Polycystic ovary syndrome (Stein-Leventhal syndrome) is a female hormonal condition that is the main cause of menstrual irregularities, anovulation, which leads to infertility. The incidence of Stein-Leventhal syndrome is about 3% among all gynecological diseases in women at the final stage of puberty and the formation of childbearing function, at the beginning of an active sexual life (women aged 20 to 30 are most often affected).
Historical facts
The pioneers of Stein-Leventhal Syndrome, who first described this condition in detail, were scientists Stein and Leventhal in 1935, after whom it got its name.
The first and only treatment was radical surgery. Removal of areas with the highest content of cysts made it possible in some cases to restore fertility (the ability to fertilize) to a woman, to return the onset of ovulation and the ability to have children. But such a radical solution to the problem did not always lead to success, and also contributed to the formation of adhesions and other complications.
Clinical picture
Stein-Leventhal disease is characterized by increased secretion of male and female sex hormones, dysfunction of the ovaries, irregular ovulation or their absence at all, hypersecretion of the adrenal cortex and pancreas. She is also characterized by irregular menstruation and infertility.
Women suffering from the syndrome cannot become pregnant due to lack of ovulation. And if they succeed, then bearing a child is extremely difficult for them, there is a significant risk of miscarriage or premature birth.
With the right treatment, the prognosis is good and most women are able to carry and give birth to he althy babies.
Reasons
Until the end, the circumstances that cause the occurrence of pathology are unknown. There is a hereditary predisposition, as well as conditions that are at risk, in which Stein-Leventhal syndrome may develop. The reasons may be as follows:
- Genetic predisposition, a history of the syndrome in one of the family members, blood relatives. The possibility of transmission of the syndrome by inheritance is not ruled out. Most often, women who have had cases of polycystic ovaries in their family, as well as other conditions characterized by a pathological enlargement of the ovaries, the growth of their membranes, are most often ill.
- Diseases of the hypothalamic-pituitary system, for example, congenital dysfunction of the adrenal cortex.
- Fibroma of the uterus.
- Mastopathy.
- Violation of synthesis processesestrogen in the ovaries.
Indirect causes of the syndrome
Indirect causes that can provoke polycystic ovaries include:
- obesity, rapid weight gain;
- cancers;
- metabolic disorder;
- presence of cardiovascular diseases (stroke, myocardial infarction, hypertension);
- diabetes.
When should I see a doctor?
There are warning signs that may indicate Stein-Leventhal syndrome. These signs do not yet speak of a final diagnosis, but are just an occasion to visit a doctor to check your he alth. These include:
- Male-pattern hair (hirsutism) is the very first sign and symptom that may indicate the development of polycystic ovary syndrome.
- Irregular menstruation, too little bleeding.
- Infertility, inability to conceive, inability to bear a fetus, miscarriages.
- Acne, acne, greasiness of the skin, too oily scalp and hair.
Main symptoms
Stein-Leventhal Syndrome is characterized by the presence of symptoms that can be observed in most affected women:
- Scanty periods, irregular cycle, no ovulation.
- Obesity with deposition of fat in the abdomen.
- Underdevelopment of the uterus.
- Alopecia in the crown area, the presence of lateral bald patches and in the forehead.
- Enlargement of the ovaries, the appearance of many cysts on their surfaces.
- Depression, apathy, nervousness, irritability, aggressiveness.
- Increase in the level of male androgen hormones in the blood (testosterone, androstenedione).
- Symptoms similar to premenstrual syndrome (swelling of the mammary glands, pulling pain in the lower abdomen, frequent mood swings, swelling, back pain).
- Involuntary cessation of breathing during sleep (apnea), which leads to sleep disturbance, lack of sleep, fatigue.
- Chronic pains in the lower abdomen caused by the growth of the endometrium of the ovaries, pulling conditions.
- Growth and thickening of the endometrium of the uterus due to the production of excess estrogen.
- Decreased globulin levels.
- Increased blood insulin levels.
Changes in appearance
Most often, women are morally difficult to endure Stein-Leventhal syndrome. The appearance of a woman is not changing for the better, which causes discomfort, self-doubt, moral suffering and depression. The most unpleasant problem is the appearance of hair where a woman should not have it. The shape of the mammary glands does not change, as does the physique. The most unpleasant symptoms that lead to dissatisfaction with your body are:
- deposition of fat in the abdomen;
- increased oiliness of the skin, acne;
- the appearance of stretch marks, striae on the hips, abdomen and buttocks;
- darkcolor spots on the skin;
- seborrhea, increased skin flaking, dandruff;
- baldness, male pattern hair loss;
- small wrinkles and folds on the skin.
The ovaries pathologically increase in size, their shell thickens, becomes dense and shiny. A large number of follicular cysts appear on their surface, pronounced vascular sclerosis and proliferation of connective tissue are observed.
Hirsutism
The most unpleasant symptom of Stein-Leventhal syndrome is hirsutism. It is characterized by the appearance of hard and long hair on the body of a woman according to the male type: in the chest area, on the stomach, cheeks, above the upper lip, chin, and also on the upper back, along the spine, around the nipples.
