Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

It is very important to monitor the women having PCOS since females with these conditions are likely to suffer from miscarriages. Infertility & Pregnancy complications such as premature delivery and gestational diabetes are some of these adverse effects that a person having PCOS suffers from.

Female Infertility issues are very common in women suffering from PCOS who also find difficulty in getting pregnant without the help of their doctor. About 8 to 10% of women who are in their reproductive age suffer from PCOS, with percentage being higher in Indian Population.

Causes Of PCOS

PCOS Causes – No one factor can be held responsible for the development of PCOS. However, mainly, the two major reasons for this are considered to be hormonal imbalance and resistance to insulin.

1. In addition to this, the chances of a woman having PCOS increases by 50% if a family member is also suffering from it.
2. In around 80% of women who are suffering from this, the reason is insulin resistance. In this condition, the body needs to use itself in order to produce some extra insulin so that the sugar can be broken down. As a result of this, testosterone can be produced in excess which will further interrupt the growth of the follicles. This can also lead to an irregularity in ovulation.
3. Another very common factor of PCOS is attributed to the kind of lifestyle that a person is leading. If a person is overweight and has a body mass index out of range, then it can lead to insulin resistance.
4. If the testosterone levels are high, the levels of luteinizing hormones are high or if high levels of prolactin get produced, then, this can lead to PCOS.

Symptoms of PCOS

PCOS Symptoms – It is very normal for a person to not notice the initial signs of PCOS symptoms as they usually go unnoticed. These symptoms start from a very early age near the teens and remain hidden unless the women gain weight. However, there sure are some warning signs which should definitely not be ignored. These include-

• Problems including infrequent periods, no periods or abnormal bleeding during periods

• Loss of scalp hair but the normal growth of hair on other body parts

• Repeated miscarriages

• Increased depression

• Insulin resistance

• Dark skin patches

• Increased mood swings and problem in conceiving

• Health problems such as hypertension, diabetes, and increased cholesterol

Treatment for PCOS

PCOS Treatment – Though there is no cure for getting completely rid of PCOS, one can definitely control its intensity by following the below-mentioned methods:

1. Lose the excess weight

   For women who are overweight, the best treatment is where they lose out on the excess fat because even 5% of weight loss can bring regularity during periods and also stimulate ovulation.

2. Exercising and maintaining a healthy diet

   It is very important to eat fresh and healthy food and avoid eating junk food at all times. A healthy diet consists of veggies, fruits, and dairy products. If you also exercise on a regular basis, then both these combined together can definitely go a long way in balancing the hormones.

3. Say no to smoking

   Male sex hormones known as androgens are at high levels in the women who smoke regularly. Interestingly, these are the hormones leading to PCOS which is why it is advisable to quit smoking in order to get rid of it.

4. Hormonal Medication

   Medicines are the first thing prescribed by doctors to reduce the intensity. Some doctors will advise you to take Hormonal pills in order to have regular periods. The hair growth on the body or loss of hair from the scalp can be treated by taking medicines which can have a counter-effect on the male hormones.

5. Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (LOD)

   Since women suffering from PCOS become infertile, the ones who are trying to get pregnant can go through a minor laparoscopic surgery known as LOD. In this surgery, the ovaries are exposed to laser or heat in order to remove the tissue which is producing androgens i.e. the male hormones in the body in the first place. This aids in balancing the hormonal levels which will further lead to the ovaries functioning properly and leading to a normal pregnancy.

If the right treatment is provided on time, then even a woman having PCOS can conceive, Also be treated with IVF if their body fails to respond to medicines.

PCOS is long-standing.

Couple has been trying for a long time to conceive.