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PCOS (Polcstic Ovary Syndrome)
- 1. PCOS is one of the common gynaecological problems among the adolescent age group and childbearing age group in which a hormone imbalance causes irregular periods or no periods at all, increased facial or body hair, acne, overweight or rapid increase in weight or difficulty in losing weight and may affect fertility.
- 2. PCOS is associated with obesity and increased insulin resistance and therefore increases the risk of developing diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease and other conditions later in life.
- 3. Women with PCOS can reduce the risk of long-term health problems by having a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a normal body weight.
FAQ's
- IS PCOS(polycystic ovary syndrome ) AND PCO (polycystic ovary) SAME?
- Having a polycystic ovary in ultrasound(slightly bigger ovary and twice the number of follicles)does not necessarily mean that you have PCOS.
- Women with PCOS will have the symptoms as well as Polycystic ovaries.
- WHAT COULD PCOS MEAN FOR MY LONG-TERM HEALTH?
- Insulin resistance and diabetes: 1 to 2 in every 10 PCOS Women go to diabetes at some point. The risk is increased if you are more than 40,family history of diabetes, developed diabetes during pregnancy and are obese(BMI more than 30)
- High blood pressure and heart disease:likely related to insulin resistance and obese rather than PCOS itself.
- CANCER: If you have fewer than three periods in a year, the lining of the uterus can thicken and can lead to endometrial cancer in a small number of women. IT does not increase the chance of breast or ovarian cancer.
- DEPRESSION AND MOOD SWINGS.
- WHAT CAN I DO TO REDUCE LONG-TERM HEALTH RISKS?
- There are many ways to reduce the overall risk of long-term health risk.
- Having a healthy lifestyle: means eating a healthy balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables and cutting down on sugar, salt and caffeine.
- Eat meals regularly, especially breakfast.
- Take exercise regularly (30 minutes at least 3 times a week).
- All to maintain ideal body weight.
- Have regular health checkups: to monitor diabetes, cancer of the endometrium, high blood pressure and depression and psychological problems.
- Is that a cure for PCOS?
- There is no cure for PCOS. Medical treatments aim to manage and reduce the symptoms or consequences of having PCOS. Medications alone have not been shown to be any better than healthy lifestyle changes.
- Sources from RCOG patient information leaflet.
