Pcos
A Holistic Approach to Managing Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. This disorder is characterized by ovulatory and menstrual dysfunction, hyperandrogenemia, metabolic abnormalities, and polycystic ovaries. Resulting from complex metabolic and endocrine dysfunctions, women with PCOS often suffer from menstrual irregularities, infertility, insulin resistance, lipid abnormalities, obesity, hirsutism, and acne. The long-term health risks of PCOS are significant as women with this disorder constitute the largest group of women at risk for the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The social and emotional well-being of women with PCOS is also at stake as many women suffer from depression and social isolation due to burdening symptoms of their disorder. A holistic treatment approach to the management of PCOS is necessary to encompass the complexity of the disorder. Health care workers, specifically working in women’s health areas, have an excellent opportunity to screen for this disorder as well as counsel their patients and provide an individualized and holistic treatment plan.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine abnormality in young women today (Watkins-Smith & Taylor, 2011). Multiple studies have shown the prevalence of this disorder affecting anywhere from 4%-20% of women of reproductive age (Bargiota & Diamant-Kandarakis, 2012; Garad, 2011; Teede, Deeks, & Moran, 2010; Watkins-Smith & Taylor, 2011). Women with PCOS present to their healthcare provider with complaints of irregular menses, inability to become pregnant, as well as with physical complaints of acne and facial hair (Ahonen, 2010). While these clinical symptoms are unpleasant and psychologically disturbing, women are unaware of the multitude of additional health concerns they are at risk for. Women with
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting women of reproductive age. This disorder is characterized by ovulatory and menstrual dysfunction, hyperandrogenemia, metabolic abnormalities, and polycystic ovaries. Resulting from complex metabolic and endocrine dysfunctions, women with PCOS often suffer from menstrual irregularities, infertility, insulin resistance, lipid abnormalities, obesity, hirsutism, and acne. The long-term health risks of PCOS are significant as women with this disorder constitute the largest group of women at risk for the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The social and emotional well-being of women with PCOS is also at stake as many women suffer from depression and social isolation due to burdening symptoms of their disorder. A holistic treatment approach to the management of PCOS is necessary to encompass the complexity of the disorder. Health care workers, specifically working in women’s health areas, have an excellent opportunity to screen for this disorder as well as counsel their patients and provide an individualized and holistic treatment plan.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine abnormality in young women today (Watkins-Smith & Taylor, 2011). Multiple studies have shown the prevalence of this disorder affecting anywhere from 4%-20% of women of reproductive age (Bargiota & Diamant-Kandarakis, 2012; Garad, 2011; Teede, Deeks, & Moran, 2010; Watkins-Smith & Taylor, 2011). Women with PCOS present to their healthcare provider with complaints of irregular menses, inability to become pregnant, as well as with physical complaints of acne and facial hair (Ahonen, 2010). While these clinical symptoms are unpleasant and psychologically disturbing, women are unaware of the multitude of additional health concerns they are at risk for. Women with
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