Dr. Aruna Ashok MBBS, MS OG, DNB OG
- Clinical Director
Aruna Ashok | 02 Mar 2023
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal medical condition found in women. Initially, the condition was considered a gynaecological disorder. However recent studies recognized that the disorder is related to hormones and metabolism. In general, women of their reproductive age are affected by the PCOS medical condition. The condition is most often associated with developing the risk of excess androgens, insulin resistance, and irregular periods.
For a better understanding of the PCOS condition, ovaries contain the follicles with egg cells. These eggs are released during the ovulation. The PCOS condition prevents these eggs from maturing and releasing (ovulating). These immature eggs accumulate and form into cysts as they fail to get released from the ovaries. A woman with the condition may have numerous small cysts in her ovaries (one or both) filled with fluids.
In this blog, let’s explore the pcos symptoms and treatment options, and potential long-term health risks that are associated with PCOS.
Studies have identified that at least one in ten women have PCOS. Because of this, the disorder is considered as a common medical condition. Many women may not be aware of the disorder until they experience severe complications or symptoms such as infertility.
The most challenging aspect of the condition is the delayed diagnosis. Recognizing the signs and symptoms your body shows can make a huge difference. This may potentially prevent you from severe complications by allowing for timely medical interventions. Some of the symptoms that the condition may exhibit include:
Even though the accurate causes of the condition are still unknown by experts, many believe that various factors contribute to the development of the condition. They are:
In general, insulin is the hormone secreted by the pancreas. This hormone helps to regulate and pass the glucose from the bloodstream to the cells for energy. When the process fails, this makes the glucose accumulates in the bloodstream instead of using it for energy. The disorder is known as insulin resistance.
Insulin resistance is the physiological imbalance that is associated with causing potential conditions like diabetes, gestational diabetes, and high blood pressure. The reason for insulin resistance may include genetics, lifestyle changes, being obese and so on.
Inflammation plays a significant role in your body’s immune system. It helps to act as a defence mechanism, heals injuries, and repairs tissues. However, when the inflammation turns into a persistent and chronic condition, it can significantly contribute to the development of various chronic illnesses. The illnesses may include cardiovascular, arthritis, neurological, autism, metabolic disorders, and so on.
Inflammation plays a significant role in your body’s immune system. It helps to act as a defence mechanism, heals injuries, and repairs tissues. However, when the inflammation turns into a persistent and chronic condition, it can significantly contribute to the development of various chronic illnesses. The illnesses may include cardiovascular, arthritis, neurological, autism, metabolic disorders, and so on.
Studies have found that chronic low-grade inflammation plays a silent role in raising the levels of male hormones, and androgens in women, especially in conditions like PCOS. This happens by disrupting the ovarian microenvironment and stimulating the production of androgen hormones in the ovaries.
According to recent studies, genetics is one of the factors of the PCOS condition. It is believed that if any of your family members such as your mother, aunt, grandmother and so on have the condition, it is most likely that you too will be affected by the condition.
As you know PCOS is a hormonal condition that disrupts the regular menstrual cycle of a woman due to the increasing levels of male hormones, androgen. Even though women naturally have lower levels of androgen hormones present in their bodies, the condition tends to increase its level. This causes symptoms such as excessive hair growth in both face and body, irregular periods, acne, male-like baldness, and so on. The condition may sometimes even cause infertility in women.
Even though there is no complete cure for PCOS, the condition can be managed through several factors. They are:
Period irregularities or trouble conceiving : It's critical to speak with a fertility doctor at A4 Fertility Centre if you've been trying to conceive for more than a year without success or have irregular periods.
If you are not planning for the pregnancy, the treatment options for PCOS may include:
In simple terms, a healthy lifestyle means maintaining a healthy weight through regular workouts with simple and nutritious foods. Being obese and having unhealthy eating habits are the significant causes of developing PCOS. Leading a healthy lifestyle can contribute to minimizing various symptoms such as regulating your menstrual cycle, controlling acne, and lowering insulin levels. In addition, you can also consider including fibre-rich foods in the diet for better health.
With the help of certain medicines, you can diminish the impact and symptoms of PCOS. However, it is highly advisable to have a consultation with your physician before taking medications. They may prescribe you the most suitable medicines to manage your symptoms after the complete diagnosis.
Hormonal birth control options, if prescribed by your physician, can be used to manage some of the PCOS symptoms. Through the option, you may regulate your periods, control acne, remove abnormal hair growth and so on. The hormonal birth control options may come in different forms such as pills, injections, patches, vaginal rings, and intrauterine devices (IUDs). However, the option is best suited for the person who is not trying to get pregnant.
Anti-androgen medicines, if prescribed by your physician, can be used to manage some of the PCOS symptoms. Your healthcare provider may prescribe the medication to prevent the effect of androgen hormones. This significantly reduces hair fall and controls man-like baldness, acne, and so on.
Insulin-sensitizing medicines, if prescribed by your physician, can be used to improve your insulin resistance. The medication helps to regulate your blood sugar and reduce the levels of androgen hormone production. Many women with PCOS recognized improvements in their menstrual cycle regulation and other symptoms when insulin levels are managed with the help of such medicines.
If you are planning for the pregnancy, the treatment options for PCOS may include:
Since the PCOS condition is directly associated with disrupting the ovulation process, medications such as letrozole and clomiphene (Clomid) pills are used to induce ovulation. At times, gonadotropin shots are also used to induce ovulation. All these medications can indeed help to increase the chances of successful pregnancy.
While the condition of PCOS can be managed with lifestyle changes and medications, physicians choose surgery as an option in rare scenarios. The procedure can certainly help to restore the functions of the ovaries but with the likelihood of the cyst recurrence.
Laparoscopic ovarian drilling is the surgical procedure to treat PCOS. The procedure is performed by drilling the cysts that are present in the ovaries. This helps in reducing the production of androgen hormones and potentially enhancing the chances of fertility. The ovarian drilling procedure is generally considered the second line of treatment when other medications fail to induce ovulation.
Many women struggle to achieve pregnancy because of the PCOS condition. When medications and surgical options fail to induce ovulation and help with getting pregnant, fertility treatments are the most appropriate options. The fertility treatment options may include in vitro fertilization (IVF).
The IVF treatments are done by fertilizing your egg and your partner’s sperm in the laboratory. The fertilized eggs are then placed into your uterus for implantation.
The delayed diagnosis or untreated PCOS condition may develop the risk of causing various long-term complications. The complications may include:
Since polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder, regulating its levels can widely help with managing its symptoms. You can try to regulate the hormonal levels through lifestyle changes and medications. Understand your body. Keep a keen eye on the symptoms and talk to your healthcare provider regarding it. Having a routine follow-up with your physician can be a game-changer.
1. How is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) diagnosed?
Polycystic ovary syndrome is diagnosed through pelvic exams, ultrasound scans, and blood tests.
2. Can I get pregnant even if I have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
The answer to the question is yes. You can possibly get pregnant even with polycystic ovary syndrome. However, if you find it difficult to achieve pregnancy naturally, certain fertility treatments and medical assistance can enhance your chances of getting pregnant.
3. How long will it take to cure polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
Since polycystic ovary syndrome is a chronic medical condition, it is not certain to be cured completely. Yet, the symptoms that are associated with the condition can be managed with lifestyle changes and medications.
4. What are the risks of not having regular periods?
Not having regular periods is a condition called amenorrhea. This can significantly increase the risk of developing various health conditions. The conditions may include osteoporosis, infertility, heart disease, and sometimes even cause complications during and after pregnancy.
5. What is the list of hormones that affect polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
In PCOS condition, several hormones are affected. They are:
