Question

In Chapter 11 you'll study about PCOS. Please read the following case study and respond:

Susan is 17 years old and has just been diagnosed with PCOS. Both her mother and grandmother suffered with PCOS also. In the past 3 to 4 years, Susan's menstrual cycle has grown less frequent, and more irregular, often accompanied by severe cramping and excessive bleeding when it does occur. Susan is on the swim team and is concerned about the irregularity of her period and she fears she may never be able to have a child.

1. Does PCOS have a genetic connection?

2. What treatments are available for PCOS and will be she eventually be able to have children?

Answer 1

1. PCOS or Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal conditions that women gets during the child bearing years that is 12 to 45 years of a women's age.This is one of the mostly caused reason for women fertility.

In the case of Susan, Her mother and grandmother suffered form PCOS. Now the exact cause of PCOS is difficult to explain but many say that it is genetic. However most research points it to be hereditary finding both sister's or daughters of the affected person has 50% chances of having PCOS.

2. PCOS treatments:

There are no specific test to find out whether you have PCOS. The Doctor may conduct blood test to check the hormonal level, cholesterol and insulin level in the body. The Doctor will ask you to reduce weight if you are obese.A pelvic ultrasound is done to check the ovaries.

The following treatments are done:

• One of the best way to treat PCOS is to eat healthy foods and exercise regularly
• The medications like Clomiphen and Letrozole to trigger ovulation
• Gonadotropin shots are given
• Metformin to control the insulin production and to loose the extra weight

The other option to improve fertilization are

• A surgery called ovarian drilling might make the ovaries work better if the medications does not work. This procedure changes your hormonal level and makes the ovaries ovulate.
• In-vitro fertilization is the best way to get pregnant for PCOS patients if no medication works. Here the egg is fertilized outside the body and then placed back into the uterus.