PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)

Hello, 

I am Dr. Bandita Sinha. I am an obstetrician and infertility specialist. I have been practicing from last 20 years.  Today I would like to discuss about PCOS/PCOD. It is very common. 1 in every 5 females having PCOS. In India around 1 million cases are diagnosed per year. It is becoming an epidemic in our country. We should know what is it. It is caused due to hormonal imbalances.

Certain things which happen and we need to know the symptoms of PCOS. It is a metabolic disorder wherein irregularity in the menses, scanty menses, irregular or prolonged menses or the menses can stop altogether. Apart from it there is obesity or weight gain or difficulty in losing weight, facial hair, thinning of hair, mood swings and irritability as well.

How does it happen? It is a lifestyle disorder. There can also be the possibility of genetically implication. In lifestyle, intake of junk food has increased the development of PCOS. Lack of physical activities, sleep. Stress is very important factor. This usually happens when we are taking stress or irregularity of food or junk food to much, then there is liberation of the male hormones or androgen in our body. Male and female hormones give rise to small cyst in the ovaries.

How is this disease diagnosed? Normally patient comes with irregular or scanty periods, facial hair, weight gain and acne. This condition can be diagnosed with certain blood test which detects the hormonal level. Apart from that we also do a sugar test to rule out the insulin level. And sonography is done to check the cyst.

How do we treat this condition? Patient thinks that it can never be cured. Yes, there is no cure but as like the diabetes, things should be in under control. Lifestyle changes are required. We need to change our dietary pattern. Patient should go for a low carbohydrate diet. Absolute no for the junk food. We should go for a weight loss session. 45 minutes exercises are important. Along with that stress management is also recommended. A good night sleep for at least 7-8 hours. Relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation. PCOS is a condition where there is the male and female hormone imbalance. With all these and the medication, things will become normal for you. The fertility also improves. They are able to conceive as well. In very rare cases where the medicines are not working and patient require for fertility than we opt for a surgery which is laparoscopic ovarian drilling which helps ovaries to ovulate.

In a nutshell I would recommend that the healthy lifestyle, exercise, along with the stress management will help to control this disorder. And let's live a healthy life following a healthy lifestyle. If you want to know more about PCOS or related condition and the condition which are affecting the fertility of a female you can contact me through Lybrate.

Thank You.