There is more to PCOS than just irregular periods

CHENNAI: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is prevalent in females of reproductive age and is a hormonal condition. Women with PCOS may experience irregular or prolonged menstrual cycles or have elevated amounts of androgens or male hormones. The ovaries could produce lot of tiny fluid-filled sacs (follicles) but not consistently release eggs. As said before, male hormones are produced in greater quantities than usual by women with PCOS. Their body skips menstruation cycles as a result of this hormonal imbalance, which also makes it more difficult for them to become pregnant.

Everyone is confused about at which stage they have to consult a doctor, as there is still a lot of ignorance about the condition. This is one of the important parts that have to be taken into consideration. Most often, people put off visiting a doctor about the condition, which ultimately has serious negative consequences on both physical and mental health. Consult a doctor if one has concerns about the menstrual cycles, if one is having trouble getting pregnant, or if one is showing symptoms of an excess of androgens like increasing hirsutism, acne, or male-pattern baldness. Excess insulin may enhance the production of androgen, making ovulation problematic.

If there is a family history of PCOS, then one is more likely to acquire it during the menstruating years. Physical manifestations of high amounts of male hormones include hirsutism (excessive body and facial hair), severe acne and male-pattern baldness. Women with PCOS frequently experience depression and anxiety, yet these conditions are ignored and misdiagnosed.

It has also been demonstrated that a woman’s likelihood of experiencing depression or anxiety increases with the length of time it takes for her to acquire a PCOS diagnosis. Coping with PCOS symptoms can be challenging. It is crucial that one’s treatment plan be customised to fit their unique demands.

Dr Dhivyambigai Rajendran, Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Apollo Cradle and Children’s Hospital