The story continues: On another Sunday afternoon, Vaanya, her Aai, and Aaji are sitting together in their cozy living room. This time, Vaanya looked more contemplative than usual. Stirring her tea, she said, “Aai, Aaji, something happened last week. One of my friends, just 27, has been trying to conceive for the past year and is now diagnosed with PCOS. She is devastated that she may not be able to conceive because of the condition, and her words broke my heart.”
Vineeta leaned forward in concern, “Beta, PCOS.. I have been hearing this word quite often these days. What exactly is PCOS?”
Laxmi Devi nodded, frowned, “Yes, even I’ve heard a few neighbours discussing PCOS, is it that common nowadays?”
Vaanya took a deep breath and said, “Yes, Aaji, it is far more common than most people even realise. Let me explain..”
What is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age that starts from adolescence, and the symptoms may fluctuate over time. It’s a condition where a woman’s ovaries start producing male hormone (androgen) at higher than normal levels. Affecting not just the ovaries, it can lead to a variety of symptoms, including irregular periods, weight gain, excessive hair growth, acne, mood changes, and, in some cases, long-term health effects.
Understanding The Different Types of PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) isn’t the same for every woman—it can show up in different ways. While there is no official classification system for it, the Rotterdam criteria are widely used by doctors to categorize the condition. As per the Rotterdam criteria, PCOS is diagnosed if at least two of the following three features are present:
- Irregular or missing periods (which means ovulation not happening regularly)
- Signs of high levels of “male” hormones, like excessive hair growth, acne, or thinning hair
- Ovaries that have many small cysts seen on an ultrasound
Based on these signs, PCOS can be grouped into four main types or “phenotypes,” each with its own set of symptoms:
Type A (Classic PCOS): This is the most common kind where all three signs are present—irregular periods, hormone imbalance, and cystic ovaries.
Type B: Women with this type have irregular periods and high male hormones, but their ovaries don’t show cysts on ultrasound. They may face fertility challenges and hormonal symptoms.
Type C: These women have hormone imbalance and cystic ovaries but regular periods. They might not have fertility issues but deal with symptoms like acne or hair thinning.
Type D: This type includes irregular periods and cystic ovaries but without signs of hormone imbalance. Women with this type may notice more metabolic concerns related to PCOS.
Knowing which type of PCOS you have helps your doctor decide on the best treatment plan that’s suited to your specific needs. Every woman’s experience is unique, and understanding your PCOS type is a key step in managing symptoms and staying healthy.
What Causes PCOS?
While the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, there are a few factors that can lead to symptoms related to PCOS in many women. These may include genetics, insulin resistance, hormonal imbalance, low-grade inflammation, dietary choices, sedentary lifestyle, and environmental factors.
Understanding these underlying causes is the first step towards better management of PCOS symptoms.
Recognising The Symptoms of PCOS
PCOS symptoms vary widely among individuals. Some women may experience only a few, while others may have several. Here are the most common symptoms associated with PCOS:
- Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Many women with PCOS experience irregular cycles or prolonged periods. Some may have fewer than 8 cycles per year, while others have heavy bleeding.
- Polycystic Ovaries: Ultrasounds show multiple immature follicles.
- Excess of Androgens: Women with PCOS generally show higher than normal levels of male hormone (androgens). This represents skin and hair issues like acne, excessive hair growth (hirsutism), and male pattern baldness.
- Weight Gain: Many individuals struggle with weight management and gain weight abnormally.
- Scalp Hair Thinning: Some women face thinning of hair due to hair fall and may end up with male pattern baldness.
- Insulin Resistance: With PCOS, women’s bodies are unable to use insulin and are at risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
- Fertility Issues: One of the most common causes of infertility in women is PCOS, due to irregular ovulation or absence altogether.
- Mood Changes and Sleep Apnea: Mood fluctuations often occur due to hormonal disturbance. It can lead to anxiety or depression in some cases. Another major issue women with PCOS face is a lack of sleep.
If you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, contact Jhappie Healthcare for end-to-end support with proper diagnosis and management. Early interventions help manage the condition better and avoid any long-term complications with PCOS.
Complications and Risks Associated With PCOS
PCOS can lead to a range of complications and health risks apart from the normal symptoms due to the impact on insulin resistance, metabolism, and hormonal imbalances. Some of the complications and risks associated with PCOS are:
- Infertility: Irregular menstrual cycles and absence of ovulation may cause infertility.
- Metabolic Disorders: A cluster of conditions like abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar levels, and abnormal cholesterol levels.
- Type 2 Diabetes: Insulin resistance can lead to Type 2 Diabetes.
- Cardiovascular conditions like heart attack and stroke may arise due to high levels of cholesterol, insulin resistance, and high blood pressure.
- Other common complications are endometrial hyperplasia or cancer, sleep apnea, mental health issues, skin and hair issues, non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and pregnancy-related complications.
