(PCOS) Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
It is one of the most common endocrine diseases affecting 6 to 10 % of childbearing age women. It can be a complex hormonal and metabolic condition.
The symptoms of PCOS are usually present at puberty, but it may take many years before patients are correctly diagnosed. Diagnosing PCOS can be tricky because not all women will have the same symptoms. The name ‘polycystic’ suggests you might have multiple ‘cysts’ on your ovaries.
Causes
While the exact causes are still unknown, doctors believe genetics and metabolism problems leading to hormonal imbalance are the main reasons that cause PCOS, which, in turn, affect the overall health and appearance of women.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms include irregularity in periods, weight gain, acne, infertility, and miscarriages.
Levels of androgen hormone (also known as male hormones) may go up than usual and results in excess hair on the face, chest, stomach, thumbs, or toes and dark discoloration of skin or spots at various body parts.
Many women with PCOS are more likely to develop other concurrent metabolic health problems, such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and mental issues like depression and anxiety in later life. These are linked to the weight gain typical in women.
Diagnosis
To be diagnosed with PCOS, a woman must have 2 of 3 possible problems: irregular periods, high levels of hormones (such as LH, testosterone, or fasting Insulin), and ovaries that contain multiple tiny cysts, which is diagnosed by sonography. These cysts in this are very small (<10 mm).
Treatment
There is no permanent cure for PCOS yet, but there are many ways you can decrease or eliminate PCOS symptoms and feel better.
Your doctor may offer different medicines that can treat symptoms such as irregular periods, acne, excess hair, and elevated blood sugar.
Fertility treatments are available to help women get pregnant.Medications in the form of dietary supplements, sugar controlling drugs, and hormonal pills are available for curing some of the symptoms like irregularity in periods, acne, and excess hair growth.
Fertility treatments like ovulation Induction medicines, laparoscopic PCO drilling, IUI, and IVF are available to solve infertility.
Weight reduction may prove to help treat infertility as exercise and proper diet regularizes ovulation.
Although medications can play a vital role in normalizing hormones and treating PCOS to a certain level and temporarily, please remember that It is a lifestyle disorder where lack of exercise and disciplined food habits are major contributing factors for this.
A healthier lifestyle is considered an essential step to managing PCOS, starting with a healthy diet, regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight.
