Polycystic ovary syndrome: An update.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder. Patients may present with a combination of hyperandrogenism symptoms, menstrual irregularities, metabolic syndrome, infertility, acne, and obesity. PCOS diagnosis is based on three diagnostic guidelines. Treatment options include oral contraceptive pills, antiandrogens, and metformin.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a commonly occurring endocrine disorder characterized by hirsutism, anovulation, and polycystic ovaries. Often comorbid with insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and obesity, it also carries significant risk for the development of cardiovascular and metabolic sequelae, including diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Traditionally, the treatment of patients with PCOS has focused on relief of symptoms. Here, the criteria for the diagnosis of PCOS are reviewed with an emphasis on the stratification of subtypes by metabolic features. Then treatment options are reviewed according to the management goal: relief of hyperandrogenic symptoms, regulation of menstruation, and restoration of fertility.

Improving Rural Nurse Practitioner Knowledge About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Through Continuing Education.

BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common androgen-excess disorder in reproductive-aged women, is often a missed diagnosis. Rural nurse practitioners (NPs) need to be able to diagnose and provide basic management for PCOS. This study's objective was to determine whether a continuing education program about PCOS would improve NPs' knowledge about PCOS. METHOD: A pretest-posttest design was used. Forty-eight participants attending a regional NP conference completed a pretest before a continuing education presentation about PCOS. Afterward, 43 participants completed an identical posttest. A two-step multivariate analysis of variance compared the results. RESULTS: Pretest results indicated NPs had low levels of knowledge for assessing, diagnosing, and managing PCOS. The posttest results demonstrated significant (p = .000) improvements in these areas. CONCLUSION: Continuing education presentations have the potential to increase rural NPs' knowledge about PCOS so they can provide evidence-based care to rural women with PCOS. J Contin Educ Nurs. 2018;49(4):164-170.

Caring for women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting reproductive-age women. PCOS causes hyperandrogenism and anovulation and increases the risk of multiple health conditions including infertility, diabetes mellitus, and cardiovascular disease. This article outlines current recommendations for diagnostic testing, treatment options, and holistic care of the woman with PCOS.

Insulin Resistance, Metabolic Syndrome, and Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Obese Youth.

School nurses are well aware of the childhood obesity epidemic in the United States, as one in three youth are overweight or obese. Co-morbidities found in overweight or obese adults were not commonly found in youth three decades ago but are now increasingly "normal" as the obesity epidemic continues to evolve. This article is the second of six related articles discussing the co-morbidities of childhood obesity and discusses the complex association between obesity and insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome. Insulin resistance increases up to 50% during puberty, which may help to explain why youth are more likely to develop co-morbidities as teens. Treatment of these disorders is focused on changing lifestyle habits, as a child cannot change his or her pubertal progression, ethnicity, or family history. School nurses and other personnel can assist youth with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and polycystic ovary syndrome by supporting their efforts to make changes, reinforcing that insulin resistance is not necessarily type 2 diabetes even if the child is taking medication, and intervening with negative peer pressure.

Managing polycystic ovary syndrome: what our patients are telling us.

UNLABELLED: Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) experience symptoms such as irregular menses, hirsutism, and acne, and are at heightened risk for developing obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, infertility, and some cancers. Data also indicate an inverse correlation between PCOS and health-related quality-of-life indicators and self-image. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of women with PCOS in the management of their disorder and the meaning of that experience for them. DESIGN: This qualitative study was conducted using a phenomenological approach based on the guidelines of Van Manen. METHOD: Individual, semistructured interviews were completed with 10 participants who were diagnosed with PCOS and managed by a health care practitioner(s) within the past 5 years. Data were analyzed using the process of hermeneutic phenomenological reflection. FINDINGS: The four major themes that described women's lived experience of managing PCOS were frustration, confusion, searching, and gaining control. CONCLUSIONS: Women with PCOS face many challenges in managing their disorder and desire to gain control, balance, and well-being through a comprehensive treatment plan. The findings have implications for health care providers in addressing quality of life issues and overall health outcomes.

Calidad de vida en mujeres con síndrome de ovario poliquístico / Quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

El Síndrome de Ovario Poliquístico [SOPI] es una enfermedad crónica de relevancia debido a sus complicaciones y a la disminución de la calidad de vida en las mujeres afectadas. OBJETIVO: conocer el efecto del SOP en la calidad de vida de un grupo de mujeres chilenas. METODOLOGÍA: estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, con una muestra intencionada de 80 mujeres. La calidad de vida se mide con el instrumento Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [PCOSQ]. Para el análisis de los datos se utilizan medidas de tendencia central. RESULTADOS: la edad promedio es 24.2 + 6.3 años. Un 62.5 0/0 reporta regular a mala calidad de vida. Los dominios de calidad de vida más afectados son las alteraciones menstruales (98.75%) y las emociones (98.75%); seguidas del vello corporal (90%), peso (86.25 0/0) e infertilidad (73.75%). CONCLUSIONES: el SOP afecta la calidad de vida de las mujeres en sus distintos dominios. Conocer la calidad de vida de las mujeres con SOP contribuye al manejo adecuado de este síndrome, así como a disminuir la probabilidad de desarrollo de la morbilidad asociada.

