Polycystic ovary syndrome: It is not advisable to be afraid of "cysts", scientific management is the key

Author: Qin Rujuan, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital)

Huang Ying The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital)

Lv Yan, The First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital)

Reviewer: Zhang Huiqin, Chief Physician and Professor, First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University (Shanghai Changhai Hospital)

There are many female friends around us who have symptoms such as irregular menstruation, infrequent menstruation, and amenorrhea. After going to the hospital for examination, they found out that they had "polycystic ovary syndrome."

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Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common gynecological endocrine disease with diverse clinical manifestations, and it has a long-term and extensive impact on women's health. The main manifestations of polycystic ovary syndrome in adolescent women are menstrual disorders, obesity, hirsutism, acne, acanthosis nigricans, hair loss, etc. As they age to the childbearing age, they will experience infertility, fetal arrest, miscarriage, etc. caused by abnormal ovulation; in the later stages, the disease gradually develops, and they may also suffer from hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and the risk of cancer will also be greatly increased.

Since PCOS is a chronic endocrine metabolic disease, there is currently no medical treatment that can completely cure it [1]. However, scientific health management can effectively control or alleviate the symptoms of PCOS. Let’s take a look at how women with PCOS should manage their health in the long term.

1. Lifestyle Adjustment

(1) Regular exercise: Appropriate exercise helps to consume body calories, reduce weight, improve symptoms of PCOS, control insulin resistance, and improve menstrual disorders and infertility. You can choose to do exercises such as walking, jogging, swimming, or aerobics. The frequency should be 3 to 5 times per week, and the exercise time should be at least 60 minutes per time. Avoid exercising on an empty stomach or immediately after a meal; exercise according to your ability and avoid excessive exercise.

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(2) Weight control: Maintaining a healthy weight is important for improving PCOS symptoms and maintaining insulin sensitivity.

(3) Reasonable diet: Choose a low-fat, low-salt, low-sugar, high-protein, high-fiber diet to control the total calorie intake. The food intake should be diverse, such as fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts, eggs, soy products, fish, etc., to ensure balanced nutrition, and try to avoid spicy and fried foods.

(4) Healthy work and rest: Develop good sleeping habits. Going to bed early and getting up early will help regulate hormone secretion and improve overall health. Staying up late, lack of sleep, and excessive fatigue will lead to endocrine disorders, increased male hormone levels, increased incidence of polycystic ovary syndrome, and may even aggravate the condition.

2. Emotional management

Maintain a good attitude and avoid negative emotions such as anxiety and tension. You can usually relieve negative emotions by listening to soothing music or taking a walk outdoors.

3. Use medication correctly

Follow the doctor's instructions to use medication correctly and in a standardized manner, understand the effects and adverse reactions of the medication, and avoid stopping or adjusting the dosage on your own.

The main drugs for treating PCOS are oral contraceptives, which are often used to regulate menstrual cycles and hormone levels. Many patients with PCOS have high androgen levels, so anti-androgen drugs can be used to improve symptoms of hirsutism and acne. If the patient has combined insulin resistance, insulin sensitizers such as metformin can be added to improve insulin resistance.

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4. Long-term tracking and monitoring

(1) Regular check-ups: including blood pressure, blood sugar, blood lipids and other physiological and biochemical indicators.

(2) Hormone level monitoring: Regularly check the levels of androgen, estrogen and other important sex hormones.

(3) Ultrasound examination: Regular gynecological ultrasound examination is performed to monitor the condition of the ovaries, follicles, and endometrium.

Through healthy lifestyle adjustments, medication (when necessary) and continuous monitoring, we can effectively manage the symptoms of PCOS and reduce the risk of complications, thereby improving quality of life and increasing the chances of successful childbearing for women of childbearing age. PCOS is a complex disease and each patient's situation may be different. It is recommended that women with PCOS go to a professional medical institution for treatment and develop a personalized treatment plan; and follow the doctor's advice for regular follow-up visits to obtain the best health management results.

References:

[1] Endocrinology Group and Guideline Expert Group of the Chinese Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Chinese Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome[J]. Chinese Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2018, 53(1):2-6.