Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

Dr. Errol Daley of Gynae Associates.

A childless woman is often referred to as a 'mule'? It may be that a woman chooses not to have a child, but some women, by nature, have no choice, or so we think.

The term 'mule' is not uncommon in Jamaica, but while the miracle of conception and childbirth comes easy for some women, for others, achieving this 'defining' moment of womanhood is next to impossible.

Females who are plagued with irregular or no menstrual cycles or who have problems becoming pregnant may have what is known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

PCOS is a health problem that can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, fertility, hormones, insulin production, heart, blood vessels, and appearance.

The change in appearance may be due to high levels of male hormones called androgens.

Dreams of motherhood

Twenty-two-year-old Lisa Williams' dreams of becoming a mother will have to be overseen by medical professionals, as PCOS has made it impossible for her to conceive naturally.

Diagnosed with the syndrome four years ago, Lisa explained that severe pain in her lower abdomen, several months of missed periods, cramps in her legs, weight gain in her abdomen, excessive hair growth and mood swings were the symptoms that finally drove her to the doctor after suffering through her early teens.

"My period was so irregular that sometimes for periods of up to six months I wouldn't have one. When it came, I bled heavily, I even bled for four consecutive weeks. That was when I sought help," she told Flair.

To regulate her periods, Lisa has been prescribed contraceptive pills, but as she told Flair, other drugs will have to be added in order for her to have a baby.

According to Dr. Errol Daley, consultant gynaecologist at Gynae Associates, Tangerine Place, Kingston 10, women who have PCOS are born with the condition.

Metphormin

One simple method of conception is prescribing the drug Metphormin (used to treat diabetics), which will allow the female to shed eggs more regularly.

"Another drug that will help this condition is Clomiphene, which will work at the level of the pituitary [gland] to get her to shed eggs; if this fails, surgery will be the next option. Ovarian drilling will be done and this will reduce the level of male hormones, allowing the female to shed her eggs," Dr. Daley explained.

He noted that a combination of the above methods results in 80-90 per cent of women with PCOS becoming pregnant.

If you have several of the following symptoms, consult your gynaecologist to find out if you have PCOS.

Symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS):

Infrequent menstrual periods, no menstrual periods, and/or irregular bleeding.

Infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating.

Increased growth of hair on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs, or toes.

Acne, oily skin, or dandruff.

Pelvic pain.

Weight gain or obesity, usually carrying extra weight around the waist.

Type Two diabetes.

High cholesterol.

High blood pressure.

Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair.

Patches of thickened and dark brown or black skin on the neck, arms, breasts, or thighs.

Skin tags, or tiny excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area.

Sleep apnea - excessive snoring and breathing stops at times while asleep.

N.B.: Not all women who have problems getting pregnant have PCOS.