In recent years, PCOS has become a widely recognized hormonal disorder. Affecting about 8% to 13% of women belonging to the reproductive age, the condition is characterized by hormonal imbalances, irregular menstrual cycles, acne, weight gain, and excessive hair growth. These symptoms may vary from person to person and are easily confused with other conditions, making diagnosis challenging. The WHO states that about 70% of women battling this condition remain undiagnosed worldwide, significantly affecting their quality of life and overall well-being.
Understanding PCOS
PCOS is a hormonal condition that affects the ovaries, which are crucial organs in the female reproductive system responsible for producing hormones and eggs for fertilization. When affected by PCOS, the ovaries produce an unusually high amount of hormones called androgens, leading to an imbalance in the ratio of reproductive hormones that regulate ovarian function.
Dr. Swati Mishra, IVF Specialist, Birla Fertility and IVF, Kolkata, says, “Women are born with a fixed number of eggs, stored in small sacs or follicles in the ovaries, located on either side of the uterus. In a healthy woman with a normal menstrual cycle, these follicles grow and burst, releasing an egg into one of the fallopian tubes each month to be fertilized by sperm.”
However, hormonal imbalances in PCOS prevent these follicles from growing or releasing an egg. Instead, immature eggs accumulate in the ovaries, forming cysts. The eggs are not released; hence the women do not bleed. The lack of ovulation and irregular periods make it difficult for women with PCOS to conceive. This is the case with most of the women affected by PCOS. However, in some cases there are no symptoms and the condition is only identified when they try to get pregnant.
The causes
Even though PCOS is a prevalent condition, its exact cause is not known. “The most common argument is that high levels of male hormones prevent the ovaries from producing female hormones and making eggs normally. Additionally, insulin resistance, obesity, and inflammation are considered to be reasons for excess androgen production. Studies also suggest that PCOS runs in families, and it is likely that multiple genes may contribute to the condition,” adds Dr Mishra.
The symptoms
Typically, people suffering from PCOS have at least two of the three symptoms: Irregular or missed periods, signs of excessive androgens, enlarged ovaries or polycystic appearance of ovaries on ultrasound.
While these signs need diagnosis, there are some commonly visible signs: hair loss, excessive face and body hair, oily skin, acne, darkened skin, skin tags, pain in the lower belly, weight gain, ovarian cysts and mood fluctuation.
The treatment
Dr Mishra quips, “There is no cure for PCOS. The symptoms can only be managed by taking regular medication and making positive lifestyle changes.”
Eating a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, managing stress, maintaining a consistent sleep cycle, and taking medications on time are some of the ways to regulate hormonal imbalance. Furthermore, regular check-ups can also help reduce visible symptoms such as acne, facial hair, and obesity.
Following these simple measures can also help women conceive and deliver a healthy baby. PCOS does make it more challenging for women to conceive, but seeking the right help at the right time can help overcome fertility-related challenges.
In complicated cases, women with PCOS can opt for IVF to conceive. With IVF, they have a higher chance of getting pregnant with minimal risks. In this advanced assisted reproductive treatment, women are administered ovarian stimulating hormones, which mature the eggs that are retrieved for fertilization and implantation. This technique works well for PCOS, increasing the chances of getting pregnant by up to 70%.
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