PCOS Awareness Month: What you need to know about the medical condition in a post-Covid world

Every year, the world observes the month of September as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Awareness Month. It aims to improve the lives of people who have been affected by PCOS by helping them not only overcome the symptoms but also prevent and reduce the risk of the condition, according to the official website of the PCOS Awareness Month.

So, what is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome? Dr Surabhi Siddhartha, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at city-based Motherhood Hospital, explains, "PCOS is a hormonal disorder commonly seen in women of the reproductive age group. It leads to hormonal imbalances in women. The causes of PCOS can be attributed to obesity, following a sedentary lifestyle inclusive of poor eating habits and lack of exercise and genetics." About 3 out of 10 women, she says, suffer from the medical condition, and has even observed that it has increased after the pandemic.

Mid-day Online spoke to two city-based experts - Dr Siddhartha and Dr. Manjiri Mehta, consultant gynaecologist, Hiranandani Hospital to understand more about the condition and how it affects women. Siddhartha and Mehta delve into the effects and treatment while emphasising on the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle along with a well-balanced diet.

Who does it affect the most and what are the effects of suffering from PCOS?
Siddhartha: It is seen in women in the age group of 15-49 years, but nowadays a majority of teenage girls also suffer from it. Those with PCOS will exhibit symptoms such as insulin resistance, acne, and dark patches on the skin. Women detected with PCOS will also be at risk of hypertension, type-2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and infertility in later life.

Mehta: Any woman from a young girl to a lady nearing menopause can get affected by PCOS. Depending on the age group, they may suffer from irregular periods, weight gain, acne, facial hair growth, difficulty in getting pregnant and sometimes recurrent early pregnancy loss.

What is the treatment for PCOS?
Siddhartha: After a physical examination, the doctor will give the person some medication to tackle symptoms like acne and insulin resistance. Apart from medication, one will have to eat and sleep well, exercise daily, and maintain an optimum weight. Take the medication prescribed by the doctor only. Do not self-medicate.

Mehta: The treatment for PCOS is multipronged and the line of treatment is tailor-made for patients based on their medical condition. A single treatment plan is not suitable for all. Along with the treatment, a patient also requires exercise, diet and lifestyle changes too.

What are the different foods that women can and cannot consume because they suffer from PCOS?

Siddhartha: A low glycemic index (GI) diet can be beneficial for women with PCOS. So, try to opt for whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, fruits and starchy vegetables. Eat anti-inflammatory foods, such as berries, fatty fish, leafy greens, and olive oil. Swear by broccoli, cauliflower, lentils, walnuts, almonds, pistachios and spinach. Avoid junk, processed, oily and canned foods. Bid adieu to bakery items, Chinese food, pasta, pizza, French fries, namkeens, samosa, vada, energy drinks, sweets, sodas and colas.

Mehta: The dietary modifications are reducing sugar and sweets intake. Avoiding carbohydrates and consumption of junk food. Also, avoid food with high preservatives. Eating a balanced diet, more salads, fruits, and freshly cooked meals should be the way to go.

What should women suffering from PCOS keep in mind to help them deal with it while navigating everyday life?

Siddhartha: If you have PCOS, then you need to adopt healthy living. Try to exercise daily, sleep well, stay stress-free, eat food in the quantity recommended by the doctor, eat whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables. One has to take medication as suggested by the doctor without fail and monitor blood pressure and blood sugar levels at regular intervals.

Mehta: Adopting a healthy lifestyle is what should be guiding them. This includes timely eating, sleeping adequately and regular exercise. Keep a tab on menstrual cycles and timely medical consultation with the doctor.

Does previously getting infected with Covid-19 influence the health of women suffering from PCOS?

Siddhartha: Women with PCOS who were previously infected by Covid-19 should take utmost care of themselves as some may suffer from long covid symptoms such as cardiac problems, high blood pressure, shortness of breath and palpitations. Women with PCOS already fall into the high-risk category and they should follow all the precautions to minimise the risk of getting infected with Covid-19 and its side effects.

Mehta: Covid 19 infection has affected life in a lot of ways. It causes alteration in menstrual cycles, and weight gain in women and this itself can cause the PCOS balance to go off.

What are the common misconceptions about PCOS?

Siddhartha:

Myth: Women detected with PCOS are only overweight or obese

Fact: PCOS is not only seen in obese women but even in lean women. It can impact a woman of any shape and size irrespective of whether they are thin or fat. One with PCOS will not be able to lose weight very easily and may require the help of an expert.

Myths: PCOS will not raise the risk of any serious health issues

Fact: Women having unmanaged PCOS can suffer from a heart attack due to conditions like diabetes, insulin resistance, high cholesterol, and obesity. The condition can also lead to breast and even endometrial cancer. Do not ignore any signs and symptoms of PCOS and seek timely treatment to stay hale and hearty and improve your quality of life.

Mehta: The common misconception related to PCOS is that it's a simple disease, with well-understood cause and easy one-time treatment, however, it is not.

Why should one be concerned about PCOS and what signs should women look for?

Siddhartha: Try to look for signs such as the absence of menses, irregular menses, inability to get pregnant due to irregular ovulation or failure to ovulate, too much hair growth on the face, chest, back, or buttocks, weight gain, hair loss, oily skin, acne and even sleep apnea. Do not delay the diagnosis and treatment once you notice these symptoms.

Mehta: It is important to diagnose and treat PCOS as it is a metabolic disorder. It not only affects menstrual cycles but it can make you prone to skin problems like acne and pigmentations. You can also experience hair loss, weight gain, poor sugar control, hypertension, difficulty in conception, and thyroid hormone fluctuations to name a few.

Note: Women with PCOS may often suffer from stress, anxiety, depression, loneliness, irritation, or frustration if there are signs and symptoms such as excessive facial hair, infertility, or obesity. They will be unable to do their daily activities with ease. Such women should go for counselling or join support groups and speak to other women like them who are battling PCOS and learn from their experiences. Women with PCOS who are unable to conceive can also take the help of Assisted Reproductive Treatment (ARTs) such as in vitro fertilisation (IVF) and egg freezing after speaking to a fertility consultant.

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(Disclaimer: This article is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Mid-day Online does not in any way endorse the accuracy, completeness, efficacy or timeliness of any advice or line of treatment mentioned in this article. Readers must always seek the advice of a certified medical practitioner and/or a mental health professional before deciding on or starting any course of treatment.)