“Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinological health problem in women of childbearing age. Istanbul Okan University Hospital Endocrinology and Metabolism Diseases specialist Assoc. Dr. Yusuf Aydın gave information.
Talking about the general definition of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Assoc. Dr. Yusuf Aydın, “The most prominent clinical features are menstrual irregularities, skin problems such as hair growth and acne due to androgen (male hormone) excess, and it is a disease characterized by very small cysts in the ovaries. Although the cause has not been fully resolved, it is predicted that environmental and genetic factors play a role. In all studies, the most important clinical and laboratory finding is insulin resistance. said.
Underlining that these patients can gain weight very quickly due to insulin resistance, Assoc. Dr. Yusuf Aydın said, “As a result, insulin resistance becomes more severe and the clinical findings of the patient worsen. In PCOS patients, especially the increase in intra-abdominal fat (visceral fat) is much more pronounced. Visceral adiposity is one of the most important risk factors for insulin resistance. As a result, it becomes difficult for tissues to use glucose, ie sugar. If this condition is not treated, weight gain becomes more pronounced over the years and the risk of diabetes increases.” he said.
'The incidence of Type 2 diabetes has increased in PCOS patients'
Aydın said, “The incidence of diabetes has increased significantly in patients with PCOS, compared to women in the same age group, from the moment of diagnosis.” he said:
“This risk becomes much more evident especially in those with increased waist circumference, older ages and those with a family history of diabetes. Diabetes development time may be 4-6 years earlier in women with PCOS compared to the control group. At the time of diagnosis of PCOS, glucose metabolism disorders such as impaired glucose tolerance and reactive hypoglycemia can be seen in 30 percent of these patients. Diabetes can be detected in 8-10 percent of PCOS patients at the time of diagnosis.”
PCOS and gestational diabetes
Underlining the need to be more careful in pregnancy in PCOS patients, Aydın said, “Patients with PCOS are considered to be among the very high-risk groups for the development of diabetes during pregnancy. From the beginning of pregnancy, sugar monitoring should be done, and after the 20th week of pregnancy, it should be checked whether diabetes develops in these patients with a 75-gram glucose load test. he said.
Can diabetes development be prevented in PCOS patients?
Istanbul Okan University Hospital Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases specialist Assoc. Dr. Yusuf Aydın ended his speech as follows:
“Because the main problem is insulin resistance and visceral adiposity, it should be ensured that these patients do not gain weight. In particular, regular exercise, carbohydrate-poor diet, and maintaining the ideal weight are the main forms of treatment. Metformin treatment as a drug can be used in patients with glucose metabolism disorders. However, since PCOS is a complex disease that occurs with many hormonal changes, it would be more accurate to diagnose and follow-up this disease by experienced endocrinologists, and to apply the drug treatments that your doctor will give you for drug treatment.