PCOS – Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, And Treatment

PCOS is a complex disorder because there are so many symptoms, and you do not have to have them all to be diagnosed. Only a small percentage of women have a similar set of symptoms, and those symptoms might change over time.

In India, more than a million individuals are diagnosed with PCOS each year, but if you look deeper, you will see a troubling trend. Many diagnoses are incorrectly labeled as PCOS when they are actually caused by stress or a poor lifestyle. If you have been diagnosed with this disorder, it is critical to understand whether you have been appropriately assessed.

Please visit Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, the founder of Babies & Us Fertility IVF & ICSI Center, a world-class IVF clinic in Mumbai, for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

There are numerous symptoms associated with the illness, and it is not necessary that you will experience all of them. It is not uncommon for women to take months, if not years, to realize they have this problem.

The following are some of the most common indications and symptoms of PCOS:

• Hirsutism, a condition where you have unwanted hair growth on your face (usually chin), stomach, breasts, or thumbs and toes, among other places.

• Thinning or balding hair that may worsen as you become older.
• Acne or greasy skin (although similar skin issues can occur even without PCOS).
• Acanthosis nigricans, a condition that causes the skin to become dark, thick, and velvety, usually under your breasts or arms, your nape (back of your neck), and groin area.
• Lack of sleep or a constant sense of exhaustion even though you have slept enough (sleep apnea).
• Headaches caused by hormonal imbalances.
• Heavy and frequent periods.
• Irregular periods where you do not get periods for a few months.
• Irregular periods further lead to trouble getting pregnant.
• Gaining excess weight which worsens the overall PCOS symptoms.

If you have any of the mentioned symptoms, please consult with Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, an eminent gynecologist in Mumbai, for the possible causes and treatment options.

What causes PCOS?

Doctors do not know for sure why certain women get PCOS. High quantities of male hormones, they believe, inhibit the ovaries from generating hormones and developing eggs correctly.

If your sibling or mother has PCOS, you are also more prone to have it. It could also be linked to issues that cause your body to create too much insulin, which can interfere with your ovaries’ capacity to ovulate (release eggs).

Excess testosterone production has been associated with genes, hormonal imbalance, inflammation, and insulin resistance.

How is PCOS diagnosed?

A single test cannot determine the condition of polycystic ovaries.

1. Mumbai’s accomplished fertility specialist, Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, will ask about your family and medical history, your menstruation pattern (irregular, heavy, or nonexistent), symptoms, and, if applicable, weight gain.
2. Excess body or facial hair, problems getting pregnant, thinning hair on your scalp, regions of thick and darker skin, acne, and insulin resistance will all be evaluated.
3. Pelvic Examination: A pelvic exam examines the reproductive organs manually for anomalies, protrusions, or lumps. This can also help the doctor determine if you have endometriosis which is causing your menstrual cycles to be heavy or irregular.
4. Hormone tests: A blood test can assess your hormonal health and reveal whether or not PCOS is the cause of monthly irregularities.
5. Ultrasound: The form and size of the ovaries and how thick the uterine lining is can be shown using a transvaginal ultrasound. A wand-shaped device is introduced into the vaginal canal to do the ultrasound. The visuals are then projected depending on sound waves.
6. Additional Examinations: Although not always essential, Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, among the leading IVF specialists in Mumbai, may decide if a series of further tests are necessary for you. You may be given testing for cholesterol, glucose tolerance, and triglyceride levels in addition to your baseline blood tests. Anxiety, depression, and sleep apnea may also be examined.

How is PCOS treated?

At Babies & Us, our fertility specialists tailor the treatment based on your age, condition and symptoms, and desire to conceive.

They may recommend medications and dietary changes, such as decreasing 5 – 10% of your body weight, which can help increase the medication’s effectiveness and improve your fertility.

Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, often referred to as the best PCOS doctor for PCOS treatment in Mumbai, may prescribe diabetic medicines, a non-hormonal strategy for treating PCOS, in order to regulate your ovulation, lessen insulin resistance, and aid weight loss.

He may also prescribe progestin and estrogen-containing oral hormonal contraceptives to help you normalize your periods. They aid in treating acne, excessive hair growth, excessive bleeding, and the prevention of endometrial cancer.

Conclusion

Hormone imbalances can have a variety of effects on a woman’s health. Infertility, sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome, and endometrial cancer are all risks associated with PCOS. Hormonal changes and symptoms such as undesired hair growth can have a detrimental impact on your mood. Depression and anxiety are common side effects of PCOS.

PCOS can also make it increasingly challenging to conceive and raise your chances of miscarriage and pregnancy difficulties. Losing weight and doing other treatments can help you have a healthy pregnancy.

If you or a loved one has PCOS or symptoms of this condition, please contact Dr. Hrishikesh Pai, a top-notch fertility specialist in Mumbai, at the earliest. With over 35 years of expertise in infertility management, Dr. Hrishikesh Pai is committed to providing safe, reliable, and effective treatments.