PCOS is a very common health condition which can affect any girl who has reached puberty. Since PCOS is a common problem there are also many misconceptions that are prevalent regarding this condition. A large majority of women are still misinformed and unaware about the complications that can happen as a result of leaving the condition untreated. And this article is written with the intention of sharing some valuable knowledge about PCOS Treatment, which needs to be passed onto every woman.
Table of Contents
Understanding What PCOS Is
The first thing that comes to our mind when we hear the word PCOS, is irregular periods and infertility. But PCOS is much more than that. Irregular periods and reduced fertility are often seen in PCOS patients. But there is much more to it which often goes ignored. The roots of PCOS are much deeper than what it seems on the surface and we need to understand the condition well in order to deal with it effectively.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal disorder or more precisely an endocrine disorder. In this condition a woman’s ovaries will have small cysts on the outer edges and they may even appear enlarged. The root cause of PCOS is the hormonal imbalance. Usually every female’s body will produce a small amount of androgen which is a male hormone. But when an excess amount of male hormone is produced in a female’s body, it disrupts her menstrual cycle and leads to many other symptoms as well.
The clinical diagnosis is done by discussing the patient’s symptoms, blood tests to check their hormone levels and an ultrasound scan to see the presence of cysts in ovaries. Based on a study, 70% of women with PCOS remain undiagnosed for a long period of time. Because many women are still unaware of the symptoms that indicate a possibility of PCOS, they tend to brush it off until it leads to major health complications.
Common Symptoms of PCOS
- Irregular menstrual cycle causing delayed or missed periods.
- Unwanted weight gain, especially an increase in belly fat.
- Male pattern hair loss and hair growth in body parts where men usually have hair.
- Skin problems like acne and oily skin.
- Fatigue.
- Frequent mood swings.
One fact about PCOS is that women often get a diagnosis for PCOS only when they have trouble getting pregnant. But the condition must have been there from their teenage or early twenties. So, it is highly recommended to visit a doctor at the earliest for anyone who is experiencing these symptoms.
Causes of PCOS
The exact cause of PCOS is yet unknown. However, the hormonal disorder can be attributed to genetics to some extent. But it has a lot more to do with our diet and lifestyle. The hormonal imbalance can be a result of unhealthy eating habits and lifestyle. Thus, PCOS is considered to be a lifestyle disorder affecting females in reproductive age. But PCOS does not go away with menopause, the patient will need to manage it throughout their life.
Treatment for PCOS
In the early days, there was still a lack of awareness regarding the condition. And doctors used to prescribe birth control pills for regulating the menstrual cycle or pills that can reduce the androgen levels in a female’s body. These treatment plans are still being practiced but the results achieved through these measures are often temporary. The symptoms may fade for a brief period of time but the root cause is still not addressed. Hence, your symptoms may return again.
That is why modern medicine has started to treat PCOS like a lifestyle disorder that needs to be managed with lifestyle modifications. Previously, PCOS was seen as a gynecological disorder only. But the symptoms and complications of PCOS are not limited to trouble getting pregnant.
Untreated PCOS can make way for further health complications which includes:
- Higher risk of type 2 diabetes
- Higher risk of high blood pressure
- Risk of heart problems
- Increased risk of endometrial cancer
Gynecologist or Endocrinologist?
Since PCOS can affect multiple organs and involves a hormonal imbalance, it was also included in the category of endocrine disorders. And gynecologists often suggest their patients with PCOS to visit an endocrinologist for getting specialized treatment for the hormonal imbalance. So, visiting an endocrinologist for your PCOS would be the right thing to do.
PCOS Management Programs
Nowadays, the treatment plans for PCOS are not heavily dependent on contraceptives or other medications. Instead they try to tackle the root cause of the issue by fixing your eating habits and lifestyle. PCOS patients often deal with obesity and the first step in the treatment plan would be losing the excess weight. Many PCOS treatment centers have dieticians and clinical nutritionists who will recommend a personalized diet plan for patients.
This diet plan will be focused on eliminating all the unhealthy items from your menu which includes processed sugar, refined carbohydrates, fast food and more. Your diet will be customized to suit your needs and condition. Basically the focus would be to encourage the consumption of healthy and nutrition-rich food on a daily basis.
They may also suggest exercise routines to improve physical activity which would aid in weight loss and also help in regulating hormone levels naturally. Getting enough sleep and reducing your stress levels would also be a part of the treatment plan as lack of sleep and increased level of stress can worsen the symptoms of PCOS. In short, PCOS management will become a lot easier when you take action based on the advice from an endocrinologist, dietician and lifestyle coach.
Now let’s have a look at three of the top treatment centers that you can consider for getting personalized care and treatment for PCOS.
Top Three Treatment Centres for PCOS
- Gini Health: Gini Health is one of the best wellness centers in Mohali and has been making a buzz due to their lifestyle oriented treatment plan for patients dealing with chronic health problems like diabetes, hypertension, thyroid dysfunction, PCOS and more. Their treatment plan for PCOS is also based on diet and lifestyle modifications. They have renowned Endocrinologist Dr.Anil Bhansali along with other specialists. They also have dieticians and lifestyle coaches to provide personalized diet plans and advice to each patient. They also provide online consultation facilities for patients who are from Delhi NCR.
- Max Healthcare: Max Healthcare is a well-known healthcare provider providing treatment to many chronic health conditions. They have branches in Mohali, Delhi and some other regions as well. They also provide a comprehensive treatment plan for PCOS and have several experienced endocrinologists and nutritionists for providing personalized treatment to patients. This includes experts like Dr.Neeru Gera, Dr. Geeta Buryok and more.
- Fortis Healthcare: They have treatment centers in various regions including Mohali and Delhi. They have well-known Endocrinologist Dr.Gagan Priya and Dr.Kiran in their team. And they also provide a personalized treatment plan for PCOS patients.
PCOS is a complex condition which often goes undiagnosed and untreated. But leaving the condition untreated would cause a major threat to your health later on. Hence anyone who is standing at a risk of PCOS should not hesitate in getting themselves checked to proceed with the treatment plan. Like famous motivational speaker Denis Waitley said “Time and health are two precious assets that we don’t recognize and appreciate until they have been depleted.” So, take your time to care for your health. The time that you invest for the betterment of your health will give you more time in future to live your life to the fullest.