Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Overview

PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a complex reproductive hormonal disorder that is characterized by an imbalance of reproductive hormones. Irregular menstrual cycles, polycystic ovaries, acne, male-pattern excessive facial and body hair growth, and thinning of hair are common symptoms of PCOS that can result from this hormonal imbalance.

Its complexity arises from hormonal imbalances and their metabolic implications, which can have long-lasting effects on overall health. The metabolic component of PCOS further complicates the condition, leading to insulin resistance, weight gain, an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

Managing PCOS can be challenging and cannot be cured easily. Management typically involves a combination of lifestyle changes and regular medical intervention to alleviate symptoms of PCOS problems in females. It can result in long-term health complications that impact your overall health if left untreated.

Causes of PCOS

A woman's reproductive system functions normally when she ovulates properly once a month. Ovulation is a crucial part of the menstrual cycle where a mature egg is released from an ovary, typically once a month. This process is essential for reproduction. If the egg is not fertilized by sperm, it is shed during menstruation. In women with PCOS, hormonal imbalances disrupt normal ovulation.

1. Hormonal Imbalance: Women with PCOS often have elevated levels of androgens (male hormones) and may also experience insulin resistance. These imbalances can interfere with the development and release of eggs from the ovaries.
2. Anovulation: When ovulation doesn’t occur regularly or at all, it’s called anovulation. Without regular ovulation, the ovaries may develop multiple small, fluid-filled sacs known as cysts. These cysts are not true cysts but rather immature eggs that did not develop properly.
3. Family History: Family history of hormone imbalances strongly connected to PCOS. 
4. Genetics: Women with PCOS have a female relative with PCOS in their family.
5. Environmental Factors: Stress, anxiety, and pollution are all known causes of PCOS.
6. Increased Androgens: The excess androgens produced by these cysts further disrupt the menstrual cycle and contribute to symptoms such as:

• Hirsutism: Excessive hair growth on the face, chest, and back.
• Acne: Severe acne due to increased oil production.
• Alopecia: Thinning hair or hair loss on the scalp.

Symptoms of PCOS

Women with PCOS may experience a wide range of signs and symptoms of PCOS, from mild to severe but these symptoms are not common in all women dealing with PCOS.

The indication of PCOS is an imbalance in reproductive hormones. Women with PCOS typically have elevated levels of androgens (male hormones), which can lead to a variety of physical symptoms:

• Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Women with PCOS often experience irregular periods, which can be like infrequent, prolonged, or even missed menstrual cycles. This condition is known as Amenorrhea, and the cause of this irregularity is disrupted ovulation, where the ovaries fail to release eggs regularly.
• Hirsutism: The excess androgen (male hormone) levels can cause increased hair growth in areas where men typically grow hair, such as the face, chest, and back.
• Acne and Oily Skin: Elevated androgen levels stimulate sebaceous (oil) glands in the skin, leading to acne and oily skin.
• Dark patches on the skin: Elevated androgen levels often cause dark patches on the skin.
• Alopecia: Some women with PCOS may experience thinning hair or male-pattern baldness due to the hormonal imbalance.

2. Metabolic Aspects

The metabolic aspect of the PCOS further complicates the condition, leading to long-lasting effects on overall health.

• Insulin Resistance: Many women with PCOS have insulin resistance, where their bodies do not respond effectively to insulin. This condition can lead to higher insulin levels, which in turn stimulate the ovaries to produce more androgens, resulting in worsening hormone imbalances.
• Weight Gain and Obesity: Insulin resistance is closely linked to weight gain, especially around the abdomen and difficulty losing weight. Excess weight can further worsen insulin resistance.
• Type 2 Diabetes: Due to insulin resistance, women with PCOS are at a higher risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
• Cardiovascular Health: Elevated insulin and androgen levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, high cholesterol, and heart disease.

3. Long-term Health Effects

PCOS has long-lasting effects on a woman's health if left untreated. 

