Polycystic disease is a female ailment that can develop in a representative of the beautiful half of society at any age. The essence of the disease is hormonal failure, which is accompanied by malfunctions in the woman’s menstrual cycle, the absence of expected ovulation. Such a pathology is quite serious, because it threatens the development of infertility.
What is the reason for the development of the disease?
The medical opinion regarding the cause of polycystic is ambiguous. Studies have shown that the lack of sensitivity of body tissues to insulin, which is responsible for regulating blood glucose levels, is the primary reason for the development of pathology. The ovaries of a woman with polycystic disease produce an incommensurable amount of male hormones. For this reason, the female body is not able to process excess insulin.
Doctors managed to identify a number of the most likely provocateurs of the disease:
- stressful condition;
- frequent colds;
- heredity;
- hormonal disorders;
- prolonged tonsillitis.
A disease can overtake a woman even at the slightest change in climate. Among the causes of the development of polycystic disease are some diseases of other organs. We are talking about the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, hypothalamus, adrenal glands.
Symptoms of polycystic ovary
How is polycystosis manifested? Symptoms and causes of the disease are interrelated. The clinical picture in this case is very diverse.
The patient observed:
- Disruptions in the menstrual cycle. Delays of 6 months or more, scanty, copious discharge are observed.
- Infertility. There is no ovulation (the process of rupture of the follicle and the maturation of the egg does not end with its going beyond the ovary).
- Weight gain. Excess fatty tissue accumulates in the abdomen (according to the male principle).
- Hirsutism. Hair grows actively on the body and face, a receding hairline appears on the top of the head.
- Acne, oily skin.
- Acanthosis. Darkening is formed in the armpit area, under the chest. Stretch marks appear on the body.
- Coarsening of the voice.
- Pain in the lower abdomen. Aching pain is characteristic against the background of compression of the organs by the ovaries or due to excessive production of prostaglandins.
- Hyperinsulinemia is an excess of insulin in the blood.
- Ovarian enlargement in size. On palpation, swollen, compacted, sometimes painful ovaries are determined.
- Endometrial hyperplasia - the growth of the uterine mucosa.
Diagnostic measures
How is polycystosis diagnosed? Symptoms of the disease are paramount when making a diagnosis. Doctors make the final verdict only after additional studies.
- Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs. Ultrasound makes it possible to assess the size of the ovaries, to refute / confirm the presence of cysts. In the case of the development of the disease, a specialist observes a thickening of the protein membrane, the growth of the uterine mucosa.
- Testing for hormones. We are talking about the level of FSH and LH. The ratio of indicators within 3: 1, respectively, indicates the presence of polycystic. An excess of testosterone, in some cases, prolactin, is detected. In the urine, a high concentration of androgen is observed. The indicator of progesterone during the second phase of the cycle is reduced.
- Blood chemistry. An elevated blood glucose level is detected, the indicator of fats and cholesterol is off scale.
- Curettage of the uterine cavity. The procedure is performed for dysfunctional uterine bleeding.
General principles for treating a disease
Is it possible to say unequivocally how to cure polycystosis? Treatment of pathology is complex and includes:
- dieting (reducing the amount of carbohydrates in the diet, reducing the calorie content of food, focus on protein and frequency of nutrition);
- elimination of metabolic disorders;
- use of oral contraceptives;
- stimulation of ovulation if a woman wants to become pregnant;
- maintaining an active lifestyle.
Conservative treatment
Polycystic disease is a disease, the cure of which is 50% dependent on hormonal drugs. A similar approach ensures the full maturation of the follicle with subsequent ovulation. Rarely, there is a need for oral contraceptives of antiandrogenic action, the effect of which persists for two to three months.
To establish the menstrual cycle, synthetic analogues of progesterone, a female hormone, are prescribed. The class of similar drugs can also include drugs containing anti-androgen. Blocks the effects of male sex hormones spironolactone. If there is a problem of excess weight, drugs aimed at burning fat are mandatory.
In the case of therapeutic methods for treating polycystic, do not rely on a quick result.
Surgery to help
When conservative medicine is powerless, specialists turn to surgery. Surgical intervention for polycystic ovary involves:
- removal of part of the ovary;
- destruction of certain areas of the ovary;
- maintaining the process of androgen synthesis.
After the operation, the probability of recovery of the cycle is 90%, and the possibility of pregnancy - about 70%. Less surgical intervention for polycystic is a short-term result that lasts only 4-5 months.