The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [PCOS] is a chronic disease of relevance due to its complications and to decrease of the quality of life among affected women. AIM: to identify the effect of PCOS on the quality of life among Chilean women. METHODOLOGY: descriptive study with purposive sample of 80 females. The quality of life was measured by Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire for women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome [PCOSQ]. Central tendency was used for the analysis of the data. RESULTS: the average age was 24.2 + 6.3 years. The most frequently domains of the quality of life were menstrual problems (98.75%) and emotions (98.75%); following by body hair (90%), weight (86.25%), and infertility (73.75%). CONCLUSIONS: the SOP affects the quality of life of women with PCOS in their different domains. To know the quality life of the women with SOP can contribute to have an adequate management of the SOP as well as to decrease the possibility to develop co morbidity associated with SOP.

Nurse-led peer support group: experiences of women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

AIM: This paper is a report of a study to explore the experiences of women with polycystic ovary syndrome attending a nurse-led support group. BACKGROUND: Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common chronic endocrine disorder associated with high levels of psychological distress. It has been argued that healthcare providers should regularly review the psychological health of women with polycystic ovary syndrome, and that nurses can help women to adjust to the condition by providing education and support. Little is known about the means of providing social support for women with the syndrome, or of any benefits for patients. METHOD: Qualitative interviews were conducted with 13 female patients in 2006. The patients attended a support group at a public hospital in the United Kingdom. The data were analysed using deductive and inductive thematic analysis. FINDINGS: The group provided both socio-emotional and informational social support. Participants reported that attending the group helped to reduce isolation, and provided an opportunity for social comparison and accessible and personally relevant information. Participants described the group as having had a major personal impact for them. They reported feeling empowered and direct positive effects on their self-management behaviours. CONCLUSION: Social support appears to be a key factor mediating the psychosocial impact in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Healthcare providers should consider running such support groups or referring patients to them. Providing social support may alleviate distress and improve self-management.

Polycystic ovary syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder, affecting between 4% and 8% of reproductive aged women. This syndrome, a complex disorder with multiple components, including reproductive, metabolic, and cardiovascular manifestations, has long-term health concerns that cross the life span. The diagnostic criteria for PCOS are ovarian dysfunction evidenced by oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea and clinical evidence of androgen excess (e.g., hirsutism and acne) in the absence of other conditions that can cause these same symptoms. This article reviews current knowledge about the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management of this disorder.

The lived experience of women diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To uncover the meaning of living with polycystic ovary syndrome. DESIGN: Phenomenology. SETTING: A women's health care practice in northeast United States. PARTICIPANTS: A purposive sample consisting of 12 women, ages 21 to 48 years, who had been previously diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome. DATA COLLECTION: Semistructured interviews. RESULTS: Analysis of the participants' responses revealed the following themes: (a) identifying differences, (b) wanting to be normal, (c) searching for answers, (d) gaining control, (e) attempting to achieve femininity, (f) letting go of guilt, and (g) dealing with it. CONCLUSIONS: Polycystic ovary syndrome is a syndrome that impacts women both physically and psychosocially. Nurses can play a key role in assisting women afflicted with this hormonal disturbance through education and support.

Health-related quality of life issues in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of obesity, fertility status, and androgenism scores on health-related quality of life in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). DESIGN: Cross-sectional, correlational. SETTING: Private reproductive endocrinology practice in two southeast U.S. cities. PARTICIPANTS: Convenience sample of 128 women with PCOS, half of whom were attempting to conceive in addition to being treated for PCOS. Most were White (97%), married (78%), with a mean age of 30.4 years (SD +/- 5.5). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (PCOSQ) for women with polycystic ovary syndrome. A laboratory panel and clinical measures, including body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, and degree of hirsutism. RESULTS: The most common health-related quality of life concern reported by women with PCOS was weight, followed in descending order by menstrual problems, infertility, emotions, and body hair. CONCLUSIONS: The psychological implications of PCOS are easily underestimated and have been largely ignored. Nursing has a pivotal role in recognizing these concerns and implementing therapy to improve quality of life in women with PCOS.

Update: The pathogenesis and treatment of PCOS.

Irregular menstrual cycles, acne, and hirsutism often cause women to present to a primary care setting. This article demonstrates how to take a careful history, perform a physical examination, and order the laboratory tests necessary to diagnose polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Managing PCOS complaints and maintaining important health issues are also addressed, as well as when to refer to a specialist.

Polycystic ovary syndrome: implications for the advanced practice nurse in primary care.

PURPOSE: To discuss the diagnosis and management of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) by the advanced practice nurse in primary care. DATA SOURCES: Selected research and clinical articles. CONCLUSIONS: The disorder is an endocrinopathy characterized by chronic anovulation, resulting in multiple ovarian cysts. Recent research suggests a genetic etiology and a close association with obesity. Patients often present with hyperandrogenism, irregular menses, and infertility. Management is directed at the alleviation of individual symptoms. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: If left untreated, cardiovascular disease, abnormal insulin metabolism, and ovarian and endometrial cancers may develop.