2024-25
BIOLOGY
INVESTIGATORY
PROJECT
-TOPIC-
PCOS (POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN
SYNDROME)
BY- SAPNA GRADE 12 “A”
GOVT.CO.ED,SR,SEC SCHOOL SITE -1 SECTOR -6
(CBSE)
CERTIFICATE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
AIM AND OBJECTIVES
INTRODUCTION
PATHOGENESIS
PCOS
CAUSES
TYPES OF PCOS
SYMPTOMS
PCOS AND PCOD
DIAGNOSIS
TREATMENT
CONCLUSION
PROOF IMAGES
BIBLIOGRAPHY
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY SINCERE
GRATTITUDE TO ALL THE PEOPLE WHO
HAD PLAYED AN SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN
COMPLETION OF THIS PROJECT.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WOULD LIKE TO
THANK MY BIOLOGY TEACHER,
MRS HEMA MA'AM, FOR ASSIGNING ME
THIS EDUCATIONAL PROJECT AND FOR HER
CONSTANT SUPPORT, VALUABLE
GUIDANCE, AND ENCOURAGEMENT
THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. I WOULD ALSO
LIKE TO EXTEND MY THANKS TO OUR
SCHOOL PRINCIPAL, MR PK PRADEEP, FOR
PROVIDING ALL THE NECESSARY FACILITIES
REQUIRED FOR THIS PROJECT. FINALLY, I
WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY FAMILY WHO
HAS HELPED ME IN ALL THE WAYS
POSSIBLE AT ALL TIMES.
2
THE ULTIMATE AIM OF THIS PROJECT IS
TO EXPLORE AND LEARN ABOUT A
PARTICULAR DISEASE CALLED PCOS, TO
SPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT IT, TO
DISCUSS THE WAYS TO PREVENT IT, TO
ERADICATE THE DISEASE, AND TO LEAD A
BETTER AND HEALTHY SOCIETY.
THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROJECT ARE
QUITE SIMPLE. FIRST, WE SHALL KNOW
WHAT IS PCOS, HOW IT AFFECTS THE
SOCIETY, HOW IT AFFECTS THE HEALTH
OF AN INDIVIDUAL, WHAT ARE THE
CAUSES OF IT, TYPES, SYMPTOMS OF IT,
HOW TO DIAGNOSE IT, TREATMENT FOR
IT, AND OTHER FINER DETAILS ON THAT
TOPIC.
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INTRODUCTION:
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is
a hormonal disorder which has become common among
women these days. It, as in its name, mainly affects the
ovary. Leading to hormonal imbalances. This in turn
leads to many other symptoms affecting the body in
various ways. In this presentation, we shall explore and
learn in detail about the disease polycystic ovarian
syndrome-its causes, diagnosis, effects, cure, etc.
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PATHOGENESIS:
Pathogenesis is the defined
process of a disease by which it spreads, operates, and
affects the victim. As in its name it is a syndrome which
means that it is not a single disease but a group of
symptoms which affects the body.
Hormonal imbalances are central to PCOS pathogenesis,
featuring elevated androgens (male sex hormones),
disrupted gonadotrophin secretion, and insulin
resistance. Hyperandrogenism drives irregular
menstrual cycles and contributes to the characteristic
symptoms of PCOS, including hirsutism, acne and hair
loss.
PCOS causes
cysts on the
outer edges
of ovaries.
This
condition
may lead to
improper
ovulation or
even
infertility.
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POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME
Polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS in short is the most
common endocrine disorder in an ESTD 8-13% of
women in their reproducible age.it is also called as
hyperandrogenic anovulation or stein-Leventhal
syndrome. It’s the commonest cause of infertility.
Up to 70% of the affected
women go undiagnosed
worldwide This syndrome
is named after the cysts
which form on the ovaries
of some people with this
condition, though it is not
a universal symptom. It
totally affects all the
functions performed by
the ovary such as
ovulation, hormone secretion, menstruation. Hormonal
imbalances cause higher androgen levels, disruption in
gonadotrophin secretion, and insulin resistance which
leads to higher blood sugar levels. High androgen levels
cause irregular periods, excess hair growth like males,
acne, hair thinning, etc. These complications lead to
problems in getting pregnant. The individuals may suffer
pain in pelvis region and obesity. Follicles fail to release
eggs thus forming fluid filled sacs called cysts. Early
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diagnosis and
treatment along
with a healthy
lifestyle and
weight loss, may
lower the risk of
long-term
complications
such as type two
diabetes and
heart disease.
