What Is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal problems affecting the females belonging to the age group of 12-45 years. About 1 in 5 women suffer from PCOS. Females develop fluid-filled cavities in one or both the ovaries known as cysts and multiple cysts lead to hormonal disturbances, problems with ovulation and may further lead to complications.
Who Is At A Risk Of Getting PCOS?
-Women with family history
-Low birth weight babies
-Obese and overweight women
-Certain medications
Common symptoms of PCOS include irregular or delayed periods, difficulty to conceive babies (infertility), acne, excessive growth of hairs over face and other parts of the body. Women with PCOS may become obese and can develop diabetes mellitus because of the low response of insulin hormone that controls sugar levels.
Can PCOS Affect Your Pregnancy?
-Not all women with PCOS have difficulty in conceiving, however, in many cases, PCOS causes problems in ovulation (releasing eggs from ovaries). This further decreases chances of a healthy pregnancy.
-Regulated alteration in the level of hormones causes ovulation and also play a critical role in pregnancy. On the contrast, increased levels of male sex hormones and lowered insulin responsiveness are responsible for female infertility and therefore poses difficulty in conceiving.
-Early diagnosis and effective management of PCOS helps to decrease the chances of complications during pregnancy.
What Are The Available Treatment Options for PCOS?
-Common lifestyle modifications include dietary changes for weight reduction, regular moderate exercise and regulated sleep pattern.
–Alternative therapies such as yoga, meditation and acupuncture have also been found to benefit people significantly.
-Your doctor, upon investigation, may prescribe you a few medicines to treat the symptoms. Oral contraceptive pills are effective in treating abnormal growth and may also help to regularise the menstrual cycle.
-In vitro fertilization (IVF) commonly called as test tube babies, may be the last resort if medications to improve ovulation do not work. In rare cases, surgery can be performed to drill the multiple cysts.