure to space them out as you can only absorb 500 mg at a time.)
multivitamin with minerals (make sure it contains folic acid 400 mcg if trying to get pregnant)
Drink at least 8 cups of noncaffeinated fluid as a low carbohydrate intake can cause dehydration.
For heart health, limit foods high in saturated and trans fats (ie. fatty red meat, whole milk dairy, butter and stick margarine, chicken skin, fried foods, rich desserts, etc.).

Select mainly monounsaturated fats (ie. olive oil, canola oil, nuts) and omega 3 fats (fatty fish such as salmon and bluefish, flaxseed, nuts) as these fats are heart healthy.

Exercise on a regular basis.

Benefits of aerobic exercise:
burns calories and aids in weight control
lowers blood pressure
raises HDL cholesterol
may improve insulin resistance (this is proven in type 2 diabetics)
Benefits of resistance training:
builds lean mass which will speed metabolism
helps prevent osteoporosis
If on a very low carbohydrate diet, check with your MD regarding a potassium supplement
If constipation is a problem, try a natural fiber supplement such as sugar free Fiber all or Metamucil (may have about 2 grams of usable carbohydrate per dose). Be sure to drink plenty of fluids as well.

For those women who are interested in counting grams of carbohydrate:

a. Suggested carbohydrate intake:
Calculate your caloric needs, whether it be to maintain or lose weight.
Multiply your caloric needs by .4 (this will be a diet that is 40 percent carbohydrate) and then divide by 4 (carbohydrate has 4 calories per gram)
If you are obese and insulin resistant, then you may need less that 40% from carbohydrate. Check with your MD or nutritionist.
For example:

If your caloric needs to lose 1 ½ pounds a week is 1425, then multiply that number by .4and divide by 4 (1424 x .4 = 569 divided by 4 = 142 grams of carbohydrate per day).

b. Count total grams of carbohydrate – not just grams of sugar. All carbohydrates eventually turn into sugar in the blood.

c. To count “effective” grams of carbohydrate, subtract the grams of fiber in a food from the total carbohydrate content. For example, 6 whole wheat crackers might have 15 grams of total carbohydrates and 3 grams of fiber. The effective grams of carbohydrate would be 12 grams. This is what you count when you are adding up your grams of carbohydrate.

TESTS

PCOS is to some extent a diagnosis of exclusion. There is not a specific test that can be used to diagnose PCOS and there is not widespread agreement on what the diagnostic criteria should be. Your doctor will do tests to rule out other causes of anovulation and infertility.
He will usually order a variety of hormone tests to help determine whether hormone overproduction may be due to PCOS, an adrenal or ovarian tumor, or an overgrowth in adrenal tissue (adrenal hyperplasia).
Ultrasounds are often used to look for cysts in the ovaries and to see if the internal structures appear normal.
Your doctor will be looking for a combination of laboratory results and clinical findings that suggest PCOS. If you are diagnosed with PCOS, your doctor may order tests such as lipid profiles and glucose levels to monitor your risk of developing future complications such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease

Laboratory Tests

FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone), will be normal or low with PCOS
LH (Lutenizing Hormone), will be elevated
LH/FSH ratio. This ratio is normally about 1:1 in premenopausal women, but with PCOS a ratio of greater than 2:1 or 3:1 may be considered diagnostic
Prolactin will be normal or low
Testosterone, total and/or free, usually elevated
DHEAS(may be done to rule out a virilizing adrenal tumor in women with rapidly advancing hirsutism), frequently mildly elevated with PCOS
17-ketosteroids (urine metabolites of androgens, used to evaluate adrenal function) elevated or decreased?
Estrogens, may be normal or elevated
Sex hormone binding globulin, may be reduced
Androstenedione, may be elevated
hCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin), used to check for pregnancy, negative
Lipid profile (low HDL, high LDL, and cholesterol, elevated triglycerides)
Glucose, fasting and/or a glucose tolerance test, may be elevated
Insulin, often elevated
TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone)
some who have PCOS are also hypothyroid

Non-Laboratory Tests

Ultrasound, transvaginal and/or pelvic/abdominal are used to evaluate enlarged ovaries.
With PCOS, the ovaries may be 1.5 to 3 times larger than normal and characteristically have more than 8 follicles per ovary, with each follicle less than 10 mm in diameter.
Often the cysts are lined up on the surface the ovaries, forming the appearance of a "pearl necklace." These ultrasound findings are not diagnostic.
They are present in more than 90% of women with PCOS, but they are also found in up to 25% of women without PCOS.
Laparoscopy may be used to evaluate ovaries, evaluate the endometrial lining of the uterus, and sometimes used as part of surgical treatment.

INTRODUCTION OF PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, ability to have children, hormones, heart, blood vessels, and appearance.

With PCOS, women typically have:
high levels of androgens. These are sometimes called male hormones, although females also make them.
missed or irregular periods
many small cysts (sists) in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.

About one in ten women of childbearing age has PCOS. It can occur in girls as young as 11 years old. PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility (not being able to get pregnant).

CAUSES OF PCOS

The cause of PCOS is unknown. Most researchers think that more than one factor could play a role in developing PCOS.

Genes are thought to be one factor. Women with PCOS tend to have a mother or sister with PCOS.

Researchers also think insulin could be linked to PCOS. Insulin is a hormone that controls the change of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body to use or store.

For many women with PCOS, their bodies have problems using insulin so that too much insulin is in the body.Excess insulin appears to increase production of androgen. This hormone is made in fat cells, the ovaries, and the adrenal gland.

Levels of androgen that are higher than normal can lead to acne, excessive hair growth, weight gain, and problems with ovulation.

SYMPTOMS OF PCOS

Not all women with PCOS share the same symptoms. These are some of the symptoms of PCOS:
infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding
infertility (not able to get pregnant) because of not ovulating
increased hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes—a condition called hirsutism.
ovarian cysts
acne, oily skin, or dandruff
weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist
insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes
high cholesterol
high blood pressure
male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs
skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area
pelvic pain
anxiety or depression due to appearance and/or infertility
sleep apnea—excessive snoring and times when breathing stops while asleep