In medicine, 2 types of such operations are known:
- wedge-shaped resection;
- laparoscopic electrocoagulation.
With successful surgical treatment, experts advise switching to hormone therapy. This integrated approach provides guaranteed relief from an unfortunate illness.
Nutrition for polycystic
Often, the development of the disease occurs against the background of an overweight patient. In this case, it makes sense to go on a diet. The diet of a woman and the number of calories consumed are individual and calculated by a nutritionist.
Among the general principles of nutrition for polycystic ovary are:
- Reducing the calorie intake of food.
- Limit the intake of carbohydrates (sugar, cereals, pasta, bread, etc.).
- Adding protein-containing foods (meat, seafood, eggs, cottage cheese, etc.) to the diet.
- Eating small meals 5-6 times a day.
- The inclusion of fruits and vegetables between meals.
- Availability of fasting days during the month.
How about exercise?
Polycystic disease is a disease that does not exclude physical exertion, on the contrary, moderate-rate exercises will only help a woman to get in shape and return to her former life.
Fitness, aerobics, swimming in combination with proper nutrition will allow you to adjust the weight. It will be enough to do 2-3 times a week. However, you should be prepared for the need for constant physical exertion even after losing extra pounds. Only an active lifestyle and healthy eating as a habit guarantee a further absence of problems with the hormonal background.
Traditional medicine to help
Is it possible to defeat polycystosis with the help of alternative medicine? Folk remedies can accelerate the healing process of a woman if they are used in combination with other treatment methods.
Usually, as a folk remedy for an ailment, compresses and tampons (external), as well as infusions and decoctions are used. Below are some of the great grandmother’s recipes.
- Tampons with mummy. 150 grams of mummy pour 3 dessert spoons of warm water. After swelling of the main component, mix the mixture. A tampon formed from a bandage is placed in the composition and inserted into the vagina before bedtime. The course of treatment is 10 days. Do not resort to procedures during menstruation.
- Compress with soda. In a three-liter jar, mix a glass of vodka, 1 dessert spoon of soda (9% vinegar slaked with vinegar) and boiled water (for the remainder). We dip a cotton cloth in the resulting mixture and apply it to the lower abdomen. We do a compress before going to bed. Repeat the procedure for 2 weeks. After 3 weeks, repeat the course. With tumors, such compresses are contraindicated.
- Licorice decoction. Licorice in the amount of 1 dessert spoon pour a glass of boiling water and insist for 3 hours, filter. We drink regularly on an empty stomach in a glass.
- Tea made from dandelion. Grind one small root of the plant into powder. We distribute the resulting dry tea into paper bags of 2 grams. We make one packet in an average cup of boiling water, drink once a day 30 minutes before the meal.
- Tincture of the pine uterus. Pour the grass in the amount of one dessert spoon with a glass of boiling water, we insist for 2 hours. We drink the entire amount of the resulting tincture during the day.
With polycystosis, alternative methods of treatment can be used, however, before taking such a medicine, you should consult a doctor.
Possible complications and prognosis
In the absence of appropriate treatment, polycystic can cause:
- diabetes mellitus;
- miscarriage;
- fibrocystic mastopathy;
- hyperplasia
- endometrial cancer;
- increased risk of myocardial infarction, stroke, hypertension.
Polycystic disease is a disease with a favorable prognosis. Timely and high-quality treatment leads to the restoration of the ability of a representative of a weak half of society to conceive and bear a fetus in 75-90% of cases.
Polycystic and pregnancy
What threatens polycystic pregnancy? Symptoms and treatment of the disease can not be considered favorable for the growth and development of the fetus, but you can not name the disease as a verdict. Very rarely, a woman suffers from polycystic disease during pregnancy, because polycystic disease itself inhibits reproductive function.
Among the possible problems that a woman may encounter in the situation with polycystic ovary are the following:
- problems with bearing;
- risk of miscarriage;
- the threat of fetal freezing;
- the threat of premature birth (in the later stages);
- gestational diabetes;
- high blood pressure
- differences in body weight;
- increased levels of androgen in the blood.
In such situations, the supervising doctor prescribes appropriate medications. In any case, a woman has a chance to bear and give birth to a healthy baby.
As you can see, we are talking about a rather serious disease that can cost a woman the opportunity to become a mother. How to protect yourself and not find out what polycystic is? Reviews of patients only confirm the fact of the need for regular visits to the doctor for a scheduled examination. By identifying an ailment at an early stage of its development, you increase your own chances of a favorable outcome of events.
Take care of your own health!