Reader’s Question:

A doctor in Ohio has just diagnosed me with polycystic ovaries. Does that mean there are numerous cysts in my ovaries, as the term “poly” implies? And I found it even weirder that I have been prescribed the metformin. Isn’t that a diabetic pill?

Karen

Columbus, OH

Hi, Karen. There really is no need to worry about having numerous cysts in your ovaries. Yes, you are right about “poly” meaning “many.” This medical condition also goes by the names: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (or PCOS) or the Stein-Leventhal syndrome.

The polycystic ovarian syndrome is a disorder of the endocrine system characterized by the following: amenorrhea (lack of menstrual period), oligomenorrhea (irregular menstrual periods), anovulation (absence of ovulation), hirsutism (excessive body hair typical of males), seborrhea (excessive production of oil in the glands) which results to acne, and obesity.

Its effects, though, are quite serious, so early detection and medical care are vital to this condition. If you have the polycystic ovary syndrome, you are prone to diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia (disorder of triglyceride and cholesterol metabolism), increased risk of cancer, and increased possibility of infertility.

Now, to get to your question on the cysts. The normal cycle for women is — follicle, ovulation, menstrual period, right? In polycystic ovaries, what happens is the follicles do not mature into an egg, hence the absence of ovulation. And since no shedding of the egg (menstruation) occurs, there is dumping of these follicles on the ovaries. In truth, this should have been named polyfollicular ovaries, instead.

Another interesting fact about this condition is it can be treated by metformin, a known diabetic drug that addresses insulin resistance, a condition that is also present in most PCOS cases. Go to a gynecologist who specializes in endocrinology in Ohio to know more.

Tags: Diseases, Medication