Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman’s hormone levels. It can affect fertility as well and lead to various other complications too, the most common is insulin resistance. Therefore you can not take PCOs lightly. 

If you have symptoms such as increased facial hair growth, acne, weight gain, difficulty losing weight, and missed periods, the chances are high that you might have PCOS. You should take it seriously and visit the healthcare provider soon. To get an expert opinion, you can consult a gynecologist doctor in lahore.

Here in this article, we will discuss polycystic ovarian syndrome. Sometimes, it can make conception difficult for you. So the healthcare providers treat it, then you might get pregnant. However, having PCOS does not mean that you can never get pregnant. With timely and appropriate treatment of PCOs, you can conceive soon. 

PCOS affects women during their childbearing years (ages 15 to 44). 

The three main features of PCOS are:

• cysts in the ovaries
• high levels of male hormones
• irregular or skipped periods

What Causes PCOS?

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but it occurs when the androgens- male hormones increase in concentration than usual. It affects around 5 to 10% of women. 

Other causes include: 

• Genes
• Insulin resistance
• Inflammation 
• Obesity 

What Are The Symptoms of PCOS?

The most common PCOS symptoms are:

• Irregular periods
• Heavy bleeding
• Hair growth (Excess hair growth is called hirsutism)
• Acne
• Weight gain
• Male pattern baldness
• Darkening of the skin
• Headaches

What Are The Effects of PCOS on the body?

Having higher-than-normal androgen levels can affect your fertility and other aspects of your health. PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility in women.

Both obesity and PCOS increase your risk for:

• high blood sugar
• high blood pressure
• low HDL “good” cholesterol
• high LDL “bad” cholesterol

Together, all these factors cause metabolic syndrome, and they increase the risk for:

• heart disease
• diabetes
• stroke

PCOS also increases the risk of endometrial cancer. During menstruation, the uterine lining sheds. If ovulation doesn’t occur, the lining might build up. A thickened uterine lining can significantly increase the risk of endometrial cancer. Therefore you must visit the gynecologist soon if you have missed periods and are not pregnant. 

PCOS can also lead to depression. 

How Is PCOS Diagnosed?

PCOS can be diagnosed if at least two of these three symptoms appear: 

• high androgen levels
• irregular menstrual cycles
• cysts in the ovaries

Acne, face and body hair growth, and weight gain are other parameters used for diagnosing PCOS. 

Your doctor may examine your pelvis to look for any problems with your reproductive tract. Other than that, blood tests check for higher-than-normal levels of male hormones, cholesterol, insulin, and triglyceride levels. 

An ultrasound may also help to diagnose PCOS. 

What Are Diet And Lifestyle Tips For PCOS?

Lifestyle modification plays an essential role in treating PCOS. Changes such as weight loss, diet, and exercise can significantly help to treat PCOS. 

Weight loss can also:

• improve cholesterol levels
• lower insulin
• reduce heart disease and diabetes risks

According to a few studies on PCOS, low carbohydrate diets are considered effective for both weight loss and lowering insulin levels.

Exercise is even more beneficial when combined with a healthy diet to treat PCOS. 

How Is PCOS Treated?

Treatment of PCOS includes 

• Birth control pills

Taking progestin daily can:

• restore a normal hormone balance
• regulate ovulation
• relieve symptoms like excess hair growth
• protect against endometrial cancer

Others: 

• Metformin – improves insulin levels
• Clomiphene helps women with PCOS get pregnant.
• Hair removal medications
• Laser hair removal to remove excess hair 
• Surgery is done if all the other treatments don’t work. Ovarian drilling is a surgical procedure that makes tiny holes in the ovary with a laser to restore normal ovulation.

The Bottom Line 

PCOS can affect a woman’s fertility and lead to various other complications. Therefore you can not take it lightly. You must visit the healthcare provider soon if you have any symptoms because it needs timely treatment. You must attend follow-up visits with the healthcare provider. To get an expert opinion, you can consult a gynecologist in islamabad