In 1935, two American doctors, Stein and Leventhal, described a set of signs and symptoms that affected also seven of her patients - excess hair on the face, chest and legs, lack of menstruation and infertility. The patients underwent surgeries, in which pieces of their ovaries were removed for study and several follicular cysts were found in these. What was unexpected was that, after the surgery, all began to menstruate and two of these patients even became pregnant. At that time, little was known about the ovulation process and the treatment for this disease. The reversal of its effects was done by removing part of the ovary.
The frequency of events involving the formation of small pockets, known as cysts, in the ovaries can rotate around 20 to 30%, and in the vast majority of women they have no symptoms or greater complications. The development of several ovarian cysts configures the term “polycystic”.
Schematic demonstrating the occurrence of a polycystic ovary
The difference between ovarian cyst and polycystic ovary is in the size and number of cysts.
The occurrence of cyst formation in the ovary is a syndrome, that is, a set of symptoms, being more frequent in women aged between 30 and 40 years. Currently, the diagnosis is very accurate and simple, based on the images obtained by the ultrasound device.
Regarding the causes for this event, they have not been detailed yet, and they may be associated with excess production of hormones due to glandular problems.
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There are some risk factors to watch out for. The main ones would be:
• Family history;
• Irregular menstrual cycles;
• Obesity;
• Infertility;
• Hypothyroidism.
Generally, ovarian cysts are asymptomatic, that is, they do not produce symptoms and are found during routine physical examinations or are seen by chance on ultrasounds performed by others. reasons. However, some evidence can be observed:
1. Lower abdominal pain or pelvic pain;
2. Irregular menstrual bleeding;
3. Feeling of heaviness or discomfort in the abdomen;
4. Nausea or vomiting;
5. Infertility.
Localized abdominal pain may be indicative of problems.
Treatment
As it is a chronic, continuous disease, care and correct medical monitoring are strictly necessary, and attention to the treatment of symptoms cannot be neglected.
In some cases, losing weight helps to alleviate or even solve the problem. However, if the young woman is not obese, it is necessary to reduce the production of male hormones, which is achieved through birth control pills.
Do not forget that, even if benign, the occurrence of cysts entails physiological changes that must be monitored by the gynecologist!
Fabricio Alves Ferreira
Graduated in Biology
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
FERREIRA, Fabricio Alves. "Polycystic Ovary Syndrome"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/doencas/sindrome-ovario-policistico.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.