According to a recent research, PCOS can increase the
risk of endometrial cancer and cognitive dysfunction
later.
CAUSES OF PCOS:
Even though the exact cause
of PCOS is unknown, there are some factors that would
have caused it. Those causes include, accumulations of
toxins in the body which affects the enzymes produced
in body and create an imbalanced state, genetic tendency
by which the disease is passed on to fore coming
generations, lifestyle, wrong dietary choices, stress levels,
environment, insulin resistance, fetal exposure to male
hormones, etc. Although these are not the exact causes
of PCOS there are still researches going on to find the
exact cause of it.
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As PCOS is a
hormone-related
disease, we can
connect the causes
of hormonal
imbalances to this.
So, it is mandatory
to keep ourselves
healthy and
nurtured to avoid from getting into contact with these
diseases
TYPES OF PCOS:
There are 4 most common types
of PCOS
1. Insulin resistant
2. Inflammatory
3. Pill-induced
4. Adrenal
INSULIN RESISTANT PCOS:
This is one of the most common types of PCOS and
occurs because of high insulin levels in the body. It can
also be caused because of metabolic syndrome. When
the cells of muscles and the body stop responding to
insulin, the body triggers insulin resistance.
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This can increase the blood sugar level. As a result, the
pancreas will need to release more insulin.
If insulin circulates in the body at higher levels,
androgen will be produced in higher quantities. As a
result, it will cause all the symptoms because of high
androgen.
Besides, the signs and symptoms of increased androgen
levels can also lead to brain fog, feeling thirst or gaining
weight.
Treatment: Lifestyle modifications such as a good diet,
exercise, de-stressing, improving sleep, supplements,
and insulin-sensitizing medicines can help manage
insulin-resistant PCOS.
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INFLAMMATORY PCOS:
Inflammatory PCOS may result from inflammation
which will further prevent ovulation, and this will
eventually cause an imbalance of hormones, thereby
increasing androgens in the body. Inflammatory stress
may result from a toxic environment, stress and
consumption of inflammatory dietary such as gluten.
Some common symptoms of inflammatory PCOS include
frequent headaches,
infection, and skin
allergy. The doctor
may recommend
doing a blood test. If
the results of a blood
test show that your
body is deficient in
vitamin D or an
increase in the
thyroid.
It is advisable to stay in a peaceful environment away
from stress. Furthermore, it is also advisable to stop the
consumption of inflammatory foods such as wheat,
sugar or dairy products. Inflammatory PCOS is
distinguished by low-grade inflammation in the body,
which can exacerbate insulin resistance and hormonal
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abnormalities. This type of PCOS frequently manifests with
extra symptoms such as persistent tiredness, joint
discomfort, and digestive problems.
Treatment: Potential therapies for inflammatory PCOS
include eating an anti-inflammatory diet, controlling
stress, and, if necessary, taking anti-inflammatory
medicines.
PILL INDUCED (OR) POST-PILL
PCOS:
Many women who abruptly stop oral contraceptive pills
consumption will be prone to post-pill PCOS. Some
common post-pill PCOS symptoms include excessive hair
growth, irregular periods and acne.
Oral contraceptives
will have a massive
role in determining
post-pill PCOS
because it has
synthetic progestin.
When women stop
taking these pills, the
ovaries will produce
excessive androgen
formation.
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As a result, it will lead to PCOS symptoms. Nonetheless,
they will not notice any insulin resistance, and it would
help if the victim allowed their body to heal. Nevertheless,
following a healthy lifestyle can be essential in curing this
condition.
Pill-induced PCOS develops when certain hormonal
medicines, such as birth control pills, cause the
development of PCOS-like symptoms. It should be noted
that this kind of PCOS is reversible and usually
disappears after the drug is stopped.
Treatment: The potential therapy for pill-induced PCOS
is discontinuing the medication and allowing the body to
re-establish its natural hormonal balance.
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ADRENAL PCOS:
Adrenal PCOS is also a type of PCOS with no insulin
resistance, and it is also not caused due to inflammation
or the use of hormonal contraceptives. The driving force
of adrenal PCOS is how our body responds to stress.
Women who are suffering from adrenal PCOS will have
higher levels of stress. Furthermore, the body will react
abnormally, which can trigger this reaction.
As a result, it will increase the level of DHEAS
production. DHEAS is a type of androgen that will form
in the adrenal glands.
