Have you ever noticed unusual facial hair on any woman around you? Many times women feel ashamed about this. People even make fun of it, when they need more treatment from us. This is a medical condition called hirsutism.
This is the main symptom of PCOS, which is a medical condition. PCOS i.e. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is becoming a common problem for women all over the world these days. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the condition affects between 5 and 26% of women worldwide. According to data published in the Indian Journal of Biochemistry and Biophysics, 3.7 to 22.5% of women in India suffer from PCOS. This means that almost every fourth woman in the world goes through this condition.
Due to this medical condition, male hormones increase in women's body. This is directly related to insulin resistance, which also causes type 2 diabetes. When women's bodies do not respond well to insulin, the ovaries begin to produce large amounts of male hormones. Due to which more hair starts growing on the face. PCOS can also cause infertility problems.
That's why today in 'Health Water' we will talk about PCOS. You will also learn that-
- What are the symptoms and causes of PCOS?
- Is pregnancy still possible after PCOS?
- Can PCOS occur after menopause?
- Is it completely curable?
What is PCOS? PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a hormonal imbalance in women. Androgenesis, the production of male hormones, begins to increase in the ovaries of some girls. Due to this, ovulation occurs regularly. Hormonal imbalances can cause small or large cysts to form in the ovaries. Gradually the size of the cyst starts increasing. Due to which women have to face the problem of fertility and irregular periods.
This is what normal ovaries and PCOS ovaries look like
At what age does PCOS start? This condition can occur anytime after puberty in women. In most cases, this problem is seen at the age of 20-30 years. Usually, when someone tries to get pregnant, they face difficulties and it can be detected during the test. If a woman is obese or has a family history of PCOS, she may be more susceptible to it.
What are its symptoms? The most common symptoms of PCOS are irregular periods and abnormal body hair growth. Apart from this, symptoms like acne and sudden weight gain are also seen.
There is also the possibility that sometimes even though PCOS is present, no symptoms appear. Many women do not realize this condition until they experience problems during pregnancy or suddenly gain weight.
Why does PCOS occur? Despite many studies, the exact cause is still unknown. According to a study published in the prestigious journal Springer Link, when male hormones increase in women, there is a problem with ovarian hormone production and normal production of eggs. This problem usually starts due to insulin resistance. What are the other reasons for this, let's see in the graphic.
Can PCOS increase the risk of other diseases? Yes, PCOS is directly related to many diseases like diabetes and hypertension. This can also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. See the graphic to see what illnesses this can cause.
How is PCOS diagnosed? Doctors perform these tests to confirm PCOS-
caution- Dr. Shilpa Tiwari says that often 18-19-year-old girls come to her with complaints of PCOS. They have an ovarian ultrasound, which shows that the ovaries are not fully developed. This is because the ovaries are still in the developing stage. Hormonal changes are happening now and the body is adjusting accordingly. A diagnosis of PCOS should not be rushed at such a young age.
Dr. Shilpa cautions that PCOS cannot be diagnosed by ultrasound alone. To do this, some basic conditions are required. like-
- Periods don't come.
- There is a long gap between the two periods.
- Unwanted hair growth on the face.
Is it possible to completely cure PCOS? There is no specific treatment available for PCOS. In fact, during its treatment, doctors try to control its symptoms. The effects of PCOS can also change over time. If its symptoms weaken over time, people often forget about it. This condition never completely heals. However, the symptoms of this condition can be reduced by making some changes in your lifestyle and diet. This can also reduce complications during pregnancy.
Is it possible to get pregnant even if you have PCOS? Yes, of course it is possible. Pregnancy can occur even if one has PCOS. It is true that PCOS can make it difficult to conceive and it is also possible that you may face some difficulties during pregnancy. Despite this, pregnancy can occur and with a little care, a healthy baby can be born. PCOS is so common that many women don't even know they have PCOS and become mothers without any problems.
However, sometimes when the problem becomes severe, some treatment has to be resorted to.
Can PCOS occur after menopause? Yes, PCOS can affect someone even after menopause. Due to this, many hormonal changes occur and the quality of life can be affected. Many people think that there is no chance of pregnancy after menopause, so why undergo treatment. When we should consult a doctor for its proper treatment.
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).
