PCOS- an essential guide to female healthcare
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine and metabolic disorders in premenopausal women. Heterogeneous by nature, it is defined by a combination of signs and symptoms of androgen excess and ovarian dysfunction. Although the exact cause is still unknown, it can be attributed widely as a complex multigenic disorder with strong epigenetic and environmental influences, including diet and lifestyle factors.
PCOS is frequently associated with insulin resistance, obesity, metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk factors. The diagnosis and treatment of PCOS are not complicated, requiring the judicious application of well-standardized diagnostic methods and appropriate therapeutic approaches, like we at HMC strongly follow.
The hormonal imbalance attributed to PCOS creates problems in the ovaries. The ovaries make the egg that is released each month as part of a healthy menstrual cycle. With PCOS, the egg may not develop as it should or it may not be released during ovulation as it should be.
PCOS can cause missed or irregular menstrual periods. Irregular periods can further lead to:
- Infertility (inability to get pregnant). In fact, PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women.
- Development of cysts (small fluid-filled sacs) in the ovaries
Between 5% and 10% of women between 15 and 44 are diagnosed with PCOS these days. Most women find this out in their 20s and 30s, when they have problems getting pregnant and see their gynecologist. But PCOS can happen at any age after puberty, which is why it becomes essential to keep check on one’s ovarian health and consult the doctor at the earliest on noticing any symptom of the same.
Women of all races, ethnicities, age or size are at risk of PCOS, however this may be enhanced if one has obesity or a mother, sister, or aunt with PCOS.
Ovulation happens when a mature egg is released from an ovary. This happens so it can be fertilized by a male sperm. If the egg is not fertilized, it is sent out of the body during your period.
In some cases, a woman doesn’t make enough of the hormones needed to ovulate. When ovulation doesn’t happen, the ovaries can develop many small fluid-filled sacs (cysts). These cysts make hormones called androgens. Androgens are a type of male hormone, but women normally have them in smaller amounts. Women with PCOS often have high levels of androgens. This can cause more problems with a woman’s menstrual cycle. And it can cause many of the symptoms of PCOS.
Although Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a set of symptoms caused by a problem with a woman’s hormones which affects the ovaries, in some cases it can lead to serious health issues if not treated.
How to spot symptoms of PCOS?
The symptoms of PCOS may include the following:
- Missed periods, irregular periods, or very light periods
- Ovaries that are large or have many cysts
- Extra body hair, including the chest, stomach, and back (hirsutism)
- Weight gain, especially around the belly
- Acne or oily skin
- Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair
- Infertility
- Small pieces of extra skin on the neck or armpits (skin tags)
- Dark or thick skin patches on the back of the neck, in the armpits, and under the breasts
It is essential to always be aware of one’s body and keep track of the menstrual cycle while taking care and precaution for good feminine health. Self inspection at an early stage becomes vital to spot symptoms and once any of the above mentioned symptoms have been noticed, one must consult a gynecologist at the earliest to cure PCOS right at the beginning itself.
How will a doctor diagnose PCOS?
Our healthcare providers and internationally trained and experienced gynecologists at HMC will begin by inquiring about your health history and your symptoms. You will also have a physical exam. This will likely include a pelvic exam. This exam checks the health of your reproductive organs, both inside and outside your body, which is imperative to the diagnosis.
Some of the symptoms of PCOS are like those caused by other health problems. Because of this, you may also have tests such as:
- Ultrasound- This test uses sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. This test is used to look at the size of the ovaries and see if they have cysts. The test can also look at the thickness of the lining of the uterus (endometrium). We use superior quality tools for the same which are cleaned and sanitized regularly to ensure safety and hygiene.
- Blood tests- These detect high levels of androgens and other hormones. You may be required to get your blood glucose levels checked along with your cholesterol and triglyceride levels for an in-depth analysis.
How will my PCOS be treated?
Treatment for PCOS depends on a number of factors. These may include your age, how severe your symptoms are as well as your overall health. The type of treatment may also depend on whether you want to become pregnant in the future as this factor plays a crucial role in medication administration.