Adrenal PCOS is an uncommon type of PCOS
characterized by the adrenal glands’ overproduction of
androgens. Excessive hair growth, acne, and irregular
menstrual periods indicate this type.
Treatment: Drugs to control adrenal hormone
production and following a healthy lifestyle are some
treatment options to cure adrenal PCOS.
SYMPTOMS OF PCOS:
Not all women with PCOS will have all of the symptoms,
and each symptom can vary from mild to severe.
Some women only experience menstrual problems or are
unable to conceive, or both.
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Common symptoms of PCOS include:
1. Difficulty getting pregnant (because of irregular
ovulation or no ovulation)
2. Excessive hair growth (hirsutism) – usually on the
face, chest, back or buttocks
3. Missed periods, irregular periods, or very light
periods.
4. Ovaries that are large or have many cysts.
5. Weight gain, especially around the belly.
6. Acne or oily skin.
7. Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair.
8. Infertility.
Fertility problems:
PCOS is one of the most common causes of female
infertility. Many women discover they have PCOS when
they're having difficulty getting pregnant.
During each menstrual cycle, the ovaries release an egg
(ovum) into the uterus (womb). This process is called
ovulation and usually occurs once a month.
But women with PCOS do not ovulate or ovulate
infrequently, which means they have irregular or absent
periods and find it difficult to get pregnant.
Up to 70-80% of the women affected with PCOS struggle
with infertility
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Risks in later life:
Having PCOS can increase your chances of developing
other health problems in later life.
For example, women with PCOS are at increased risk of
developing:
Type 2 diabetes – a lifelong condition that causes a
person's blood sugar level to become too high
Depression and mood swings – because the symptoms
15
of PCOS can affect your confidence and self-esteem
High blood pressure and high cholesterol – which can
lead to heart disease and stroke
Women who have had absent or very irregular periods
(fewer than 3 or 4 periods a year) for many years have a
higher-than-average risk of developing cancer of the
womb lining (endometrial cancer).
But the chance of getting endometrial cancer is still
small and can be minimized using treatments to regulate
periods, such as the contraceptive pill or an intrauterine
system (IUS).
THEN WHAT IS PCOD?
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PCOD (polycystic ovarian disorder) is very similar to PCOS
and often considered the same.
Some differences between PCOD and PCOS is that in
PCOD, the ovaries swell in size because of the immature
eggs which are not released turning into cysts and
accumulate over time. PCOD may not exhibit the diverse
symptoms of PCOS but cause menstrual irregularity.
While in PCOS, endocrine issues cause the ovaries to
produce excess androgens, which makes eggs prone to
becoming cysts.
PCOS cause a wide variety of symptoms. That’s why it is
called a syndrome( a group of signs or symptoms in the
body of a typical illness).The similarity between these
two is that they both occur to women in their
reproducible age and both are ovary related. They both
cause undeveloped eggs to turn into a cyst and to
accumulate in the ovaries.
DIAGNOSIS:
The diagnosis of PCOS can be done in a few different
ways. They include:
1. Blood test
2. Rotterdam criteria
3. Ultrasound scan
4. Physical examination
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➢ Blood tests can be used to identify characteristic
changes in hormone levels, although these changes
are not universal. Women with polycystic ovary
syndrome may have elevated levels of:
• Testosterone
• Estrogen
• Luteinizing hormone
• Insulin
• Anti-mullerian hormone
➢ Rotterdam Criteria: Diagnosis typically requires
two of the following three findings:
• Hyperandrogenism
• Ovulatory dysfunction
• Polycystic ovaries
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➢ Ultrasound scanning:
When a transvaginal ultrasound is done for
suspected PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, it's to
see whether there are an excessive number of small
follicles on the ovaries—a hallmark of the condition.
This imaging test involves placing a probe in the
vagina to view these organs from the inside. The
sonographer will examine the patients’ ovary,
cervix, and uterus. The number of follicles on your
ovary will be counted to yield what is known as
an antral follicle count (AFC).
A Transvaginal
ultrasound
device
What Are
Antral Follicles?
Antral follicles are resting follicles that are found in the
ovary at the beginning of each menstrual cycle. They are
approximately 2 to 9 mm in size, which is less than half
an inch. .A high antral follicle count indicates a large
number of eggs that remained in the ovary instead of
being released. This may indicate PCOS.
