Brinda Upadhyaya
PCOS- Polycystic ovary syndrome has become very common among women in their reproductive age and is caused due to an imbalance of hormones. Symptoms of PCOS may begin shortly after puberty or can be seen in their teen years or early adulthood.
PCOS is a condition in which ovaries start producing an abnormal amount of androgens- male reproductive hormone.
Table of Contents
What is PCOS?
As the name describes, in polycystic ovary syndrome– numerous small cysts are formed in the ovaries. Sometimes, some women with this disorder do not have cysts while some without this disorder develop cysts.
In some cases with PCOS, women can’t produce enough hormones required to ovulate. So, ovulation cannot happen and because of this, ovaries develop many small cysts. These cysts make androgen and so women with PCOS have higher levels of androgens. A higher level of male hormone androgen can disturb women’s menstrual cycle. And it causes many symptoms related to PCOS.
We have asked a nutritionist, Mrs. Brinda Upadhyaya, to throw light on PCOS, its causes, and treatments.
What Causes PCOS?
The exact cause of PCOS is still unknown. Many women with PCOS develop insulin resistance. And because of this, Insulin levels build up in the body and may cause higher androgen levels. Insulin levels are also increased by obesity and make PCOS symptoms worse.
It is also believed that PCOS can run in heredity too. You are more likely to have PCOS if your mother or sister has it. You are also more likely to have it if you have insulin resistance or are obese.
40% Indian women suffer from PCOS. And many of them don’t even know that they are suffering from it! So, today I will enlighten some of the symptoms that can be associated with PCOS. That will help to understand PCOS easily.
If you are experiencing one or more symptoms from the below list, you need to contact your gynecologist for further diagnosis.
Symptoms of PCOS
1. Irregular periods due to PCOS
People with PCOS normally suffer from irregular or missed periods as a result of not ovulating. Infrequent periods is a very common sign of PCOS.
2. Unwanted hair growth (Hirsutism) due to PCOS
Hirsutism is very common among women suffering from PCOS. Most areas affected by excess hair growth include the face, arms, back, chest, thumbs, toes, and abdomen. Hirsutism is due to the elevated levels of androgens.
3. Thinning hair On The Head due to PCOS
Hair thinning and hair loss related to PCOS is very common and affect hair quality badly.
4. Weight gain due to PCOS
More than half of people with PCOS will have weight gain and obesity issues that is very difficult to manage with a normal diet and workout.
5. Fatigue due to PCOS
Many people with PCOS experience increased fatigue and low energy levels
6. Acne due to PCOS
Hormonal changes due to high androgen levels can lead to acne problems. Male hormones can make the skin oilier and cause breakouts on areas like the face, chest, and upper back.
7. Darkening Of Skin in PCOS
Because of hormonal imbalance, some may suffer from thick, dark, velvety patches of skin underarms or breasts, or on the back of the neck.
8. Mood Changes in PCOS
PCOS can increase the possibility of mood swings, depression, and anxiety. This led to frequent complaints of severe headaches too.
9. Severe Pelvic Pain in PCOS
This is also one of the very common symptoms. Pelvic pain may occur with periods, along with heavy bleeding. It may also occur when a woman isn’t bleeding.
10. Sleep Apnea in PCOS
With sleep apnea, a person will stop breathing for short periods of time during sleep. This means that you do not feel well-rested after you wake up. You also have trouble falling asleep. This is very common with people suffering from PCOS.
11. Depression due to PCOS
Both hormonal changes and symptoms like unwanted hair growth can negatively affect your emotions. Many with PCOS end up experiencing depression and anxiety.
12. Polycystic Ovaries in PCOS
In PCOS, ovaries might enlarge and contain follicles that surround the eggs. As a result, the ovaries might fail to function regularly.
13. Infertility due to PCOS
PCOS is a leading cause of female infertility. Some people need the assistance of fertility treatments, others are able to conceive naturally.
Diagnosis of PCOS
If you feel you have some or all of these symptoms, better to check with your gynecologist. The exact cause of PCOS is still unknown. But early diagnosis and treatment along with weight loss may reduce the risk of long-term complications like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Your gynecologist will ask about your medical history and your symptoms. A doctor can also suggest some physical examinations such as Ultrasound tests and blood tests. Such tests check the health of your reproductive organs, both inside and outside your body.
- Ultrasound Test: An ultrasound test uses sound waves to create images of blood vessels, tissues, and organs. This test measures the size of the ovaries and sees if they have cysts. The test also measures the thickness of the lining of the uterus.