Treatment of the syndrome does not lead to getting rid of excess hair. To get rid of them, laser, photo and electrolysis are used, which will completely remove excess hair for a long time. And with several repeated procedures and forever.
Diagnosis
The condition is diagnosed if there are several signs that are most characteristic of women who are concerned about Stein-Leventhal syndrome. Photos of women suffering from the syndrome prove that not everyone has pronounced hirsutism due to the production of male sex hormones in excess of the norm. Therefore, the main features include:
- Excess activity and secretion of male sex hormones (androgens).
- Very rare ovulation - oligoovulation. Ortheir absence at all is anovulation.
- Ultrasound shows polycystic ovaries if there are no other obvious causes of cyst formation.
- Significant enlargement of the ovaries on both sides.
Diagnosing with x-rays and ultrasound.
Analysis indicators
In the blood there is a decrease in estrogen levels, but an increase in androgen hormones. It also increases their excretion in the urine.
To diagnose the syndrome, special hormonal tests (chorionic gonadotropin or progesterone) are used, which are excreted in elevated concentrations in the urine, which indicates their excessive formation in the ovaries.
Traditional medical treatment
The main principle in treatment is to ensure the occurrence of ovulation in a woman diagnosed with Stein-Leventhal syndrome. The treatment is long-term and complex, mainly carried out with the help of hormonal drugs.
Estrogen-containing progestin drugs ("Ovidon", "Regevidon") are used. Also, as part of complex therapy, antiandrogens are used, which effectively eliminate the symptoms of androgenization, limiting the synthesis of these hormones and their hypersecretion in the glands.
Treatment of Stein-Leventhal syndrome with folk remedies can also be effective in achieving such a goal as pregnancy. Basically, various herbal infusions are used.
If the positive effect of the drugs is not observed withinsix months, then surgical methods for solving the problem are used - wedge-shaped resection of the ovaries. In some cases, curettage of the uterus is recommended. Also, these methods are considered effective in the pathological growth of the endometrium by more than 20% after the age of 30.
The most modern and gentle method to prevent the formation of adhesions is laparoscopy (microresection, electropuncture, laser vaporization).
After the operation, women are shown mandatory medical supervision and medical examination. If after six months it turned out that the treatment of Stein-Leventhal syndrome did not help, medications are prescribed again. After surgery, the response to drugs is increased, which allows you to achieve good results.
There are no preventive measures against the development of the syndrome, since the nature and causes of its occurrence are not fully understood. Male-pattern hair can be the first wake-up call for the onset of polycystic ovary syndrome, so at the slightest sign of unusual changes in appearance, you should consult a specialist.
Stein-Leventhal syndrome: herbal treatment
Treatment with folk methods, and in particular with herbs, should in no case be used as an independent therapy and a replacement for traditional methods. This is just one of the components that can become effective only with an integrated approach.
In order to increase the chance of pregnancy,it is necessary to take tinctures of the following herbs:
- Knotweed pour one tablespoon with one glass of boiling water. After infusion (2-3 hours), take half a glass before each meal.
- Adam root tincture is prepared in exactly the same way, only it should be infused for more than 2 hours, wrapped in a towel or other warm cloth. Take one tablespoon before meals 4 times a day.
- Tincture of medicinal sage should be brewed in the same way. It should be taken three times a day, dividing the glass into three doses, no later than half an hour before meals.
- Marsh wild rosemary is brewed in the proportion of 1 glass of water to 1 teaspoon of grass, infused for about 8 hours, after which it is taken half a glass before meals throughout the day.
- To prepare a tincture from the collection of herbs, you will need parsley leaves, motherwort, rose hips, plantain, lemon balm, marigold flowers, sage, string, strawberry leaves and St. John's wort, 10 grams each. Pour everything into a thermos, pour boiling water (250 ml), leave for no more than 20 minutes. Then pour into another container and leave for about half an hour. Take half a glass three times a day before meals.
To achieve the best result during treatment, a woman's diet should include the following foods that contain a lot of vitamins A, E, C and B:
- garlic:
- radish;
- celery;
- pistachio fruits;
- green onions;
- corn;
- grapes.
Consequences and risks
Inadequate treatment can lead to a variety of consequences. Due to the excess production of androgens that characterizes Stein-Leventhal syndrome, a woman's appearance can change dramatically, but more serious diseases also develop, such as:
- diabetes mellitus;
- breast cancer;
- stroke;
- heart attack;
- endometrial cancer, hyperplasia.
Mechanisms for the development of pathology are not yet fully understood. More recently, scientists have managed to find effective drug therapy, when previously only surgical methods of treatment were categorically used. In modern medical practice, many cases of almost complete recovery have been recorded. In women, menstruation resumes, ovulation appears, and with it the chance to successfully become pregnant, endure and give birth to a he althy baby. You should not start a state, every woman can be helped. How effective help will be depends not only on the individual course of the disease, but also on its timely diagnosis, the use of complex therapy.
