Understanding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition among women of reproductive age. It can cause irregular menstrual cycles, hormonal imbalances, and other physical symptoms like weight gain and facial hair growth. Understanding PCOS can help women manage their own symptoms more effectively and reduce the risk of developing serious health conditions. In this article, we’ll discuss the percentage of women in India with PCOS and why it’s important to address the issue.
According to an analysis by infertility hospitals in India, approximately one in five Indian women aged between 18 and 35 suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). This means that over 20 percent of reproductive-aged women living in India have been diagnosed with PCOS – the highest rate of any country.
The non-availability or poor availability of diagnosis facilities further contributes to these figures – due to either financial limitations or limited awareness regarding diagnostic tests such as ultrasound imaging which can help identify ovarian cysts caused by PCOS with relative accuracy and ease. Additionally, culturally pervasive stereotypes surrounding female health issues can have a deep impact on how many girls reach out for medical solutions when they do encounter problematic symptoms associated with PCOS.
What Causes PCOS?
- Women with PCOS may produce slightly more male hormones known as androgens than other women do; this higher level of circulating testosterone can lead to increased hair growth on the face and body as well as acne breakouts.
- Insulin resistance is also thought to be a factor in some cases; someone with insulin resistance requires more insulin than others for their cells to use glucose for energy production–because regular amounts are not adequate– which can lead to changes in hormone levels related to ovarian functioning or egg production.
- In addition to its prevalence in India, PCOS also disproportionately affects women belonging to certain socio-economic backgrounds or those living in rural areas where medical treatment and education are scarce. This makes it especially important to ensure access to accurate information about the condition and provide improved healthcare services for women dealing with the disorder.
How To Diagnose PCOS?
PCOS is diagnosed through a combination of physical exams including assessment by an experienced physician along with blood tests measuring hormone levels such as testosterone and luteinizing hormone which helps determine if there’s a significant abundance respectively low amounts which could speak towards polycystic ovarian syndrome. Imaging technology such as ultrasound scans often come into play too since ovarian cysts are usually present within those affected by PCS¬–though not all polycystic ovaries contain them –and these cysts appear similar structures commonly seen in other medical conditions making diagnosis sometimes tricky.
Identify the Symptoms
The most common symptom of PCOS is irregular or absent menstrual periods due to hormone irregularities. Other physical characteristics include acne, weight gain around the abdomen, thinning hair on the scalp, changes in body shape such as enlarged hands and feet, and excessive hair growth on the face and body including chest, back, or even earlobes. Women with PCOS may also experience depression or anxiety due to hormonal changes caused by the disorder.
- Consult with a Medical Professional: If you suspect that you may have PCOS it’s important to consult your doctor as soon as possible. A medical professional will be able to perform tests to diagnose your condition and help develop a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.
- Understand Your Treatment Options: Treatment options for dealing with PCOS can vary depending on individual circumstances but generally revolve around lifestyle modification. A healthcare provider may recommend dietary modifications such as replacing processed foods with nutritious ones; regular exercise including activities like walking or swimming; stress-reduction techniques such as yoga or mindfulness meditation; and/or certain medications such as oral contraceptives or anti-androgen medicines to manage hormone levels in your body.
- Take Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy can help treat some of the medical conditions caused by PCOS. It involves taking medications that contain hormones like progesterone, which helps restore hormonal balance and regulate menstrual function. Additionally, hormone therapy can help reduce symptoms like acne and facial hair growth caused by an imbalance in testosterone levels.
- Engage In Regular Exercise: Exercise is one of the best ways to improve overall health and manage PCOS symptoms. Additionally, weight loss resulting from regular exercise can also help regulate your menstrual cycle as well as other symptoms associated with PCOS.
- Consume A Balanced Diet: What you eat can significantly affect how you feel – especially when it comes to managing chronic conditions like PCOS. Eating a balanced diet that includes plenty of nutrients from all food groups is essential for overall health but is especially important for people with PCOS because it helps maintain a healthy weight and regulate hormone levels in the body.
- See an Acupuncturist or Herbalist: Another option for treating Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is to see an acupuncturist or herbalist for specialized treatments that focus on restoring energy balance within your body through needle insertion points or herbal formulas meant to stimulate different areas of the body’s energy system. An experienced acupuncturist or herbalist typically works together with a patient’s physician in order to achieve great results when treating any chronic condition such as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).
- Meditate Daily: The practice of meditation has also been shown to benefit women suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This type of holistic healing relies on focusing attention inward so that stress levels decrease while relaxation increases – both key tools needed when trying to get relief from this condition’s aggravating symptoms such as insomnia or mood swings worsened by depression or anxiety disorders which are common among those affected by Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCS).
- Learn About Fertility Treatment Options: Unfortunately one of the common long-term side effects for women living with untreated PCOS is difficulty conceiving a child naturally due to disrupted ovulation cycles resulting from high levels of male hormones in their bodies. Fortunately, in these cases, medical treatments exist that can improve fertility outcomes for those affected by PCOS including clomiphene citrate which helps trigger ovulation and intrauterine insemination which places sperm close to an egg resulting in greater chances of conception.
Educate Yourself About Additional Complications
Living with uncontrolled PCOS over extended periods of time can lead to a wide range increase risks for serious illnesses related to metabolic syndrome including heart disease, diabetes, miscarriages, cancer, stroke, hypertension, etc. Thus it’s especially important for women living with this disorder to educate themselves about potential complications so that they know what signs & symptoms to look out for and how best to monitor & manage their condition going forward.
Empower Women With Knowledge
Women need easy access to facts about fertility and women’s hormonal patterns so that they know what a normal menstrual cycle should look like and can identify any anomalies that suggest related diseases such as PCOS. Without knowledge, Indian women might remain unaware of their condition until their problems become too painful for them to ignore which delays treatment — hence helping individuals catch this reproductive hormone disorder before severe damage has taken place is crucial in India.
In conclusion, Providing better access to healthcare services as well as increased support groups can help reduce stigma and open up conversations about ways to recognize and manage this debilitating disorder showing up within our populations today.