- Blood Tests: Blood tests are used to measure levels of androgens and other hormones. Blood tests are also done to check your blood glucose levels, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels.
General Treatment Of PCOS
Traditional treatments include some Birth control pills to cause ovulation and thus control hormonal balance. A change in diet and activity is also suggested by most doctors. But Lifestyle interventions are the best treatments for PCOS, and they often work well. Some mindful lifestyle changes worked well with my clients with PCOS. Weight loss can treat PCOS symptoms and improve the chances of getting pregnant.
Manage and Treat PCOS Naturally
1. Take Wholesome Food
Including more varieties in your diet. Add at least 5-7 different colors of fruits and vegetables in your daily routine.
2. Reduce or Limit Screen Time
This definitely affects our bodies and hormones. Avoid watching screen 1-2 hours before bed.
3. Make a proper routine
Make a proper routine for everything and follow it. If you can’t sleep properly at night for a day, don’t think that you can sleep till late and disturb your routine the next day. Wake up on time and Stick to your routine!
4. Reduce your dairy intake
It’s not 100% proved for all that dairy products stimulate hormones and can affect PCOS, but most of my clients got some good results after they reduced their dairy intake. So, reduce dairy intake- especially whole milk- have plant-based milk instead.
5. Reduce your gluten intake
And same with gluten! Reduce gluten intake. Most people suffering from PCOS are gluten intolerant and get great results when u reduce or cut gluten completely from diet.
6. Have more millets.
Definitely adding more millets gives good results. Keeps you full for longer and gluten-free!
7. Eat Local
Eat more local food and vegetables than looking for exotic ones! This doesn’t mean exotic vegetables are not good but as much as you eat local, it is more beneficial as it’s naturally harmonized with the environment.
8. Keep Moving
Definitely, exercise is most important to regulate body hormones. Focus more on physical exercise! A 45-50 minutes intense workout 4-5 times a week is really beneficial. Just a simple walk for 10 minutes doesn’t count here.
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Thanks for the information, it was need of an hour
Well researched one. Good job
The article is quite informative. Lot of woman have pcos problem and they have no information about this
Great knowledge ! I’m gonna keep coming back
I love the easy way you have explained all the symptoms great indeed
I will say it’s job well done . Very simple language used & extremely informative & I believe very relatable. Not only the article talks about problem but the good n natural solutions as well ! I enjoyed a read.
Most people dont know about pcos. Its so good that you are raising awareness
Such a detailed information in an important topic. Many women suffer from pcos but they don’t have any idea about it and your this type of informative blog helps to bring the awareness. Thank you for sharing ❤️
Darkening of skin and facial hair is one of the most prominent symptoms that is seen right in the beginning of PCOS! Very informative article
Your article on PCOS will be a life changer for women who are dealing with it right now. This is a serious issue which needs gentle attention and care. Very aptly written and summarised
This is such an important article about PCOS. We need such an articles to spread awareness about it
Thank you for sharing ❤️Most people dont know about pcos. Its so good that you are raising awareness
Very helpful article about PCOS. people must be know about all these
This article cleared out so many things that i was confused with in pcos and pcod. Definitely it turned out to be a very useful Post ❤️
The article is really insightful. Go to know so much about pcos and pcod, really detailed article it is. You cleared so many things. And also it was very well explained. Thank you for sharing and spreading more awareness about it. It is really a helpful article.
This is really helpful post my cousin sister is suffering from PCOS I will share this article with her
This is really amazing information with detailed briefing about the pcos,really helpful to many people out there.
Thanks for sharing this information.
Thats soo important article about pcos…worth sharing it
I so realised the problem untill diagnosis. I find most of the symptoms true to myself and I am undergoing treatment. Thank you for throwing some light on this topic
I love the way you have explained everything…..such a detailed writing☺️toooo good
I am suffering from PCOS and I can relate to every point you mentioned. And exercise works as a miracle so do moon cycle.
It is of so much information and I didn’t know about PCOS and this article helped me understand its meaning, its raising so much awareness.
I was suffering from PCOS and was unable to conceive due to irregular or some times no periods. But then I have done a complete change in lifestyle. PCOS is difficult but we can overcome it with a change in our lifestyle
It is sooo important to know about these symptoms. I didnt even know about this condition until i read this. Thank you so much for sharing this information and making us more aware
Well researched and organised very nicely
Very detailed & useful post on PCOS symptoms..
