Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or Stein-Leventhal Syndrome, is a disorder that involves imbalance in the reproductive hormones in females. In this, the female suffering from PCOS will start to produce an inadequate amount of “Androgens”, a male sex hormone. This ultimately leads to formation of cysts (small fluid- filled sacs, not properly developed follicles, due to imbalance in the hormonal cycle) in the ovaries. These cysts delay the periods or even in extreme cases, there is even complete stoppage in the monthly periods of the patients.
The concerns and health issues regarding PCOS-
This disorder doesn’t only affect the menstrual cycle of the person but there are several other adverse conditions revolves around PCOS:
- The woman suffering from PCOS will find it difficult to conceive.
- The affected woman, if after several complications do get a success in conceiving a foetus, will be under high risk of miscarriage.
- There will be a risk of many metabolic diseases like: type 2 diabetes, uterus cancer, high blood pressure levels, obesity, endometrial cancer, etc.
- Not only physical imbalance, a female with PCOS goes through a roller coaster of emotional imbalance too. Anxiety, depression, overthinking , etc. are some common mental health issues that have been recorded in the PCOS patients.
Some common diagnosis for PCOS–
- Insulin resistance
- Infertility
- Obesity
- Hyperandrogenism (too much production of male sex hormone, i.e., testosterone in a female’s body)
- Polycystic ovaries (presence of cysts in the ovaries, can be detected through ultrasound)
- Acne
- Hirsutism (excessive or abnormal hair growth in some parts of body)
Treatment and cure for PCOS-
Till date, there is no cure to get rid of PCOS permanently. A female who once gets this disorder will be bearing it till death, but this doesn’t mean that she has to suffer from its symptoms on a regular basis.
With proper treatment, consulting sessions and a balanced routine including a proper diet plan, one can reduce the symptoms and effects of it to a greater extent.
Now, here comes the main concern, a person herself would not be able to understand what her body requires, what will be her unique diet needs and what physical activities she needs to opt for. For this, a person who had studied the disease and mastered all the terms and corners of it is needed to make the patient her own unique plan according to her unique body and diet needs.
Methods of PCOS treatment-
- Dietary therapy: As obesity and PCOS are directly inclined, the need for a proper diet and a balanced meal chart also becomes vital with this fact.
- Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs): PCOS brings not only obesity, but also imbalance in various hormones and secretions in a female’s body. To control this imbalance, OCPs could help a lot. These drugs regulate the secretions of ṭhese hormones and align that to the normal hormonal cycle to some extent.
- Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (LOD): It is a surgical method, in which rupturing and destroying some membranes of ovaries is done, in order to control the androgen production and to achieve normal ovulation cycle. Though, it’s a costly and risky method.
- Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART): In this, stimulation of ovaries by inducing exogenous gonadotropin is done. This helps to produce healthy multiple follicles in the ovaries. However, it often leads to Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS) in a person, so it’s a high risk method.
Nevertheless, whichever method would be used as a way to treat PCOS in a patient, a proper guidance and presence of a specialist or can say, a PCOS specialist is important.
Role of different specialists in the treatment of PCOS-
With different types of health issues involved with this disorder, the need for specialisation for the particular issue is vital. So, here comes the role of PCOS specialists in the frame.
Some of the specialists a person suffering from PCOS can go to are:
1. Endocrinologists- These are specialists, who are well knowledgeable in the topic of sex hormones and reproductive hormones. As many women with PCOS find it difficult to conceive, these specialists could make a well balanced plan for you with precautions and changes in your lifestyle to help you to be able to conceive.
- Dietician- A certified dietician plays a very important role in giving a balanced and unique diet to PCOS patients to control their hormones and weight gain.
3. Psychologists- Going through PCOS is physically as well as mentally challenging for someone. The disorder sometimes leads to anxiety, depression, low self esteem, demotivation, etc., in a person. So, for the patient to feel positive and good, a talk to a psychologist could prove to be a really good solution.
