The ovaries are an important organ of the female reproductive system. Any failures in its work lead to dysfunction of the gonads, disruption of the cycle, inability to conceive a child. Therefore, when the initial signs of the disorder appear, it is necessary to immediately begin treatment. One of the serious pathologies that require close attention from doctors is multifollicular ovary syndrome (MFOS). The causes and methods of its treatment will be discussed in today's article.
View of the menstrual cycle
The female body has a certain supply of embryonic eggs. They are formed in the fetus in the embryonic period. The immature reproductive cell is located in a special sac - the follicle. In each menstrual cycle, several of these embryos mature. Normally, only 4-7 of them are activated. For some time they develop simultaneously. Then one or two "leading" cellsovertake the rest, slowing down their growth. These are the so-called dominant follicles. One of them will ovulate in the current cycle.
At this moment, the walls of the pouch burst. It produces an egg ready for fertilization. For some time it remains in the abdominal cavity, and then penetrates into the fallopian tube. The bursting dominant follicle continues its active development. A corpus luteum forms in its place. This is a temporary endocrine gland that is responsible for controlling the expected pregnancy. If conception does not occur within 2-3 days, the egg dies. The corpus luteum is completely destroyed a few days before the date of the expected menstruation.
Multifollicular ovaries - what does it mean?
Sometimes more than eight follicles mature simultaneously in the ovaries, and there is no dominant copy. They are enlarged and are clearly visible during an ultrasound examination, which allows the doctor to make an appropriate diagnosis.
It should be noted that this condition does not always require immediate treatment. Multifollicular ovaries in some periods of the female cycle are a variant of the norm. This is the first phase. At this time, several follicles are activated and simultaneously start growing at once. By the middle of the cycle, everything returns to normal.
However, diagnosed pathology requires attention from doctors. Improper use of reproductive material contributes to the appearance of cystic formations, making it difficult to have children.
MFOS and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Patients who have had to deal with infertility are forced to undergo regular examinations at the gynecologist. According to the results of the examination, one doctor can diagnose "polycystic", and the other - "MFN". There is a separate category of doctors who are convinced of the identity of these pathologies, so they simply do not share them. Such conclusions can disorientate the patient and provoke illiterate treatment.
To avoid such situations, it is necessary to choose an ultrasound diagnostician who is also a gynecologist. As a rule, such specialists have more competence in the matter. What is the difference between the two diagnoses?
If we compare the manifestations of MFN and PCOS, then in the second case, the ovaries have the following distinctive features:
- more than 10 units of follicles;
- bubbles larger than 10mm;
- capsule significantly thickened;
- peripheral location;
- an increase in the size of the ovaries themselves.
Polycystic disease is a serious disorder that is accompanied by the formation of multiple cysts. This happens due to a change in the structure of the tissues, which is compacted and does not allow the follicles to break. However, the vesicles themselves remain in place, fill with fluid and transform into cysts. If therapy is not always required with MFN, then polycystic disease must be treated.
Main reasons
Most often, multifollicular ovaries are detected against the background of hormonal imbalance. With suchviolation familiar to many girls during puberty. This phenomenon is considered a variant of the norm.
In adulthood, hormonal imbalance can be due to the following reasons:
- History of frequent abortions.
- Dramatic weight loss or weight gain. The presence of an optimal amount of adipose tissue is an important condition for the full secretion of sex hormones. Its deficiency or excess contributes to the violation of the concentration of estrogens.
- Using oral contraceptives. The action of drugs is initially aimed at suppressing natural ovulation. Therefore, whole follicles are preserved in the ovaries. After stopping the drug for several months, the situation usually stabilizes.
- The period of pregnancy and lactation. During breastfeeding in the body of a woman, an increased production of the hormone prolactin is observed. It stimulates milk production, but at the same time suppresses ovulation.
- Endocrine pathologies. Diseases of the thyroid and pancreas cause gonadal dysfunction.
- Psycho-emotional overload. Stressful situations are often accompanied by hormonal imbalances.
Scientists have found that MFN syndrome has the ability to be inherited. If a woman grows more than 8 follicles every month, the probability of a recurrence of the pathology in her daughter is quite high.
Clinical picture
In every fourth woman of childbearing age, during ultrasound diagnostics, doctors detectmultifollicular structure of the ovaries. Follicles of normal size and with an unchanged capsule are clearly visible during the procedure. Their diameter can vary from 4 to 8 mm, and the total number does not exceed 10 units. Pathological changes can affect one or both ovaries at the same time. However, only one ultrasound examination is not enough to make a diagnosis and schedule an examination. It is important for the doctor to study the patient's history and related complaints.
Signs of multifollicular ovaries are manifested primarily by a violation of the uterine cycle. The physiological symptoms of this condition are listed below:
- Anovulatory cycles (lack of ovulation up to 5 times a year). The main causes of dysfunction are cystic formations or non-maturing of the dominant follicle.
- Irregular periods due to malfunctioning of the ovaries. In this case, the duration of the first phase of the cycle is from 30 to 40 days instead of the prescribed 12-14. The last or luteal phase is very short. It lasts only 8-10 days instead of 14.
- Long absence of menstruation.
- Infertility.
Multifollicular ovaries should not be taken as a definitive diagnosis. This is just the conclusion of an ultrasound examination. If this condition is not accompanied by a violation of the cycle and the absence of ovulation, it is recognized as the norm. Therefore, no specific therapy is required. Otherwise, the doctor should prescribe additional tests to clarify the diagnosis.
