The only thing more shocking than the prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) amongst women of childbearing age may be the lack of awareness surrounding it. There could be a number of reasons why so few people have heard of PCOS, despite the fact that as many as 1 in 10 women are living with it.
Many women don’t realize that their PCOS symptoms are related to this condition. Breakouts can be brushed off as adult acne or genetically oil skin, and irregular periods can easily be mistaken as “no big deal” or a side effect of stress. Infertility is another easily missed sign, and many women only learn they have PCOS when they begin having difficulty getting pregnant.
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels. The ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs.
Signs and symptoms of PCOS often develop around the time of the first menstrual period during puberty. Sometimes PCOS develops later, for example, in response to substantial weight gain. Signs and symptoms of PCOS vary.
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A diagnosis of PCOS is made when you experience at least two of these signs:
PCOS signs and symptoms are typically more severe if you're obese.
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The exact cause of PCOS isn't known. Factors that might play a role include:
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Long term complications associated with PCOS include Type II diabetes, increased cholesterol, obesity, metabolic syndrome, anxiety, depression, obstructive sleep apnea, increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and stroke. Some women get predisposed to certain cancers like endometrial cancers.
PCOS is diagnosed based on your symptoms and examination; further aided by imaging modalities and certain blood tests including hormones.
PCOS treatment focuses on managing your individual concerns, such as infertility, hirsutism, acne or obesity. Specific treatment might involve lifestyle changes or medication.
An active lifestyle and diet further help in managing the condition.
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Even a modest reduction in your weight — for example, losing 5 percent of your body weight — might improve your condition. Losing weight may also increase the effectiveness of medications your doctor recommends for PCOS and can help with infertility.
See your doctor if you have concerns about your menstrual periods, if you're experiencing infertility or if you have signs of excess androgen such as worsening hirsutism, acne, and male-pattern baldness.
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Manage PCOS through weight loss, a healthy diet, regular exercise, oral contraceptive pills, progestin and metformin for menstrual irregularities. Consult your doctor to understand your condition and take the medicines prescribed.
There's no definite cure or fast treatment. Management involves lifestyle changes (diet, exercise), medications (oral contraceptives, progestin, metformin for periods; fertility medicines if needed), and if fertility medicines don't work, Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (LOD) surgery using heat/laser to destroy androgen-producing tissue. Weight loss of 5% improves the condition.
There is no permanent cure or recovery from PCOS, but symptoms can be managed. Treatment focuses on managing individual concerns like infertility, hirsutism, acne, obesity through lifestyle changes and medication. With proper treatment, most women with PCOS can conceive. It is a condition requiring ongoing management throughout life.
PCOS affects women of reproductive age, causes irregular ovulation, making pregnancy take longer, but with proper treatment, most women with PCOS can conceive. Many women only learn they have PCOS when experiencing difficulty getting pregnant.
