PCOS/PCOD : Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment and Symptoms

The degree of symptoms depends on the woman’s overall age, health and physiology, and lifestyle choices, as it ranges from mild to no observable symptoms. It’s a crucial factor that if a woman experiences any of these PCOS-related symptoms, they may counter a different set of symptoms than the other.

Most common PCOS/PCOD Symptoms:

• Infertility issues
• Unpredictable, extremely heavy, and irregular menstrual cycles
• Some women may have a period a few times a year or not at all.
• Excessive hair growth in the face, chest, back and abdomen due to elevated levels of the androgen hormone.
• Appearance of acne that is persistent on the face, chest and upper back
• Women with PCOS may experience weight gain or difficulty losing weight around the hip region.
• Darkening of the skin under the breasts, and on the neck and groin
• Mood swings, headaches, difficulty sleeping, or pelvic pain.
• Physical or emotional, and high-level stress.
• Perimenopause is an irregular period before transitioning into menopause.
• Medical conditions like uterine fibroids and polyps, endometriosis, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

Causes of PCOS/PCOD

There is no exact cause of PCOS, but there are several contributing factors which are interconnected and develop PCOS and its symptoms, namely hormonal imbalance, insulin resistance, genetic factors and family history, obesity, and low-grade inflammation. Higher insulin levels contribute to the overproduction of androgen (peak male hormones), which leads to ovulation problems, such as irregular ovulation, development of cysts on the ovaries, enlarged immature ovaries (polycystic ovaries), acne, and hair growth.

Here are the polycystic ovarian syndrome causes as contributing factors:

• Elevated Androgen Levels: Contribute to manifestations such as acne, hirsutism, and menstrual irregularities.
• Intense Insulin Resistance: It may result in elevated blood glucose levels and weight gain, which can subsequently augment androgen levels and exacerbate PCOS symptoms.
• Genetic Factors: The likelihood of familial transmission of PCOS increases the probability of an individual developing the condition via genetic inheritance.
• Low-grade Inflammation: Elevated levels of low-grade inflammation may be linked to diabetes or cardiovascular complications.

When to Seek a Specialist for Your PCOS Symptoms?

While PCOS is a lifelong condition that requires lifetime management, a specialist can perform blood tests and other evaluations to confirm a PCOS diagnosis and help manage symptoms through treatments, medications, and other procedures. Consult a gynecologists for any fertility and reproductive issues; an endocrinologist for any metabolic or hormonal aspects of the condition; or a dermatologist for the skin-related issues in PCOS.

• Cycles that are longer than 35 days and periods occurring at least 9 times a year.
• Periods that last longer than 7 days.
• Periods with a lag phase of more than 3 months.
• Facial hair growth, thinning of the scalp, and oily skin due to excess androgens.
• Unexplained weight gain and difficulty losing weight.
• Difficulty getting pregnant.
• Mental health issues, such as mood swings, depression, or anxiety.

Don’t wait for signs to grow severe. Consult our Gynic Specialists today.

Diagnostic Approach for PCOS/PCOD

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis demands that these criteria be present in order to consider it as PCOS.

Here’s the Specialist-approved plan:

a). Assessment through medical history and symptoms-

• Polycystic ovaries – enlarged ovaries with immature eggs in multiple fluid-filled sacs diagnosed via a pelvic ultrasonography or transvaginal ultrasound; except in adolescents, where ultrasound is not usually recommended.
• Menstrual irregularities – Chronic anovulation (persistent through irregular periods).
• Signs of any hyperandrogenism – Higher androgen levels in the body, evident from hirsutism, darkening of the skin, acne, or blood tests

b). Performing laboratory tests like androgen levels tests, thyroid hormone test, prolactin test, pregnancy test, insulin and glucose test, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone (17-OHP) test in order to rule out other conditions that mimic PCOS.

c). Conducting a physical examination.

Treatment for PCOS/PCOD

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a very common, manageable condition that does not have a specific treatment or a cure. Consult with our gynecologists, endocrinologists, and dermatologists to determine the best PCOS treatment plan and to discuss pregnancy planning, including regular check-ups and treatment adjustments.

Here are several treatment options for managing specific PCOS symptoms:

• Lifestyle modification: Maintaining a healthy diet and performing regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight.
• Medication: Medications such as metformin, androgen blockers, ovulation induction, infertility treatment, laparoscopic ovarian drilling, and hormonal birth control pills or devices may sometimes be prescribed to help regulate periods and ovulation
• Acne treatment
• Hair removal treatments, like electrolysis or laser hair removal treatments.
• Specialists prescribed iron supplements

What if PCOS/PCOD are Left Untreated?

If PCOS symptoms are left untreated for a longer period of time can lead to a heightened risk of developing long-term health complications such as:

• Metabolica and cardiovascular complications – Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease and high blood pressure.
• Reproductive and gynecological issues – Pregnancy complications like premature birth or preeclampsia, and endometrial cancer.
• Mental and other health conditions – Sleep apnea, mood disorders, or anxiety.

Have any questions or concerns about your health? We’re here to help! Call us at +918065906165 for expert advice and support.