PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) - Symptoms, causes & treatment

PCOS – Today there are several women who are having issues like irregular periods, excess body hair, etc. which are affecting their lives but most of the time, the root cause for these problems arises out of an imbalanced lifestyle, stressful conditions, not doing proper exercise or physical activity and adding on to it hormones imbalance, this might the sign of PCOS, out 8-13% of females across globe are having problem with PCOS and the most disappointing factor is that about 70% remain undiagnosed. Let us try to understand PCOS.

What is PCOS?

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a condition in which the female ovaries produce immature or partially mature eggs in large numbers and multiple small cysts (a structure-like sac pocket that gets filled by liquid) are formed in the ovaries. This cyst makes the size of the ovary large and hence, male hormones like androgen production in females increases can lead to conditions like irregular periods, scalp hair loss, unusual body hair growth, weight gain, etc.

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

The symptoms of PCOS can be irregular periods, skipped/fewer days of mensuration cycle, excess level of androgens, very heavy or less mensuration bleeding, excessive body hair growth, scalp hair loss, weight gain, acne, skin darkening (neck and near private parts), stress, anxiety, fatigue and difficulty in conceiving. Even low sex drive and high testosterone levels can be there among the symptoms.

What are the causes of PCOD?

There is no such particular cause of PCOS but lifestyle imbalance along with hormonal imbalance can be the factors to consider. Apart from this following can also contribute to PCOS-

Insulin resistance– If a person is insulin resistant then it’s difficult for glucose to enter into the cells that causes the body to produce more insulin and that leads to higher production of androgens that imbalances female hormones.
Excessive production of androgen– Both men and women do have estrogen hormone but very less in number in the case of women but when the amount increases in females the eggs remain undeveloped and can lead to conditions like infertility.
Obesity– It is noted that PCOS can affect anyone from different weight measures but the chances of getting affected by PCOS is much higher for obese women. That between 40–80% of females in this situation are reported to be overweight. Obesity is also considered to be a symptom of PCOS but can also be considered among the factors that lead to PCOS.
Chronic low-grade inflammation– It can be because of stress, lack of physical activities, wrong diet, etc.
Genetic– It has been seen that those with a near family history of PCOS do have much higher chances of getting affected by it.

What are the complications of PCOS?

Patience of PCOS can face abnormal urine miscarriage, infertility, type 2 diabetes labor and premature birth metabolic syndrome (A risk of high levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke), Anxiety and depression, sleep apnea that is common among overweight people endometrial tensor because of increase in size of ovary, uncontrolled label acne because of hormonal imbalance.

How to get PCOS diagnosed?

Worldwide Rotterdam’s criteria are used by doctors to determine PCOS in which out of the three conditions if the person is suffering from 2 then PCOS can be confirmed-

Irregular periods
Signs of excess male hormones.
Polycratic ovary on the ultrasound

If in ultrasound volume of the ovary is more than 10 ml and it’s showing more than 20 follicles then PCOS can be confirmed by the doctor along with other symptoms. It’s been found that Polycystic Ovary Syndrome prevalence according to Rotterdam’s criteria is about 11.34% in India.

Even a blood test is done to check on hormonal imbalance and based on the symptoms doctors can prescribe some other tests as well. For most women, however, the identification of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome occurs when women face difficulties in conception, typically during their 20s and 30s. Even stats in India on the prevalence of PCOS, are actually scary. As per the National Health Portal of India, the rate of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in Maharashtra was approximately 22.5%.

How to get treated?

The treatment for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome does not aim merely at curing, but rather managing the symptoms, which helps to live a healthier lifestyle. A balanced diet, managing weight, and exercise are all the factual basis for controlling the symptoms and resistance of insulin. Also, consulting a doctor regarding medication is a very crucial aspect of the treatment along with diet plans.

For menstrual disorders, hormonal birth control pills help regulate periods as well as aid in clearing acne and facial hair. With medications like metformin, there are also chances of balancing the insulin levels and losing weight. The use of medications like clomiphene citrate can regulate infertility, but the presence of a prescription from the doctor is required for the consumption of such medications, as they stimulate ovulation.

Are PCOD and PCOS the same?

There are many medical professionals who put both of these disorders in the same basket as PCOD might be considered as the forerunner of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. The fact is, however, PCOS and PCOD are not exactly the same. PCOD happens when ovaries in the body of a woman secrete partially formed or un-processed eggs that become cysts. On the other hand, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome arises from abnormalities that affect the system and cause the ovaries to generate more androgen hormones than required, thus enhancing the chances of formation of cysts. But unlike in PCOD, these cysts in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome do not rupture and the fluid is instead allowed to remain in the ovaries.

When to consult a doctor?

If any person is experiencing symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome like irregular, unusual body hair growth, etc. And the condition worsens even after some lifestyle changes then one should contact the doctor about the symptoms and work according to the doctor’s instructions.

A note from Kamarth

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a condition that can be managed initially but shouldn’t be ignored for long. If left untreated it may lead to problems like diabetes and challenges in getting pregnant. To effectively manage Polycystic Ovary Syndrome lifestyle changes such as regular exercise a balanced diet stress management strategies and necessary medication is must. It’s crucial to take steps without any hesitation, adopting this approach can help woman with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome to lead a fulfilling and healthy lives.

Some Additional Doubts

Question: Can PCOS can be fully recovered by physical exercise and diet?
Answer: PCOS can be reversed by following a good diet and doing exercise up to a large extent but it depends on the individual’s condition Diet and exercise are key factors in managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome but one should not fully rely on them, should consult a doctor as well if its symptoms are present.

Question: Does birth control help with PCOS symptoms?
Answer: Hormonal methods like the pill, patch or IUD are often suggested to regulate periods, reduce acne, and control excessive hair growth. They help balance hormones and can provide relief, from a range of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome issues.

Question: What Indian dishes are beneficial for managing PCOS?
Answer: An Indian meal plan that supports Polycystic Ovary Syndrome should focus on foods with a glycaemic index (GI) rich in fiber and healthy fats. Whole grains such as millets (bajra, jowar, ragi), legumes (chickpeas, lentils), lean proteins (tofu, paneer, eggs) and a variety of vegetables are excellent choices. It’s also crucial to include fats from sources like nuts, seeds and fish.

Question: Does PCOS worsen as one gets older?
Answer: The intensity of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome symptoms can change over the years. While certain symptoms may become milder with age, especially post menopause, others such as insulin resistance and the likelihood of metabolic disorders, may increase. Timely detection and ongoing care can assist in reducing these potential risks.

Question: Can PCOS increase because of stress?
Answer: Stress definitely increases the symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome because it also adds up the amounts of cortisol inside a body which in turn may lead to insulin resistance and hormonal imbalance in a female body, thus worsening symptoms such as acne, weight gain, and irregular periods. Relaxation exercises, yoga, or therapy can possibly reduce these symptoms.

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PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) – Symptoms, causes & treatment

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