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

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects the reproductive health of women. This condition is characterised by symptoms like irregular menstrual cycles, excessive androgen levels, and multiple cysts in the ovaries. PCOS mostly comes from a complex interplay of hormones that leads to various health concerns like infertility, metabolic disorder and type 2 diabetes. So, understanding PCOS and its hormonal complexities is crucial for effective management and improving overall well-being.

Causes and Risk Factors 

It is still unclear the actual reason behind PCOS but genetic disposition is one of the biggest reasons behind it. So, women with mothers and sisters suffering from this condition are more susceptible to this condition. Apart from this, weight gain is another major reason behind PCOS. So, women who are overweight or gaining weight significantly expose themselves to this condition. Also, lifestyle factors like poor diet, lack of physical activities, and chronic stress contribute to this situation.

Some of the risk factors of this condition are –

• High Androgen level: When a woman has PCOS, her periods don’t occur normally every month. As a result of this, the ovaries start growing numerous sacs over it, resulting in them releasing androgen or male hormones in a huge quantity.

• Insulin resistance: An incremental level of insulin affects the ovulation process of the ovaries, causing the body to gain weight early and making it difficult to lose weight.

• Hair growth: Excessive growth of hair in areas that we don’t want to, for example, in the belly, chest, face, arms, arms, toes, and fingers.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Some common symptoms of PCOS include –

• Irregular periods

• Too much androgen results in excessive body and facial hair

• Polycystic ovaries that contain immature eggs

To diagnose the disease, the doctor will – 

• Ask about the symptoms and the medical history

• Ask the medical history of the parents

• Check the blood pressure and weight

• Conduct a physical exam to check for excessive facial hair, acne, hair loss, skin tags an discoloured skin

• Conduct a pelvic exam to look for the causes of abnormal bleeding

• Blood tests for checking glucose and hormone levels

• Perform pelvic ultrasound to check the thickness of uterine lining and causes of abnormal bleeding. 

Health implications of PCOS

In terms of the reproductive health of women, PCOS affects pregnancy and the chances of success. A lot of hormonal changes take place, which interfere with the monthly ovulation, resulting in healthy eggs not being available for fertilisation. This causes trouble in getting pregnant.

Apart from that, PCOS has the potential to develop various health complications, including –

• Metabolic Disorders: PCOS increases the risk of insulin resistance, leading to type 2 diabetes.

• Cardiovascular Issues: PCOS leads to an increased chance of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease.

• Psychological Concerns: Due to PCOS, women are more susceptible to anxiety, depression, and mood disorders.

• Endometrial Cancer: Prolonged irregular menstrual cycles can lead to endometrial hyperplasia, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer.

• Sleep Disorders: Many individuals with PCOS experience sleep apnea and poor sleep quality.

Treatment Options

Doctors primarily try to cure PCOS with lifestyle and dietary changes. This includes steps like –

• Reducing weight 

• Healthy eating 

• Performing exercises every day

• Controlling blood pressure and blood sugar

• Getting adequate sleep

• Reducing stress levels 

• Putting a limit on caffeine 

Besides this, doctors also prescribe some medications and therapies to support these changes and get better results. These are –

• Hormonal birth control pills

• Insulin sensitising medication

• Androgen blockers

• Progestin Therapy

Diet and Nutrition 

Diet plays a vital part in the management of PCOS. A well-balanced diet easily manages insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances. Proper nutrition regularises menstrual cycle, improves fertility and lowers the risk of long-term complications like diabetes and heart disease.

So, people can include the following food items for better health –

• Foods with high-fibre content like leafy greens, legumes and whole grains

• Foods with healthy fats like avocado, nuts, seeds, and olive oil

• Low-Glycemic Index (GI) Foods like whole grains, quinoa, sweet potatoes, and non-starchy vegetables

• Anti-inflammatory foods like berries, turmeric, green tea, and omega-3-rich fish

• Lean Proteins like chicken, fish, tofu, and eggs

However, Avoiding processed foods, sugary beverages, and unhealthy fats can cause the worsening of PCOS and help individuals get better.

Mental health and PCOS 

PCOS takes a significant toll on the mental health of the patient. Depression and anxiety are the two major issues that trouble the patients. It is suspected that since the hormonal balance of the patient gets disturbed during this condition, the first thing which gets affected is the psyche of the patient. 

There are a few strategies by which they can manage their mental health –

• Regular exercise improves mental health 

• Anti-depressants, anti-anxiety medication and Metformin help in enhancing the mental health

• Acupuncture 

• Mindfulness

• Cognitive Behavioural therapy 

• Yoga

• Indulging in hobbies

Myths and Misconceptions

Here is a table outlining the misconceptions and facts about PCOS –

Support and Resources 

Support and motivation are important to deal with PCOS in day-to-day life. Patients can thus join support groups, online and offline, to mingle with people with similar conditions and share their stories. It will help them find strength and confidence to live with this condition.

Patients can also consult books, articles, blogs, and websites to learn more about PCOS. This knowledge will help them make the necessary changes to improve their condition.

Conclusion 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal disorder that affects women's reproductive and overall health. While its exact causes remain unclear, genetic and lifestyle factors play a significant role in its development. So, PCOS needs a holistic approach that includes lifestyle changes, medical interventions, and emotional support to manage it and get better. But that’s not all; raising awareness and debunking the myths further helps in defeating this health condition.

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