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PCOS can be diagnosed by a gynecologist,
endocrinologist, or reproductive endocrinologist.—
medical specialists with additional training in evaluating
and treating hormonal disorders
Ultrasound image of a
polycystic ovary
➢ Physical examination can be done by a health care
provider to check whether the patient has PCOS. The
health care provider will do a physical exam and look
for extra hair growth, acne, and other signs of high
levels of the hormone androgen. He or she also will
take the patient’s blood pressure, measurement of the
waist, and calculate body mass index, a measure of the
body fat based on your height and weight
When making a diagnosis, doctors also take into account
that irregular periods and ovulation can be a normal
part of puberty or menopause, having polycystic ovaries
may run in families, and women with a family history of
PCOS or type 2 diabetes are at higher risk of PCOS. In
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addition, the ultrasound picture is not always clear and
some women with PCOS may have an ultrasound scan
that does not demonstrate polycystic ovary.
TREATMENT:
The healthcare provider will determine treatment based
on the symptoms, medical history and other health
conditions, and if the patient wants to get pregnant.
Treatments can include medications, lifestyle changes or
a combination of both.
IF THE PATIENT DON’T PLAN TO BECOME
PREGNANT, TREATMENTS INCLUDE:
1. Hormonal birth control: Options include birth control
pills, patches, shots, a vaginal ring or an intrauterine
device (IUD). Hormonal birth control helps to regulate
the menstrual cycle, some forms will also improve acne
and help with excess hair growth.
2. Insulin-sensitizing medicine: Metformin is a drug used
to treat diabetes. It works by helping the body process
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insulin. Once insulin is under control, some people with
PCOS see improvements in their menstrual cycles.
3. Medications to block androgens: Some medications can
block the effect of androgens. This helps control acne or
hair growth. The health care provider will decide on
whether to prescribe this method or not.
4. Lifestyle changes: Eating a nutritious diet and
maintaining a body weight. That can have a positive
effect on insulin levels.
If the patient wants to become pregnant now
or in the future, treatment for PCOS includes:
1. Drugs to induce ovulation (releasing an egg): A
successful pregnancy begins with ovulation. Certain
drugs have been proven to induce ovulation in people
with PCOS. Medications clomiphene and letrozole are
taken orally, while gonadotropins are given by injection
2. Surgery: A surgical procedure can help restore
ovulation by removing tissue in your ovaries that
produces androgen hormones. With newer
medications available, surgeons rarely perform this
procedure.
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3. In vitro fertilization (IVF): This is an option for people
with PCOS when medication doesn’t help with
ovulation. The provider fertilizes your egg in a lab
before transferring it to the uterus.
It is to be noted that PCOS has no complete cure but
the above-mentioned methods may reduce the effect of
it. As it is told earlier, PCOS is the commonest cause of
infertility and it commences at a very young age. It
may start just after a few menstrual cycles after
menarche or at early adult hood. The prevention for
PCOS is not yet clear how but with simple lifestyle
changes and habits, it may be possible. PCOS in some
women show effects even after menopause. Doctors
can no longer diagnose PCOS after menopause, as the
key features usually disappear. However, some
research suggests that underlying changes persist into
the later years. People with PCOS may have a higher
risk of metabolic syndrome after menopause than
those without, and some people continue to have
symptoms.
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CONCLUSION:
Here we come to the conclusion after summing up all
the information we have seen above, that diseases
are common in human welfare and it is us who must
be careful in our choices to not contact them. PCOS is
one such disease with no cure and no definite
prevention. A saying goes that says, -
“PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE” it not only
applies for diseases but also to life itself. Having a
disease means that the person is struggling with his
own self. For diseases like PCOS, women live
knowing that they have trouble with parenthood.
They suffer agony and mental damage. The people
around them must support and most importantly,
care for them. Most of all we must be the ones to
take care of ourselves. With simple and gradual habit
changes we can see enormous results in the end.
This not only does good to ourselves but for the
people and environment around us. Let’s build a
disease-free healthy society for our children
considering the future by keeping ourselves and our
surroundings clean. To conclude, we shall say that
one must make sure on his\her health and hygiene
not only for the betterment of themselves but for the
people and environment around them.
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bing.com
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betterhealth.vic.gov.au
researchgate.net
nyulangone.org
www.nhs.uk
verywellhealth.com
indiraivf.com
health-e.in
elanhealthcare.ca
www.jammiscans.com
www.mayoclinic.org
www.hopkinsmedicine.org
www.healthline.com
www.myovacare.com
www.who.int
Ferticity.com
www.emilyjensennutrition.com
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