PCOS

Tell us about pcos

PCOS or Polycystic Ovary syndrome is a disorder where there is hormonal imbalance in young women causing weight gain, irregular menstrual cycles, excessive hair growth, acne and infertility.

It usually affects women in the reproductive age group. There is an excess of male hormones that causes delayed periods and hair growth. This condition is diagnosed by symptoms, and by blood test that shows and increase in testosterone levels. An ultrasound of the ovaries will show cysts confirming the diagnosis.

Symptoms of the disease maybe:

Excessive weight gain

Irregular periods

Infertility

Acne

Excessive hair growth – body and face

Heavy menstrual bleeding

Male pattern baldness – hair may start to thin out in the front

Pigmentation in the folds like in arm pits, neck, under breasts

why facial hair

Serum testosterone, the male hormone levels in the blood rise in PCOS causing excessive facial hair growth. Testosterone prevents the ovaries from functioning normally causing an imbalance in hormones, preventing the egg release and in delaying menstrual periods.

High androgen activity is the cause for excessive facial growth. This could happen because of genetics, insulin resistance or obesity

Treatment

Treatment of PCOD starts from lifestyle changes.

Regular exercise of 30 mins a day, 3-4 times weekly of moderate to high intensity interval training will help

Diet containing low GI foods or low carbohydrate will help to decrease insulin resistance, inflammation and will help regularize hormones.

Weight loss is crucial to help hormones work more effectively

Birth control pills may be prescribed by gynaecologist to regularize hormones, to induce ovulation (egg release) and helps to reduce excessive hair growth.

Laser hair removal is permanent reduction of unwanted hair that targets hair follicles reducing growth, density and thickness over a few sessions. In people with PCOS, these treatments really benefit those affected with excessive growth but may need to be maintained with regular sessions.

Metformin is a medicine which is usually given in diabetes but also helps to combat insulin resistance and may be prescribed in PCOD

For infertility your gynaecologist may also prescribe other fertility drugs to induce ovulation.

dos and donts

Dos

Exercise regularly

Follow a low carb diet or a diet containing low GI foods like fruit, vegetables, whole grains etc

Do lose weight

Visit a gynaecologist

See your dermatologist for help with your skin issues

Don’t

Avoid processed foods

Avoid sugar