• Infertility: Irregular ovulation can make it difficult for women with PCOS to conceive. However, with proper medical intervention, many women with PCOS can achieve pregnancy.
• Endometrial Cancer: Irregular or absent periods can lead to the thickening of the uterine lining, increasing the risk of endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.
• Mental Health: Mental health conditions like anxiety, depression, mood swings, and low self-esteem are more common in women with PCOS.

Diagnosis of PCOS

A doctor's medical intervention is necessary to reduce or prevent the signs and symptoms of PCOS from causing health issues. Polycystic ovarian morphology can easily be seen on ultrasound by a doctor and can easily diagnose PCOS.

1. Medical History: A doctor will review family history and ask about symptoms and lifestyle factors.
2. Physical Examination: Physical examination can easily be done for signs of male pattern excess hair growth, acne, skin darkening patches on the face and for a weight check, which typically includes BMI measurement. 
3. Blood Tests: Prolactin, luteinizing hormone (LH), insulin, thyroid function, and androgen are among the hormones that can be measured with blood tests. An Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) test might have been suggested by a doctor.
4. Pelvic Ultrasound: Polycystic ovaries are examined easily on an ultrasound to check for cysts (underdeveloped eggs) or polycystic uterus. However, not all women with PCOS will have visible cysts. A pelvic region examination is also performed to check for any abnormalities in the reproductive organs.
5. Glucose Tolerance Test: Particularly for PCOS, to assess insulin resistance.

Reproductive Health with PCOS

Conception is a challenging concern for women with PCOS. Irregular or lack of ovulation can result in decreased fertility or no fertility. To improve fertility or reproductive health in women with PCOS, fertility specialists must intervene medically; therefore, pregnancy is possible with medical help.

PCOS Treatment and Management

PCOS treatment usually entails changing one's lifestyle to include regular exercise, a healthy diet, and stress management, all of which can help women with PCOS feel better. Additionally, medical interventions by gynaecologists are recommended to help regulate hormones and improve fertility in women with PCOS 

Lifestyle Modifications for PCOS

1. Diet:

• Prioritize a low-glycemic, high-fiber diet that includes fruits, vegetables, pulses, and whole grains.
• Focus on lean proteins like tofu, legumes, and chicken. 
• Consume foods high in omega-3, such as salmon, chia seeds, and flax seeds, to help reduce inflammation.
• Consume foods high in magnesium, such as sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds.
• Avoid processed foods like snacks, beverages, and sugar to manage weight and insulin levels.

• Follow dietician recommendations at Sarvodaya Hospital, the top hospital in Delhi NCR and avail services for PCOS diet plan for controlling excess weight.
  

2. Exercise:

3. Stress Management: 

Prevention of PCOS

1. Maintain a Healthy Weight: Even a 5%-10% weight loss can improve symptoms and restore hormonal balance.
2. Regular Health Check-Ups: Early detection through routine blood tests and ultrasounds can mitigate the risk of complications.
3. Balanced Diet: Prioritize whole foods, fruits, vegetables, and lean protein sources to maintain hormonal health.
4. Limit Environmental Toxins: Avoid exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (found in plastics and cosmetics).

Solution for PCOS 

Losing weight, eating a balanced diet, staying away from processed and junk food, and exercising regularly are all effective ways to manage PCOS. Early disease detection will aid in the treatment of the PCOD condition. Consult the best gynaecologist in Faridabad and get checked out if you experience irregular or skipped periods, acne, or growth of facial or back hair. The first line of treatment for PCOS involves changing one's weight and lifestyle, which includes diet, exercise, and behavioural management. Mental health and sleep interventions are also important factors for the best possible management of PCOS. Managing insulin resistance is a key factor in the solution of PCOS problems.

Our team of skilled gynaecologists at the Centre for Obstetrics and Gynecology provides the best PCOS treatment in Faridabad. We offer a variety of services such as diagnosis, and medical treatments to treat and manage PCOS. With state-of-the-art technologies, our comprehensive approach ensures that each patient receives the best possible treatment, combining modern medical practices with holistic therapies like Ayurvedic Panchakarma Therapies to treat PCOS and its symptoms.