By Nalini Ravichandran It is more common than you think: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects 5-10 per cent of women. And the incidence is only on the rise. PCOS is a condition that can mess with your menstrual cycle and conception, besides putting you at risk vis-a-vis a range of disorders like stroke, diabetes and heart attack. " This is an endocrine disorder that is faced by women in their reproductive age.
It occurs as a result of imbalance in the sex hormones, leading to ovarian cysts," says Dr Anupam Tripathi, New Delhi- based internal medicine specialist.
Both males and females produce hormones called androgens, referred to as male hormones, which play an important role in sexual functioning of the body. " In women with PCOS, the ovaries produce higher levels of androgens than normal, and this interferes with egg development and release. Some of the eggs develop into cysts which are little sacs filled with liquid and instead of being released during ovulation, these cysts build up in the ovaries and even get enlarged, hence the name polycystic ovaries or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome," says Dr Aanchal Agarwal, IVF expert and gynaecologist, BL Kapur Hospital, and Fellow of the National Board in Reproductive Medicine.
Many women go on for years without noticing the symptoms. " They carry on with their acne or excess weight. The problem gets noticed only when they are unable to conceive," says Dr Tripathi. Watch out for the typical PCOS symptoms like infrequent, absent or irregular menstrual cycles, hirsutism ( increased hair growth) on face, stomach, chest, back or thumb, cysts on ovaries, pelvic pain, anxiety, depression and sleep apnoea ( when breathing stops for a short period of time while asleep). Infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating, weight gain especially around the waist are also part of PCOS.
Rising incidence
Apart from health conditions like diabetes and coronary artery diseases, a sedentary lifestyle is also to blame for PCOS. " It is not just women in their 20s but also an increasing number of teenagers who are suffering from the endocrine disorder. The number of PCOS patients has doubled in the last few years. Binging on unhealthy foods and lack of exercise are some of the primary causes," informs Dr Tripathi.
There could be many factors that are linked to this disorder. " About 30 per cent of women with PCOS have problems on how their body processes blood sugar levels, which in turn is a major risk factor for diabetes. Those with history of diabetes and thyroid problems should also watch out for PCOS." he says.
It occurs as a result of imbalance in the sex hormones, leading to ovarian cysts," says Dr Anupam Tripathi, New Delhi- based internal medicine specialist.
Both males and females produce hormones called androgens, referred to as male hormones, which play an important role in sexual functioning of the body. " In women with PCOS, the ovaries produce higher levels of androgens than normal, and this interferes with egg development and release. Some of the eggs develop into cysts which are little sacs filled with liquid and instead of being released during ovulation, these cysts build up in the ovaries and even get enlarged, hence the name polycystic ovaries or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome," says Dr Aanchal Agarwal, IVF expert and gynaecologist, BL Kapur Hospital, and Fellow of the National Board in Reproductive Medicine.
Many women go on for years without noticing the symptoms. " They carry on with their acne or excess weight. The problem gets noticed only when they are unable to conceive," says Dr Tripathi. Watch out for the typical PCOS symptoms like infrequent, absent or irregular menstrual cycles, hirsutism ( increased hair growth) on face, stomach, chest, back or thumb, cysts on ovaries, pelvic pain, anxiety, depression and sleep apnoea ( when breathing stops for a short period of time while asleep). Infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating, weight gain especially around the waist are also part of PCOS.
Rising incidence
Apart from health conditions like diabetes and coronary artery diseases, a sedentary lifestyle is also to blame for PCOS. " It is not just women in their 20s but also an increasing number of teenagers who are suffering from the endocrine disorder. The number of PCOS patients has doubled in the last few years. Binging on unhealthy foods and lack of exercise are some of the primary causes," informs Dr Tripathi.
There could be many factors that are linked to this disorder. " About 30 per cent of women with PCOS have problems on how their body processes blood sugar levels, which in turn is a major risk factor for diabetes. Those with history of diabetes and thyroid problems should also watch out for PCOS." he says.
Get help early on
The good news is that early diagnosis and proper education can help women lower all these risk factors for a healthier life. If PCOS is not diagnosed early and treated properly, it can lead to several other problems like high cholesterol and blood pressure, abnormal bleeding from the uterus, and even cancer in some cases. PCOS can be diagnosed through blood tests and ultrasound.
PCOS is a disorder characterised by multiple cysts or small sacs filled with fluid in the ovary. " Patients with PCOS have abnormal levels of hormones. It is the most frequent cause of anovulatory infertility and can bring terrible physical changes in the appearance of a woman, if not treated at an initial stage. In the advanced stage, it can lead to serious ailments, such as diabetes and heart diseases," says Dr Hrishikesh Pai, gynaecologist & infertility expert, Fortis LaFemme Hospital.
Way forward
Whether by watching your weight or by going for birth control pills, your doctors can help you deal with PCOS. Birth control pills, besides helping women who don't want to become pregnant, also assist in regulating menstrual cycles and reducing the male hormone levels. When it comes to treatment, anti- diabetic drug used to treat type- 2 diabetes are also prescribed for controlling PCOS symptoms. It affects the way insulin regulates glucose and decreases the testosterone production.
Not the first course of treatment, surgery or ovarian drilling is also one of the options too.
While seeking medical assistance is important, tweaking your lifestyle can help you manage it better.
" It's not all about weight loss alone. One has to aim for good, regular sleep, quit smoking, opt for healthy nutrition and up water intake. By doing all this, one can manage PCOS with ease," advises Dr Tripathi. Proper aid not just helps deal with the medical effects of PCOS but also the emotional ones. " PCOS can also lead to depression, not just because of the symptoms but because of hormonal imbalances too. So seeking help of support groups can help much," he adds.
Resource: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hormones-go-awry-hormonal-disorder-pcos-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome/1/372473.html
The good news is that early diagnosis and proper education can help women lower all these risk factors for a healthier life. If PCOS is not diagnosed early and treated properly, it can lead to several other problems like high cholesterol and blood pressure, abnormal bleeding from the uterus, and even cancer in some cases. PCOS can be diagnosed through blood tests and ultrasound.
PCOS is a disorder characterised by multiple cysts or small sacs filled with fluid in the ovary. " Patients with PCOS have abnormal levels of hormones. It is the most frequent cause of anovulatory infertility and can bring terrible physical changes in the appearance of a woman, if not treated at an initial stage. In the advanced stage, it can lead to serious ailments, such as diabetes and heart diseases," says Dr Hrishikesh Pai, gynaecologist & infertility expert, Fortis LaFemme Hospital.
Way forward
Whether by watching your weight or by going for birth control pills, your doctors can help you deal with PCOS. Birth control pills, besides helping women who don't want to become pregnant, also assist in regulating menstrual cycles and reducing the male hormone levels. When it comes to treatment, anti- diabetic drug used to treat type- 2 diabetes are also prescribed for controlling PCOS symptoms. It affects the way insulin regulates glucose and decreases the testosterone production.
Not the first course of treatment, surgery or ovarian drilling is also one of the options too.
While seeking medical assistance is important, tweaking your lifestyle can help you manage it better.
" It's not all about weight loss alone. One has to aim for good, regular sleep, quit smoking, opt for healthy nutrition and up water intake. By doing all this, one can manage PCOS with ease," advises Dr Tripathi. Proper aid not just helps deal with the medical effects of PCOS but also the emotional ones. " PCOS can also lead to depression, not just because of the symptoms but because of hormonal imbalances too. So seeking help of support groups can help much," he adds.
Resource: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/hormones-go-awry-hormonal-disorder-pcos-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome/1/372473.html