How Is PCOS Diagnosed
While there is no single confirmatory test to diagnose PCOS, doctors use a combination of the following to diagnose PCOS:
- Symptom Review: Acne, hair loss, excessive facial hair growth, high testosterone levels, irregular or absent menstrual periods
- Blood tests to check various hormones and insulin levels.
- Ultrasound to check the ovaries. However, for some women, an ultrasound doesn’t show polycystic ovaries, and other symptoms may be taken into consideration for a diagnosis.
It is essential to note that some of the above symptoms may also occur during puberty, menopause, and other similar periods. Therefore, consultation with an expert is critical to an accurate diagnosis. Contact the care managers at Jhappie Healthcare to connect with the best gynecologists in Pune for appropriate clinical guidance for PCOS.
PCOS And Fertility
While PCOS interferes with ovulation, that doesn’t mean that a woman with PCOS cannot conceive. The infertility due to PCOS is often temporary. With proper medication, lifestyle and dietary changes, and sometimes with assisted fertility techniques, many women with PCOS can go on and conceive healthy babies.
Can PCOS Be Prevented?
There’s no sure way to completely prevent PCOS, because our genetics and environment play a major role, but adopting a healthy lifestyle early in life such as healthy, balanced diet, reducing consumption of junk and processed foods, low sugar intake, moderate exercise daily, maintaining a healthy weight, good sleep, reducing stress factors, taking care of mental health, can help reduce the risk of PCOS, as well as that of further complications, if one is already diagnosed with PCOS.
Living with PCOS: Treatment And Management
The harsh reality about PCOS is that, as of now, it cannot be fully cured. But the good news is that the symptoms can be managed, and further complications can be prevented with early and accurate diagnosis and an effective treatment plan, along with some lifestyle changes.
Managing PCOS is a composite approach tailored to the individual’s symptoms and health goals.
Some common treatment options are as follows:
- Lifestyle Changes:
- Dietary Modifications: Adopt a balanced diet, including fibres (fruits and vegetables), whole grains, and lean protein to help manage weight and insulin levels. Avoid processed foods and refined sugars. The Mediterranean Diet is often recommended.
- Regular Exercise: Engage in regular exercise (at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise per week) to improve insulin sensitivity, lose weight, and regulate menstrual cycles.
- Medical Modalities (Under Clinical Supervision):
- Birth Control Pills: By balancing hormone levels, these pills can help regulate menstrual cycles and reduce symptoms like acne and hirsutism.
- Metformin: Insulin sensitivity is another common cause as well as a symptom in PCOS, and metformin helps to improve that. It is also useful to regulate periods and aid in weight management.
- Fertility Treatments: Assisted reproductive techniques or medicine like clomiphene citrate are aids for those who are trying to conceive.
- Anti-Androgen Therapy: Androgen blockers like spironolactone can help manage acne and hirsutism.
- Community and Mental Health Support
Building a supportive community can make a world of difference when managing PCOS. Connecting with others who share similar experiences helps reduce isolation, boosts confidence, and provides practical insights. Look for PCOS support groups, both online and offline — from Facebook and Instagram communities to advocacy forums that share the latest research, lifestyle tips, and personal stories.
In addition, consider mental health counseling as part of your PCOS care plan. Speaking with a therapist who understands hormonal and emotional health can help manage anxiety, mood swings, or body image concerns often linked to PCOS.
How SHE-SUITE by Jhappie Healthcare Helps Women with PCOS Diagnosis and Management
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Answering Your FAQs On PCOS
Q1. Can PCOS resolve on its own?
A. No, PCOS is a lifelong condition, but symptoms can be eased with lifestyle changes and medication.
Q2. Does PCOS mean one cannot conceive?
A. No, not always. With treatments and assisted fertility techniques, women with PCOS can conceive a healthy pregnancy.
Q3. Can home remedies and Yoga cure PCOS?
A. No, these cannot cure PCOS; but both can help ease the symptoms.
Q4. Is PCOS only about weight?
A. No, PCOS is more about hormones than just weight. A healthy-looking woman with a lean to average build can also have PCOS.
Take Charge of PCOS Today, With SHE-Suite by Jhappie Healthcare
As the sun dipped a bit lower, Aaji said, “We may each be dealing with different challenges, arthritis, menopause, or PCOS, but one thing is certain: when a woman takes charge of her health early in life, she can enjoy a healthy, happy, and fuller life.”
Vaanya added, “Yes, Aaji, and with support systems like Jhappie Healthcare, we certainly do not have to deal with it all alone. They are here to guide us at every step of our healthcare journeys”.
Vineeta raised her cup, “To taking charge of our health, at every stage of life”.
Sign up for Jhappie Healthcare’s SHE-SUITE: Your trusted partner in Women’s Healthcare.
