What is PCOS? Symptoms, Risks, and Fertility Impact

PCOS

What is PCOS?

PCOS i.e., Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a condition that can affect your periods, fertility, hormones and aspects of your appearance. It can also affect your long-term health. It is condition acquired due to interplay of various environmental and genetic factors that lead to disturbed Pituitary-Hypothalamic-Ovarian axis thus leading to vast spectrum of symptoms.

What are the signs and symptoms of PCOS?

PCOS is associated with symptoms such as irregular periods, weight gain, acne, excessive facial and body hair, hair loss and difficulty in conception. Depression and psychological problems can also result from having PCOS.

The symptoms vary from woman to woman. Some women have very few mild symptoms, while others are affected more severely by a wider range of symptoms.

Signs of PCOS includes-

evidence of anovulation,
Biochemical or clinical sign of hyperandrogenism where other pathologies of excessive androgen secretion is ruled out,
Ultrasound appearance of multiple small follicles in ovaries giving a polycystic appearance.

Any two out of three of these characters points towards one having PCOS.

Does having polycystic ovaries on ultrasound solely, means that I have PCOS?

Polycystic ovaries are slightly larger than normal ovaries and have twice the number of follicles (fluid-filled spaces within the ovary that release the eggs when you ovulate). Having polycystic ovaries does not necessarily mean that you have PCOS. Women with PCOS have symptoms as well as polycystic ovaries.

How does PCOS affect Fertility?

PCOS is known to cause anovulation i.e., failure of egg to rupture and be available for fertilization. Moreover, it causes hormonal imbalance which leads to impaired capacity of the baby to grow further in the uterus and increase in incidence of miscarriage. It also causes impaired sugar control because of which there is further hormonal imbalance and increase in severity of PCOS thus it is a vicious cycle which causes deterioration of one’s reproductive health.

What are the long-term risks associated with PCOS?

Women with PCOS are at an increased risks of following problems apart from their current problems of weight gain, acne, hairfall, irregular periods, etc.-

Increased chance of developing pregnancy related Diabetes i.e., Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM)
Increased chance of developing DM (Diabetes Mellitus) in later life
Increased chance of having High Blood Pressure in later life.
Increased incidence of womb cancers
Increased Incidence of depression and anxiety
Snoring and day time sleepiness

What can be done to reduce long term health risks?

eat a healthy balanced diet.

eat meals regularly, especially breakfast.
take exercise regularly (30 minutes at least three times a week).
You should aim to keep your weight to a level that is normal. BMI is the measurement of weight in relation to height and you should aim to keep your BMI between 19 and 25.
If you are overweight, it would be helpful to lose weight and maintain your weight at this new level. If your BMI is more than 30, discuss ways of losing weight, including weight-reducing drugs.

The benefits of losing weight include:

a lower risk of insulin resistance and developing diabetes
a lower risk of heart problems
a lower risk of cancer of the womb
more regular periods
an increased chance of becoming pregnant
a reduction in acne and a decrease in excess hair growth over time
improved mood and self-esteem.

You only have to lose a small amount of weight to make a difference to your symptoms and your health.

Is there a cure for PCOS?

There is no cure for PCOS. Medical treatments aim to manage and reduce the symptoms or consequences of having PCOS. Medication alone has not been shown to be any better than healthy lifestyle changes (weight loss and exercise).

Many women with PCOS successfully manage their symptoms and long-term health risks without medical intervention. They do this by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.