Your Health Q&A:PCOS

Many women destined to suffer from PCOS or known as a polycystic ovarian syndrome. Diagnosed at a young age or in a teenage phase of life when she suffers from irregular menses, abnormal hair growth at face or body and acne. On another hand, many women surprised when diagnosed after marriage due to difficulty to conceive and frequent miscarriages due to the surge of blood sugar, commonly found in PCOS patient.

What are the main causes for such condition?
The exact cause is not found, however, it is believed that excess androgen production in the body interrupts normal estrogen production for the production of eggs. However, genes, inflammation and insulin resistance linked with PCOS.

How is PCOS diagnosed?

Clinical examination partially gives clues, definite diagnosis achieved with a blood test and abdominal ultrasound.

Is PCOS serious?
Yes, it is often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Both events usher to serious health consequences or the symptoms impair quality of life.

Can PCOS disappear on it own?
There is no definite cure for PCOS, it is a lifelong condition. Women with PCOS will suffer from excess androgen production even at menopausal age.

Is PCOS painful?
It is not painful, but certain women will experience mild discomfort at the lower stomach when eggs released or during the ovulation period , in midcycle.

What are the types of PCOS?
There are 4 most common types of PCOS; insulin resistance PCOS, inflammatory PCOS, hidden cause PCOS and pill-induced PCOS.

Can a woman conceive easily with this condition?
Definitely can despite many women find it difficult due to hormonal balance. Also, maintaining pregnancy would be challenging due to subsequent complications.

What are the consequences of untreated PCOS?
Endometrial or uterine cancer identified as the long term complications of PCOS, irregular ovulation results in no progesterone production which is responsible for the buildup of uterine wall lining. Uncontrobble uterine wall growth leads to endometrial cancer.

Will removal of ovaries solves PCOS?
Yes, a woman may opt for removal of ovaries and uterus called bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or hysterectomy if decides for no future pregnancies.

What are the health complications from PCOS?
Weight gain, mostly at obese range due to excess androgen release and leads to insulin resistance or diabetes. Worsening of acne due to hormonal imbalance and excess androgen too.

How can I help myself to make my menses regular amidst this condition?
You may consult with a doctor to take contraceptive pills by keeping in mind regarding its side effects and safer duration. Apart from that, researches affirmed that vitamin D help in irregular menses too.

What medical can offer to get a PCOS women pregnant if the natural method fails?

Firstly, consult with an obstetric & gynaecology specialist regarding the condition. She will be guided to the other options such as in-vitro fertilization and test-tube fertilization. They will manipulate the patient's ovary with medications to produce good ovum to get fertilized with her husband's sperms artificially.

From kitchen to cure:

• Chewing about 10 leaves of tulsi(holy basil) leaves in the morning or empty stomach helps to curb the excess androgen production.
• Amla helps in weight loss.
• Cinnamon aid in controlling blood sugar level, just mix a spoon of them in tea or milk.

"Being a healthy woman isn't about getting on a scale and measuring waistline."