Why all Women Should Know About Polycystic Ovaries Syndrome ?

PCOS, an acronym you must have come across at least once but never have you bothered to look up for what it stands for.

Just as breast cancer, Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of those gripping diseases which has affected millions of women worldwide. PCOS is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The most dangerous fact about PCOS is that it has no cure and It is the most common endocrine disorder among women between the ages of 18 and 44.

As per the World Health Organisation, around 116 million women across the globe have been affected by it. Here are some symptoms that you should be aware of.

• Thinning of hair on scalp, or excessive growth of hair on your face, or your stomach, back, thumbs or toes can be treated as signs of PCOS.
• If you are suffering from irregular periods or periods lasting for weeks or months, then you must visit a doctor as soon as possible.
• Acne, which is categorized as blackheads, whiteheads, pimples or oily skin is also a sign of suffering from PCOS.
• In case you have a history of miscarriages or a problem in conceiving then you might be suffering from PCOS.
• Mood swings in the form of irritation as well as depression are symptoms of PCOS.

In order to confirm if you have PCOS or not then, these are the tests which  you must undergo.

• Physical exams
  A visit to your doctor can help you understand the reasons behind the symptoms such as weight gain or weight loss ,changes in blood pressure , changes in body mass index and help you check  for excessive hair growth.
• Pelvic exam:
  Doctors can check for enlarged ovaries or swollen up ovaries due to increased number of cysts.
• Blood tests
  A Blood test needs to be conducted in order to check the androgen hormones and glucose level in your body.
• Sonogram
  A Sonogram or vaginal ultrasound may be conducted when your ovaries cysts and lining of the womb need to be examined.

Although, PCOS does not have any cure, however certain treatments can help in stabilising its growth. These include intake of birth control pills in order to come over the irregularities in periods, acne and excess hair growth. Regular exercising is mandatory in order to overcome obesity caused due to resistance of insulin in the body. If one is suffering from this disease then they should undergo treatments related to their symptoms such as treatment of hirsutism and acne, lowering of insulin resistance levels, restoration of fertility and restoration of regular menstruation.

Also, PCOS affects a woman’s  mental stability . Thus, the family members as well as their friends should provide enough encouragement and support to the woman suffering from PCOS. A study conducted in the UK concluded that PCOS is higher in lesbians and less in women who are heterosexuals.

Gaining the right knowledge and awareness about PCOS might help you in controlling its growth by making a few changes in your lifestyle and undergoing the right treatment. Just because this disease has no cure, doesn’t mean that you need to worry. Timely check-up and proper treatment can help fight PCOS at the right stage.