.png)
A common condition affecting women of reproductive age is polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS.A person with healthy ovaries might experience monthly periods or cycles. However, a hormonal imbalance might arise in a person with PCOS, postponing the periods by days, weeks, or even months.Though there is currently no known cure for this, some lifestyle modifications can lower the chance of developing PCOS.
Symptoms
Symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome are-
Irregular periods/No periods-Irregular cycles called oligomenorrhea and amenorrhea,which is the total absence of periods is One of the most typical signs of PCOS
Cysts- Small fluid-like bags, commonly referred to as cysts, are visible in the ovaries during an ultrasound.However, it cannot always be regarded as a symptom because some PCOS patients are unaware that they have ovarian cysts.
Acne-Although it becomes increasingly common in adolescents, acne may be one of the symptoms of PCOS.PCOS-related acne can last after adolescence.
Weight gain-During PCOS, the body becomes less responsive to the insulin present in the body which leads the pancreas to produce insulin in excess.This increase in insulin would contribute to weight gain.
Infertility- It is one of the major issues caused by PCOS.Infertility rate among women with pcos is very high due to high level of androgen levels
Causes
Research shows that environment and genetics contribute to the development of pcos.
Insulin in the body is a hormone produced by pancreas to extract sugar from food to get energy.Women with pcos often exhibit high resistance to insulin.Usually they have high levels of inflammation,which means there's a possibility of being obese or overweight.What's really interesting is that pcos is not only found in women but also men.
High levels of insulin will cause the ovaries to produce more testosterone than needed.which gets in the way of follicle development and hence prevents the ovaries from undergoing normal ovulation.
Now since high levels of testosterone is one of the causes, what does it do?
The raised levels of these hormones is called hyperandrogenism. It leads to symptoms that affect both the physical and reproductive health.
Impact
Women experiencing Pcos have varying impacts depending on person to person.
Most women experiencing pcos and are obese are 8 times more likely at the risk of getting type 2 diabetes,which is due to the high level of insulin resistance
Uterine cancer, a cancer that begins in the layer of cells that form the endometrium or the inner lining of the uterus (plays an important role in menstrual cycle and pregnancy).PCOS makes the risk of uterine cancer possible this is because most patients miss their cycles due to pcos,now due to this the it leads to thickening of uterine lining and can make it possible for her to have uterine cancer.
Problems relating to the heart and high blood pressure can also be seen in the patient.
Lifestyle and management
Pcos is a difficult disorder that many women worldwide suffer with.The only practical solution, regardless of the lack of an understood cure, would be a change in lifestyle and a healthy diet.Birth control tablets is a different approach that could help regulate the menstrual period.
It can be difficult to understand someone who has the condition because women can have varying stages of the condition; some don't feel anything at all, while others experience all the symptoms.
Myths
Myths are preconceptions that come with a variety of problems.These are typically worries of patients or their loved ones.Most popular misconceptions about PCOS are
Is it impossible for women with PCOS to conceive?
While most women who have PCOS become pregnant, they often take longer to fall pregnant and are more likely to need fertility treatment than women without PCOS.
Can women with PCOS lose weight?
Being a pcos patient, it is definitely not impossible to lose weight. What’s important to keep in mind would be that PCOS affects women differently. .Women experiencing mild PCOS wouldn't usually have most of the symptoms but the ones experiencing chronic or severe PCOS would find it difficult to shed a few pounds due to the high insulin resistance or hormonal imbalances.
Does an irregular menstrual cycle indicate the possibility of having PCOS?
No, experiencing an irregular menstrual cycle in the early years after the onset of menstruation is very usual.This occurs as a result of the body attempting to adapt to the hormonal changes.Although it may be used as a symptom, it is not an accurate indicator of the condition.be used as a symptom, It cannot be used as the sole indicator of the condition.
Is PCOS a rare condition?
No, absolutely not. According to statistics, PCOS affects 8–13% of women globally, making it one of the most common endocrine diseases affecting women who are of reproductive age. Up to 70% of women with PCOS are completely undiagnosed, stressing the need for improved diagnosis procedures and more awareness.
Conclusion
Around the world, PCOS impacts a great number of women. Even though it can make life difficult, people can have healthier and more satisfying lives if they are conscious of its causes and effective management techniques. We can build a more knowledgeable and caring society by debunking myths, raising awareness, and helping people who are impacted.
Bibliography
Agrawal, A., Dave, A. and Jaiswal, A. (2023). Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Cureus, [online] 15(10). doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.46859.
Balzer, D. (2024). Mayo Clinic Minute: Endometrial cancer associated with polycystic ovary syndrome - Mayo Clinic News Network. [online] Mayo Clinic News Network. Available at: https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/mayo-clinic-minute-endometrial-cancer-associated-with-polycystic-ovary-syndrome/.
Cleveland Clinic (2023). Uterine Cancer: Symptoms & Treatment. [online] Cleveland Clinic. Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16409-uterine-cancer.
Mayo Clinic (2022). Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - Symptoms and Causes. [online] Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439.
Mousa, S., Brady, Mousa, S. and Mousa (2009). Polycystic ovary syndrome and its impact on women’s quality of life: More than just an endocrine disorder. Drug, Healthcare and Patient Safety, [online] p.9. doi:https://doi.org/10.2147/dhps.s4388.
NHS Choices (2019). Causes - Polycystic ovary syndrome. [online] NHS. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/causes/.
WHO (2023). Polycystic ovary syndrome. [online] World Health Organization. Available at: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.www.pennmedicine.org.
5 Myths About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - Penn Medicine. [online] Available at: https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/fertility-blog/2020/march/five-myths-about-pcos.
Comments