Health is wealth. Health must be the top priority of one's life. Ok, ok, I am not here to just share quotes on health. Today, we will gather information on a rising women's health issue known as 'PCOS'. Women are blessed by nature's gift of giving birth. PCOS is a reproductive health disorder. An average of 4.47% of a global rise in PCOS cases was detected between 2007 to 2017. This article will highlight basic information like symptoms, treatment and recent studies on PCOS.
Let's dive deep into the following topics:
What is PCOS?
Symptoms of PCOS.
Diagnostic Procedures of PCOS.
Difference between PCOS and PCOD.
Is PCOS curable?
How to overcome PCOS (Treatment)?
Gynaecologist's guide on PCOS.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is also known as Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome. According to a recent study, PCOS is identified as a syndrome and not a disease. As the name says, PCOS causes the development of small fluid-filled cysts in the ovary. The syndrome is increasing at an alarming rate in modern society. Out of every 10 women, 1 suffers from PCOS in India. Multiple fluid-filled cysts in Ovary leads to irregular ovulation and hence an irregular menstrual cycle.
Now, you might wonder, what causes the cyst formation in the ovary? Irregular secretion of hormones like LH and FSH with elevated androgen levels lead to cyst formation in the ovary. The cyst can be found in one or both ovaries. Normal LH and FSH ratio ranges between 1 and 2.
Symptoms:
Women suffering from PCOS experience different symptoms. Not all symptoms are necessary for you to be PCOS positive. We divide symptoms into 2 major categories:
Physical Symptoms:
Irregular/Painful Periods:
Women with PCOS experience less than 8 to 9 menstruations in a year. Periods are more painful and last for more than 8 days. Bad menstrual cramps, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea accompanies menstruation.
Difficulty in Weight Gain/Loss:
PCOS serves as a hurdle in weight gain or loss. Some women might experience drastic weight gain. On the other hand, some might experience dramatic weight loss. With PCOS, it becomes difficult to maintain a healthy weight.
Insulin Resistance:
The insulin hormone is responsible for controlling blood sugar levels in the body. PCOS patients may experience high Insulin levels. As the cells are not able to absorb insulin, blood sugar levels also increase. High Insulin also leads to elevated testosterone levels.
Fatigue:
Constant tiredness and lack of energy are felt. Due to Insulin resistance, glucose present in the body is not effectively converted in the form of energy molecules (ATP).
Hair Fall:
Due to high levels of androgens, hair fall increases and the process of new hair growth also retards.
Acne:
Prolonged and repetitive acne formation on face skin. This occurs due to excessively oily skin.
Hirsutism:
Excess growth of unwanted hair is known as hirsutism. This also occurs due to high levels of male hormones commonly known as androgens.
Infertility:
Women with PCOS face difficulty in conceiving due to irregular menstrual cycles. The prediction of ovulation days becomes difficult. In addition, due to low levels of female hormones like progesterone, pregnancy becomes difficult.
Psychological Symptoms:
Mood Swings:
Due to dramatic hormonal imbalances, change in mood and irritability is experienced.
Anxiety/Stress:
Constant medication along with hormonal imbalance causes stress, anxiety and depression.
Insomnia:
The sleep cycle gets disturbed due to which difficulty in falling asleep is experienced. This also occurs due to hormonal imbalance.
Causes:
There are multiple factors responsible for causing PCOS. However, there is no identification of specific factors for rising cases of PCOS. Following are the circumstances predicted by the Researchers for the occurrence of PCOS.
Stressful Lifestyle:
Researchers have found in the study that the modern day's speedy lifestyle results in stress and loss of mental health. This directly affects the endocrine system of our body and causes hormonal imbalance.
Genetic Inheritance:
The Syndrome may be inherited by the person from her family tree. Chances of becoming PCOS positive increases if your mother, sister, or aunt suffers from PCOS.
It is also predicted that mutation in hormone-producing genes can also lead to an imbalance in hormones causing PCOS.
Environmental Pollution:
Excessive environmental pollution has led to the entering of toxic chemicals into our body. Plastic, harmful metals like asbestos, lead, mica etc. cause fatal effects on our body. This leads to hormonal imbalance and infertility.
Intoxicated Food:
Again, due to the high usage of chemical fertilizers and polluted soil, crops grown are not organic. Vegetables and fruits are intoxicated with chemicals that cause inflammation in our body.
Unhealthy diet:
Consumption of unhealthy Fatty Acids, excess carbohydrates, high sugary food and drinks lead to PCOS. In addition, smoking and high alcohol consumption worsen the Syndrome.
Diagnosis Procedures:
If one suffers from the above-mentioned symptoms, it is necessary to visit a gynaecologist. Here are some diagnostic procedures mainly performed to determine PCOS.
Blood Test:
Blood test reports analyze the level of hormones secreted in the body. If imbalanced hormonal conditions are seen, a person might have PCOS.
Ultrasound Sonography:
For exact diagnosis, gynaecologists perform ultrasound sonography of the abdominal region. Analysis of the reproductive system is done. If multiple cysts are seen in one or both ovaries, a person is likely to suffer from PCOS.
Difference between PCOS and PCOD:
According to a recent hypothesis, there is no difference between PCOS and PCOD. A few years ago, gynaecologists defined Polycystic Ovary as a disease. But according to recent research, Polycystic Ovary is not a disease but more of a Syndrome.
On the other hand, some researchers differentiate between PCOS and PCOD depending on the symptoms. PCOD mainly shows hirsutism, excess weight gain. Whereas, PCOS shows high acne-prone skin and excess weight loss.
Is PCOS curable?
PCOS is curable if one decides to develop a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes, patients simply experience a reduction in symptoms. Some may see a 100% cure.
Taking on a healthy diet and exercise is a boon for PCOS sufferers. This also helps in fighting infertility and leads to the safe development of the pregnancy period.
Treatments:
Treatment involves regular medication and healthy lifestyle maintenance.
Medication:
A gynaecologist may prescribe birth control pills to regulate the menstrual cycle. Insulin maintenance pills are also prescribed. However, these pills led to many side effects.
Nausea, headache, body ache, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhoea, indigestion, and breathlessness may occur as a side effect.
Healthy Diet:
It's the best way to combat PCOS. Intake of a balanced diet with more proteins and vitamins stabilizes the hormonal imbalance. High intake of seasonal fruits and vegetables, green veggies, lean meat, eggs are the best option. Sugar intake must be limited or ceased depending on the intensity of symptoms.
Regular Exercise and Yoga:
Exercise and Yoga is a must for PCOS sufferers. Yoga helps your endocrine system to stabilize and improve its function. On the other hand, proper exercise helps in weight gain or weight loss.
Gynaecologist's Guide:
Treatment of PCOS requires a Gynaecologist's guidance. According to renowned gynaecologists, PCOS is just a Syndrome that can be well handled by the adoption of a healthy lifestyle. One must stay positive and adapt to live her life with the best awareness.
In the old centuries, there were a limited number of cases detected. The reason was an active and stress-free life.
We end our blog post here with ample information about PCOS. The maintenance of health should be everyone's top priority. Consequently, awareness of different diseases is also a step towards precaution. One must seek medical advice for treatment. This article does not have any intention of raising opposition against medical care. Live healthily, Live happily!
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