Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
PCOS has emerged as a pandemic in women’s health in recent years, with one in four women being affected by PCOS all over the world.PCOS, or polycystic ovarian disease, is a disorder in which there is an imbalance of several vital hormones in the body, particularly those involving the ovaries and the sugar control system. Irregular periods, weight gain, and insulin resistance are a part of this spectrum of PCOS. Get in touch with the best gynecologists at Medintu to deal successfully with this condition.
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What is a PCOS?
PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a hormonal disorder in which there are multiple small cysts in the ovary producing a large amount of female hormones like estrogen. This high amount of estrogen causes other metabolic dysfunction and related to PCOS. Estrogen causes fat storage. The increased fat in the body causes an increase in the body’s insulin levels, which leads to insulin resistance. This insulsymptoms in resistance leads to a rise in testosterone levels, which causes symptoms of masculinization such as hirsutism and androgenic alopecia. PCOS is a lifelong condition and requires the intervention of a gynecologist and a nutritionist to help manage it.
What are the symptoms of PCOS?
PCOS includes a wide range of symptoms that vary in combination in intensity from one person to another. Some of them are as follows:
- Hirsutism
- Weight gain leading to obesity and overweight states in women
- Irregular periods
- Heavy bleeding during periods
- Less bleeding during periods
- Insulin resistance leading to blackening of the skin on the neck
- Infertility
- hair loss and hair fall
- acne
Any of these symptoms warrant an evaluation of your reproductive health; therefore, consult a gynecologist.
Who is at risk of developing PCOS?
The following categories of women are at an increased risk of developing PCOS:
- Women who have a family history of PCOSin their mother or sister.
- Women with type 2 diabetes
- Insulin resistance
- women suffering from Obesity
Top Clinics For PCOS?
How is PCOS diagnosed?
PCOS diagnosis starts at the clinic, where the doctor asks you about all the relevant clinical history related to the symptoms and performs an abdominal and pelvic examination. Following the appointment, the doctor might ask you to come again with the following test reports for PCOS:
- Serum leutenising hormone or LH
- Serum follicular stimulating hormone or FSH
- Serum prolactin
- HbA1Cand glucose tolerance test
- Ultrasound of the abdomenand pelvis to see the cysts in the ovary
- Serum testosteronelevels
- Serum ferritinand Vitamin Dfor check-up.
Derangements in the test values, such as an increase in prolactin, FSH and LH, HbA1C, and testosterone, can help confirm the diagnosis alongside the ultrasound report showing cysts in the ovary.
How is PCOS treated?
Earlier, OCPs or oral contraceptive pills were commonly used to treat PCOS as they helped regularise the cycle. With an increasing understanding of PCOS, new treatment modalities are coming into the picture
- Losing 5-10% of weightcan reduce insulin resistance and improve the regularity of cycles we
- Primrose supplementsalso help to increase regularity in periods
- Strength traininghelps reduce weight and increase insulin sensitivity of the body
- Oral contraceptive pillshelp to maintain a regular cycle and prevent excessive thickening of the endometrial lining
- Letrozolecan be used to increase fertility in PCOS-affected women.
- IVF or in vitro fertilization and clomiphene citrateare also other treatment options that can be used to improve ovulation and increase fertility during fertility treatment
- A diet low in salt, high in protein, and good fats is also helpful in managing weight in PCOS.
What are the complications of PCOS?
There are several complications of PCOS as it is a metabolic disease. Some of them are as follows:
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- Sleep apnea
- Type 2 diabetes
- Infertility
- Miscarriage in pregnancy
- High blood pressure
- Mental health disorderssuch as eating disorders, anxiety, and depression
- It can also increase the chances of cancerssuch as endometrial and breast cancer.
Why Choose Medintu?
Medintu is one of the front runners for providing medical care at home. Medintu has a range of medical services such as medical equipment rental, online doctor appointments, home sample collection, wheelchairs on rent, teleconsultation appointments, and elderly care. We are trusted by residents across metropolitan cities like Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Delhi to deliver the best-in-class home health services.
Discover our network of esteemed gynecologists to help you tackle and manage PCOS symptoms. Our gynecologists treat PCOS with a holistic approach, including lifestyle changes, dietary changes, and appropriate medications. Our gynecologists have expertise in treating infertility related to PCOS. Get in touch with Medintu to get treatment for PCOS by the best gynecologists in India.
FAQs
Can PCOS be reversed?
PCOS can be reversed to a certain extent with the help of lifestyle changes and dietary measures. Natural supplements such as spearmint tea, green tea, cinnamon water, and aloe vera for sugar balance and decreasing stress, which in turn decreases hormonal imbalance.
Can I get pregnant with PCOS?
Yes. Losing weight improves insulin sensitivity and restores hormonal balance, giving women the chance to get pregnant naturally by regularising their period.
What is the difference between PCOD and PCOS?
PCOD is a polycystic ovarian disease, and polycystic ovarian syndrome differs only in terms of its reversibility and number of cysts. PCOD is reversible with fewer cysts where, whereas PCOS is a long-term disorder with multiple cysts that can only be managed and regulated but not reversed completely.
How can I lower testosterone in PCOS?
Lowering testosterone in PCOS can help improve symptoms like hirsutism, excess fat on the arms, and hair loss.
Some of the ways to lower testosterone are as follows:
- Whole foods
- Spearmint tea
- Fish oil and Omega 3
- Vitamin D
- Yoga and low-intensity workout
- Balanced meals
- Green tea
How is metformin useful in PCOS?
Metformin is traditionally an antidiabetic drug that can be used in PCOS to increase insulin sensitivity, cause weightloss, and regulate blood sugar levels. Metformin can also help to decrease androgen levels and improve ovulation.