Best Hospital in Thane - Horizon Prime Hospital

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome On The Rise, Affects One In Five Women

Don’t Struggle Alone With PCOS, It’s Manageable

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS Treatment in Thane) is highly common and likely to rank as the most frequently observed hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age. PCOS is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women of reproductive age, with an estimated 5% to 10% of women worldwide experiencing its effects The prevalence studies suggests that in India 1 in 5 women suffer from PCOS. Most women who have PCOS experience anovulation, which leads to issues like infertility and abnormal menstrual bleeding. From irregular menstrual cycles to infertility, PCOS can significantly impact a woman’s ability to conceive but it doesn’t make pregnancy impossible.

Dr Hrushikesh Vaidya, Medical Director and Chairman, Horizon Group of Hospitals said “PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that affects ovarian function. Women with PCOS may have an excess of androgens and insulin resistance, leading to the formation of small cysts on the ovaries. This imbalance disrupts the normal menstrual cycle, making ovulation infrequent or absent in many cases. Because ovulation is critical for conception, this disruption is the primary reason PCOS is closely linked to infertility.”

Dr Hrushikesh Vaidya further said “PCOS is a systemic condition with poorly understood etio-pathologies, aside from reproductive pathology. Insulin resistance is more common in women with PCOS, and it’s unfortunate that there is little information available about the mechanism underlying PCOS-induced diabetes and etiology-specific treatments. The faulty gene that causes the impaired metabolic pathway is the cause of PCOS and ovarian dysfunction. Restoring ovulation and treating hirsutism with hormonal contraceptives and antiandrogens are the main treatment modalities for PCOS.”

Dr Ria Vaidya, CEO, Horizon Group of Hospitals said “PCOS affects 1 in 5 women in India. From irregular menstrual cycles to infertility PCOS can significantly impact a woman’s ability to conceive but it doesn’t make pregnancy impossible. With proper management, including lifestyle changes, medication and fertility treatments, many women with PCOS are able to successfully become pregnant. Regular check-ups and early intervention are key to understanding the condition and managing it effectively can empower women with effective strategies to achieve their reproductive goals.”

Dr Manali Shilotri, Leading Gynaecologist and Consultant Horizon Prime Hospital said “A functional cyst is an ovarian cyst formed when the ovary does not release the ovum and instead forms cysts filled with fluid and ovum. The presence of multiple cysts in the ovary is termed as PCOS which obstruct the menstrual cycle called amenorrhea, hamper conception and pregnancy loss. Around 8–13% of people worldwide have PCOS. The frequency of PCOS varies throughout India between 3.5% and 25% depending on the demographics and conditions. Uncertainties in diagnosis arise because some women have PCOS without cysts. Due to lack of awareness, a large number of teenage and young women in India do not visit gynaecologists for routine check-ups and remain undiagnosed. Late diagnosis of PCOS comes up with other problem like infertility, sleep apnea, depression, obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular problems, endometrial cancer, fatty liver and hepatitis and its associated complications”.

Few Myths About PCOS

• Myth #1: You Did Something to Cause It : While the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, one thing is certain: You are not to blame. However, several factors — including genetics — are widely believed to play a role.
• Myth #2: If You Lose Weight, You Can Get Rid of PCOS : Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS, but overweight and obese women can help balance their hormone levels by losing weight. Otherwise, treatment is aimed at managing symptoms. Lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and regular exercise, improve the way your body uses insulin and, therefore, regulates your hormone levels better.
• Myth #3: PCOS is a Rare Condition : PCOS is a very common condition affecting one in five women, which makes the condition one of the most common hormonal endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age.
• Myth #4: You Can’t Get Pregnant if You Have PCOS : This isn’t true for everyone. A number of medications can stimulate ovulation, which is the main issue that women with PCOS face.
• Myth #5: PCOS Only Affects Overweight Women : It is true that many women who have PCOS are overweight or obese. And it’s also true that obesity can make PCOS symptoms worse. However, PCOS does not discriminate and can affect women of all shapes and sizes. The relationship between weight and PCOS has to do with the body’s inability to use insulin properly, which can lead to weight gain.

Symptoms

Because the characteristic features of PCOS—absence of ovulation, indicated by irregular menstrual periods or no periods at all; high androgen levels; and growths in one or both ovaries, often clumps of ovarian follicles that have stopped developing—are wide ranging, so, too, are the symptoms of the condition. Often, people and health care providers may not suspect PCOS because the symptoms may seem unrelated. 

• Menstrual irregularities:
  • No menstrual periods—called amenorrhea 
  • Skipped periods—called oligomenorrhea
  • Very heavy periods
  • Bleeding but no ovulation—called anovulatory periods
• Infertility
• Increased hair growth on the face, chest, belly, or upper thighs—a condition called hirsutism
• Severe, late-onset, or persistent acne that does not respond well to common treatments
• Headaches
• Insulin sensitivity
• Obesity, weight gain, or trouble losing weight, especially around the waist
• Oily skin
• Patches of thickened, dark, velvety skin

For many adolescents, these symptoms may also be part of puberty, especially early in the process. A health care provider may consider PCOS treatments for severe symptoms even without a diagnosis of PCOS.  Because many people don’t consider oily skin, increased hair growth, or acne to be symptoms of a serious health condition, they may not mention these things to their health care providers. As a result, many people aren’t diagnosed with PCOS until they have trouble getting pregnant, or until they have menstrual irregularities. Although PCOS is a leading cause of infertility, many people of reproductive age with PCOS can and do get pregnant. Pregnant people who have PCOS, however, are at higher risk for certain problems, such as miscarriage.

Causes

The exact cause of PCOS is not known. PCOS may be related to many different factors working together. 

• Insulin resistance
• Increased levels of hormones called androgens
• Irregular menstrual cycle.

Diagnosis

• Physical Examination
• Pelvic Exam
• Blood Tests
• Hormone Tests
• Ultrasound

Treatment

To manage PCOS, many women would require both medication and lifestyle adjustments. Additionally, your doctor will develop a treatment plan tailored to address your specific symptoms. PCOS is not a permanent condition. Through care and following a strict exercise and diet routine, you can achieve good health while reducing the effects of PCOS.

Horizon Group of Hospitals suggests few tips to follow:

• Increase your mobility and indulge in low to moderate level of exercising to prevent insulin resistance from further developing.
• Follow a high-fibre and low-carbohydrate diet that is easy for the body to digest and burn through metabolic activities.
• Reduce sugars significantly, instead switch to alternatives that do not have any effect on the body and can be easily broken down.
• Avoid processed and packaged food as they are high in preservatives and sodium that can irritate the body and its systems.

The Final Takeaway

The causes of PCOS are unclear, but early diagnosis can help relieve symptoms and reduce the risk of complications. PCOS needs a multidisciplinary effort. Lifestyle, fertility counselling, psychological support, nutritional counselling, metabolic intervention but finally overall the prognosis is good if lifestyle parameters are followed well and fertility potential and fertility prognosis is also very good. Anyone who may have symptoms of PCOS should consultant a gynaecologist. Feel free to reach out to our experienced team of gynaecologists at Horizon Group of Hospitals for comprehensive guidance and support regarding PCOS. Our team is here to provide expert advice and personalized care to address your specific needs and concerns related to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. We prioritize your well-being and are committed to assisting you on your journey towards better health.