If you do plan to become pregnant, your treatment may include:
- A change in diet and activity- A healthy diet and more physical activity can help you lose weight and reduce your symptoms. They can also help your body use insulin more efficiently, lower blood glucose levels and may help you ovulate.
- Medicines to cause ovulation- Medicines can help the ovaries to release eggs normally. These medicines however also have certain risks. They can increase the chance for a multiple birth (twins or more). And they can cause ovarian hyperstimulation. This is when the ovaries release too many hormones. It can cause symptoms such as belly bloating and pelvic pain.
If you don’t plan to become pregnant, your treatment may include:
- Birth control pills- These help to control menstrual cycles, lower androgen levels, and reduce acne.
- Diabetes medicine- This is often used to lower insulin resistance in PCOS. It may also help reduce androgen levels, slow hair growth, and help you ovulate more regularly.
- A change in diet and activity- A healthy diet and more physical activity can help you lose weight and reduce your symptoms. They can also help your body use insulin more efficiently, lower blood glucose levels, and may help you ovulate. Regulating internal health naturally is very important.
- Medicines to treat other symptoms- Some medicines can help reduce hair growth or acne, which might be caused due to PCOS symptoms.
How PCOS affects your body
Having higher-than-normal androgen levels can affect your fertility and other aspects of your health.
Infertility
To get pregnant, you have to ovulate. Women who don’t ovulate regularly don’t release as many eggs to be fertilized. PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility in women.
Metabolic syndrome
Up to 80 percent of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. Both obesity and PCOS increase your risk for high blood sugar, high blood pressure, low HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
Together, these factors are called metabolic syndrome, and they increase the risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Sleep apnea
This condition causes repeated pauses in breathing during the night, which interrupt sleep.
Sleep apnea is more common in women who are overweight especially if they also have PCOS. The risk for sleep apnea is 5 to 10 times higher in obese women with PCOS than in those without PCOS .
Endometrial cancer
During ovulation, the uterine lining sheds. If you don’t ovulate every month, the lining can build up.
A thickened uterine lining can increase your risk for endometrial cancer
Depression
Both hormonal changes and symptoms like unwanted hair growth can negatively affect your emotions. Many with PCOS end up experiencing depression and anxiety.
Life with PCOS
PCOS is now the most common lifestyle disorder affecting female healthcare all over the world. Women with PCOS are more likely to develop certain serious health problems. These include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, problems with the heart and blood vessels, and uterine cancer. Women with PCOS often have problems with their ability to get pregnant (fertility).
Some women struggle with the physical symptoms of PCOS, such as weight gain, hair growth, and acne. Cosmetic treatments, such as electrolysis and laser hair removal, may help you feel better and more confident about your appearance. We at HMC also provide superior laser hair removal treatments in our dermatology department to help you feel radiant and ever confident!
What I should always remember about my PCOS
- PCOS is a very common hormone problem for women of childbearing age.
- Women with PCOS may not ovulate, have high levels of androgens, and have many small cysts on the ovaries.
- PCOS can cause missed or irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, infertility, and weight gain.
- Women with PCOS may be at higher risk for type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart problems, and endometrial cancer.
- The types of treatment for PCOS may depend on whether or not a woman plans to become pregnant. Women who plan to become pregnant in the future may take different kinds of medicines.
Tips to help you get the most from a visit to a gynecologist-
We at HMC firmly believe in providing the best answers to all your problems to satisfy and clear all your doubts once you consult us. Our Endocrinology Department consists of highly trained and internationally experienced doctors who have treated many patients and helped cure PCOS in the most pain-free and comfortable way, while also guiding patients about maintaining a naturally healthy lifestyle. Here are a few tips for you, when you do plan to visit us on spotting any symptoms of PCOS-
- Before your visit, you may write down all questions you want answered.
- Bringing someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.
- It’s important to know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you along with the side effects, which we give you a detailed description about.
To know more and book a consultation with us, you can visit our website- https://www.hmcmedicalcenter.com/