Is pregnancy possible?
Many women believe that multifollicular ovaries and pregnancy are incompatible things. In fact, everything is not so difficult. If pregnancy has already occurred, MFN does not affect the gestation process. In this case, hormonal correction with medication is not required.
The main difficulty lies in the process of conception. It is difficult enough to achieve monthly ovulation to be able to conceive a baby in each cycle. There is only one way to eliminate such a problem - to regulate the hormonal status for the growth of the dominant follicle and endometrium. If this option also turns out to be ineffective, the couple should contact a gynecologist-reproductologist. The specialist will prescribe ovulation stimulation. With multifollicular ovaries, this process is carried out through periodic injections of drugs. At the same time, ultrasound diagnostics should be done every two days to evaluate the treatment.
When the size of the dominant follicle reaches its peak, the woman is given an injection of hCG to break the integrity of the capsule. In this case, the egg has the opportunity to exit and enter the fallopian tube for subsequent fertilization.
Medical examination
The most informative diagnostic method is ultrasound. A qualified specialist during the examination can easily determine the multifollicular ovaries. Signs of pathology are:
- slight increase in ovarian size;
- smallerechogenicity compared to uterus;
- presence of multiple (more than 20) antral follicles and their diffuse location;
- the dominant follicle does not have a thickened capsule.
To clarify the diagnosis, ultrasound is prescribed three times: at the beginning, middle and end of the menstrual cycle. This approach allows you to track the number of maturing follicles in dynamics. To prescribe competent treatment, a blood test for sex hormones may be required.
Features of therapy
Special treatment for multifollicular ovaries is not usually required. After the examination, a gynecologist-endocrinologist may prescribe drugs to correct the hormonal background and ensure that the maturing follicles are able to ovulate. Normalization of the female cycle, the possibility of successful conception and pregnancy are the main goals pursued by therapy for this pathology. Drug treatment of multifollicular ovaries involves taking the following drugs:
- Combined oral contraceptives with a low content of the hormone estrogen. This group includes "Logest", "Jess" and "Yarina". These drugs reduce the level of androgens in the blood, making the cells less sensitive to their effects. The minimum course of admission is three months. In adolescence, homeopathic medicines serve as an alternative to COCs. For example, "Cyclodynon".
- "Dufaston". The drug is prescribed for deficiency of luteal phase hormones. "Dufaston" does not affect ovulation, but helps to normalize the cycle andhormonal status. It is a kind of trigger for certain processes in the endometrium, thereby preparing the uterus for pregnancy. The tool does not affect metabolic processes. Its dosage is determined by the doctor. The course of treatment lasts from 3 to 6 months. When pregnancy occurs, Dufaston cannot be abruptly canceled, as the likelihood of a miscarriage increases.
- Vitamin therapy. Regardless of the cause of multifollicular changes in the ovaries, it is recommended to take mineral complexes during treatment. It is necessary that they contain a large amount of vitamins E and B.
If the cause of MFN is stress, you should definitely go through a conversation with a psychologist. In especially serious cases, tranquilizers and antidepressants may be required.
Help of traditional medicine
Herbs with phytohormones can normalize the he alth of a woman with multifollicular ovaries. Reviews of the fair sex also indicate that the recipes of folk healers help create favorable conditions in the body for the maturation of eggs and increase the chances of conceiving a child. The most popular treatment options are listed below.
- Abraham tree increases the concentration of luteinizing hormone in the blood. It will take 10 g of dried fruits to pour a glass of boiling water, let it brew. It is recommended to take the remedy as a tea in the mornings and evenings. You can use honey as a bite. The course of admission is 3 months.
- Meadow lumbagonormalizes the female cycle. It is necessary to pour 5 tablespoons of dry shoots into 0.5 liters of fortified wine, preheated in a water bath. Then add 2 tablespoons of sugar to the decoction and leave it for 3 weeks in a dark place. Take the resulting medicine 25 ml twice a day. In case of gastrointestinal diseases, it is recommended to use it after meals.
- Cowweed restores the natural process of egg maturation. Approximately 100 g of herbs insist on red wine. After that, a liter of the drink should be brought to a boil, add a few clove inflorescences, a couple of tablespoons of honey. It is recommended to insist in a dark place, but not more than three days. Take 50 ml before bedtime. On the days of menstruation, it is better to refuse such treatment.
Recipes of alternative medicine, when compared with pharmaceutical therapy, have practically no side effects. However, before treating multifollicular ovaries, it is necessary to consult a gynecologist.
Prevention Methods
The female reproductive system is sensitive enough to all changes that occur in the body. Therefore, if there is a predisposition to multifollicular changes in the ovary, it is necessary to regularly undergo an ultrasound examination for the timely detection of pathology. In addition, for preventive purposes, doctors recommend:
- Control body weight. Sudden weight loss or weight gain can trigger a hormonal imbalance.
- Physical activitymust be within reasonable limits.
- Do not use hormonal drugs or oral contraceptives without a prescription from a gynecologist.
- Any discomfort in the pelvic area is a reason to see a doctor.
Left or right ovary with multifollicular function is considered normal if they do not harm the reproductive system. With such a phenomenon, you can fully live without medical interventions.