Was this was teally informative and good to know about facts related to PCOS. Thankyou for sharing your ❤️
This is quite informative. Dint know many things
Most of the women have pcos but they are not aware how to overcome this as there is not much awareness about this…my friend has pcos and she has got more of facial hair,her hair has become very thin and skin became dark because of this ….I am definitely going to suggest these essential points to her to overcome pcos
A very informative post about PCOS it’s so important to know these information as a female. Thank you for sharing ❤️
So deeply explained all the symptoms.. amazing article.. I loved reading it. So informative and interesting.. Great that u are spreading awareness
Most of the women have pcos but they dont know how to overcome this as there is not much awareness about it….one of my friend has pcos and the problems she is facing are skin darkening, thinning of hair and growth of facial hair …I am definitely going to suggest her these ways to overcome it
Since nobody talks about this this blog is a very helpful for those who doesn’t know what actually PCOS.
I have so many women who are suffering from PCOD or PCOS. I’ll definitely Share this blog with them. This is really informative dear thx ❤️
You have explained all of it in such a susceptible language. Thank you for sharing this informative blog dear♥
Such a helpful article for all women . ❤️
Most of us don’t know about this topic, me too don’t have knowledge much about this…thanks for sharing great piece of information
Thank you for sharing the symptoms and also it’s natural cures and prevention ❤️Thanks
my SIL got PCOS and she is conscious now while eating majorly. These are some helpful tips which I am gonna share with her, never knew about limiting the gluten
Love the tips about eating natural food to help with PCOS
What a powerful read.. very well articulated and well explained.
Kudos to you for talking on this topicthere is so much people dont know
Such a well explained article. So important ❤
Thank you for throwing light on this. Not many are aware about pcos and this makes it more difficult for them to deal with this. We should understand that if is absolutely fine and few habits and tips here can help us. Thank you for spreading awareness.
Thank you so much for raising this awareness ! People need this.
Thank for raising awareness. Very well explained in detail
PCOS is a subject which is long there in medical science and there are many who suffer from it. Some know it and some dont even know that they have this. Even those who know it feel shy to talk about it as if its a curse. But happy to see such blogs which are making effort to educate females.
Thanks a lot for this information on pcod
Wow. Very well written. Its such a detailed article on the most common problem women face nowadays. I learnt a lot from this. Thanks
Wow. Very well written. Its such a detailed article on the most common problem women face nowadays. I learnt a lot from this. Thanks
These are some very simple tips to manage pcos! Never knew about gluten
This is such a helpful article related PCOD, it’s a common problem in these days, healthy diet plan helpful for overcome
Something related to current situation of pcod, n watching this… Appreciated. A perfect content ✔️✔️
Thanks for the information, I didn’t know that screen time can affect PCOS conditions..
Very informative topic
It’s really a very informative article on PCOS
It’s really very good article on pcos problem
Loved the way you have explained it
Such an informative post and good to know about facts related to PCOS. Thankyou for sharing ❤
PCOS is a set of symptoms related to hormonal imbalance.
Loved the way you have explained it. It’s a common problem in these days, healthy diet plan helpful for overcome.
I seriously sometimes get scared of PCOS … but u have explained so nicely .. cleared my thoughts . Thanks
Pcos is definitely on teh rise and the pandemic indeed pushed many women into this condition due to stress. These tips would . definitely help in lessening the symptoms and help in treating
Good read! Being one of those who don’t know much about PCOS, this article was very informative. Health is something we should always put as a priority in life.
PCOS was the cause I couldn’t get pregnant, It was hard but I have now 3 kids, love your post, I wish I could read this article long time ago. So helpful!!!
Am sharing this with a friend who I know will benifit from this read ❤️
Hello, you have covered all the points. Even I have same covered article..I must say, it is a well researched article and need to be shared more.
These tips are really helpful. Pcos is so common nowadays. I think this article will be helpful for so many people❤️
Pcos is so evident these days !! Good u threw some light on it !! People are still very ignorant towards it !!
Ty for sharing about PCOS this is really informative and helpful for people suffering from PCOS
This is very nice information on pcos cause and treatment
Regards
Dietitian Vidhi
Thank you very much for your love for the post! Please feel free to connect with me if you need any help related PCOS or any help regarding health management. 🙂
Honestly I love your articles and this is of great knowledge. This is a very common problem in women nowadays and its great to know about it.