Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), is a hormonal disorder which causes enlarged ovaries with small cysts on the outer edge. It is quite common among women of reproductive age and may cause irregular or prolonged periods and also make pregnancy harder.
PCOS is a condition that affects the female reproductive system, primarily ovaries. The ovaries are responsible for the production of estrogen and progesterone (female hormones) and a small number of androgens. Because of PCOS, the ovaries enlarge in size and also start developing multiple fluid-filled sacs inside the ovary. This interferes with the ovulation process, leading to irregularity in ovulation and disturbing the hormonal balance.
Though PCOS is quite a common syndrome, it is rarely diagnosed. Some of the symptoms of PCOS include:
Despite the low rates of diagnosis of the condition, PCOS can have serious effects on health like:
Eating a healthy diet and maintaining an active lifestyle can be very beneficial for the management of PCOS. Losing even five to ten per cent of the body weight can help in regulating the menstrual cycle and manage other PCOS symptoms. It also reduces the risk of various ailments associated with PCOS. Eating a low carbohydrate diet is highly recommended for women with PCOS. Similarly, it is also recommended to do exercises of moderate intensity at least three days in a week. Ask your doctor or gynaecologist for more recommendations about managing PCOS.
Besides diet and lifestyle changes, your doctor or gynaecologist may recommend you various medications to alleviate the symptoms of PCOS:
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The best and most effective ways to manage PCOS are to make lifestyle changes like improving diet, increasing physical activities and exercises, and managing weight. Improving insulin sensitivity through food, exercise, and the use of medications if necessary can also help.
Apart from making lifestyle and diet changes, the most common treatment for PCOS is hormone management. The use of hormone medications, hormonal birth control, and even hormone therapy in extreme cases can help in effectively managing PCOS.
Yes, with proper management, you can go on to live a normal life despite your PCOS. Close monitoring, a personalised management plan, and lifestyle changes can help reduce long-term impact and even increase the possibilities of natural conception.
No, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome cannot spread to other organs. It is a systematic endocrine disorder that increases the risk of developing issues in other organs of the body. The hormonal and metabolic irregularities caused by PCOS can lead to type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and even endometrial cancer in rare cases.
