PCOS: Symptoms, Treatments, and Key Facts You Need to Know

PCOS: Symptoms, Treatments, and Key Facts You Need to Know

PCOS: Symptoms, Treatments

PCOS is a hormonal and Metabolic condition that affects women of child bearing age 15-44 years.

What predominantly occurs is that there’s an increase in the male hormone which is androgen commonly known as testosterone which leads to all the problems in PCOS. There is disruption in normal hormonal cyclic changes that occur in a normal woman that menstruate regularly.

Essentially there is anovulation .i.e. the ovary is not able to release one egg per cycle leading to chronic anovulation. PCOS is in consequence of chronic anovulation and this leads to irregular cycles.

PCOS affects 5 to 10% of woman in childbearing age, it can be diagnosed for Woman in their 20s or any time after puberty.

It is a genetic condition that means if your mother or sister has it you will have an increased risk of having it. Your risk also increases if you are overweight.

Let's understand how a girl normally menstruates, one who is not PCOS and one who is ovulating. The pituitary hormone called FSH is released this FSH stimulates the ovary to form one follicle which has an egg. Every month one follicle is selected, this follicle grows to about 20 mm. When this follicle is mature .i.e. 20 mm LH is released from pituitary and this causes ovulation. If after ovulation the egg meets the sperm, pregnancy occurs. The dominant follicle then converts into a corpus luteum, which secrets progesterone which makes the lining of the uterus, i.e. the endometrium more thicker and secretetory in nature and preparing it for pregnancy.

If the sperm Does not meet an egg, i.e. if pregnancy does not occur then there is fall in estrogen and progesterone, which causes a withdrawal and this leads to menstruation, which is shredding of the endometrium. This happens every month every cycle from the time of menarche to menopause releasing one egg per month. In PCOS due to hormonal imbalance ovulation does not happen every month. The FSH is unable to select one dominant follicle, so many small follicles grow and this leads to the typical appearance of multiple fluid filled cysts in the periphery of the ovary leading to increase in the size and volume of the ovary and it's typical polycystic appearance.

The LH also is high  in these women which leads to an increase in the androgen i.e. the male hormone which leads to problems of acne, excessive hair fall, excess of facial and body hair. Also because there is no regular cyclic changes of estrogen and progesterone, menstruation does not occur regularly. Other symptoms may also be inability to conceive, male pattern balding, thinning of hair on the scalp, excessive weight, gain difficulty to lose weight. Because there is associated insulin resistance they can have gestation diabetes, type II diabetes in the future they can also have an increase of ischaemic heart disease, cardiovascular disease hypertension and dyslipidemia leading to high cholesterol.

There is also abnormal uterine bleeding because these women do not menstruate regularly. There is an increased unchecked growth of the endometrium which causes it to grow thicker unchecked causing endometrial hyperplasia and this also has an increased risk of endometrial carcinoma. These women also have an increased risk of depression, anxiety and eating disorders. And because of obesity, they also may have associated sleep apnea. If you have any of the earlier mentioned symptoms you must visit your gynecologist, they will perform certain blood tests to check androgens in your blood and also certain hormonal test are done like prolactin and thyroid which may also cause irregular periods. FSH and LH ratios are performed and an ultrasound is performed to check the appearance of ovaries, polycystic ovaries typically have cysts at the periphery, their volume is large and stromal hyperplasia.

To check for any insulin resistance, there are tests that are performed which are the blood sugars the glucose tolerance the fasting insulin levels and glycosylated hemoglobin, the AMH .i.e. the anti mullerian hormone is another test which detects the ovarian reserve of a women and it has been a biomarker in detecting PCOS. AMH is increased in these women.

PCOS is seen in obese women and in lean women, PCOS in obese women is managed by mainly lifestyle modification - a healthy diet and a regular exercise schedule, minor changes in the diet like decreasing your calories intake reducing your overall carbohydrate intake a high protein diet may be effective. Certain diets like to Keto or intermittent fasting to reduce the weight over a short period of time and then regularly having a normal healthy diet is extremely important, a good exercise routine which is regular is very important which includes HIIT high-intensity interval training and a lot of cardio and fat burning exercises.

Also metformin is a drug which is an insulin sensitizer, which can be added if there is associated insulin resistance in these women however metformin does not replace the lifestyle modification healthy diet and exercise. Other insulin sensitizer like myo inositol andanti-gyroinositol which are antioxidants can also be used.

The acne, excessive facial hair citizen and scalp hair thinning we need additional advice from a dermatologist however oral contraceptives and anti-androgens are the mainstay of treatment. If irregular periods are predominantly the complain, oral contraceptives are preferred if you do not wish to conceive if you wish to conceive you can take cyclic progesterone every 4 to 6 weeks to get your periods regularly.

For women that have inability to conceive treatments that can be offered, weight loss of even 5% to 10% can induce ovulation in these women. So always begin with weight loss and lifestyle modification, additionally oral ovulogens drugs like Letrozole additionally adding gonadotropinand can help in induced ovulation in these women and these can be performed with either timed intercourse or an intra uterine semination to increase the chances of pregnancy. If IUI does not work these woman can be offered In vitro fertilization, at our centre we perform IVF cycles using the Freeze all technique for PCOS women that is we give the trigger using anagonist and freeze all the embryos which prevents almost by hundred percent chances of OHSH in women who have PCOS.

Don’t fall for any gimmicky sites and products trying to say if you do this, your PCOS will get cured. There’s no permanent cure for PCOS, visit a gynaecologist and with lifestyle changes and/or some medication, PCOS symptoms can be kept in check !

Dr. Aditi Tandon

MS Obgy

FAQ

What is PCOS and how does it affect women?

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a hormonal disorder affecting women, causing irregular periods and higher male hormone levels, which can lead to symptoms like acne, excessive hair growth, and fertility issues.

What are the signs of PCOS?

Common signs include irregular menstrual cycles, excessive facial or body hair, weight gain, acne, and thinning hair or male-pattern baldness.

How is PCOS diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves a review of medical history, blood tests to check hormone levels, ultrasounds of the ovaries, and possibly tests for insulin resistance.

What treatment options are available for PCOS?

Treatment often includes lifestyle changes (diet and exercise), medications like birth control pills or metformin, and fertility treatments like ovulation induction or IVF.

Can PCOS be cured?

PCOS cannot be cured, but symptoms can be managed through treatment and lifestyle changes to reduce long-term health risks.

Our Blog

Recent Articles and News

PCOS: Symptoms, Treatments, and Key Facts You Need to Know

PCOS is a hormonal and Metabolic condition that affects women […]

04 Jun 22

Everything you Need to know about an IUI in Fertility

IUI is a simple form of fertility treatment where motile […]

06 Aug 22

Our Services

Fertility Treatment / IUI

We are happy to have treated more than 20,000 couples with fertility issues. IUI is simple treatment for couples with unexplained Infertility, PCOS, early endometriosis Know More

IVF Treatment

Indicated in couples with tubal blockage, repeated failed IUI and endometriosis. Results range across 40 -50% at our centre Know More

ICSI Treatment

Treatment of choice for male infertility with very low sperm count, obstructive azoospermia and for coupes requiring donor eggs. Know More

Fertility Preservation

Many young men and women have utilized our fertility preservation services in the form of sperm, egg and embryo freezing either for medical or social reasons Know More

Maternity Care

More than 3000 women have delivered at our centre. They have had an exceptional experience in antenatal care, delivery and postnatal care. Know More

Laparoscopy

We have been performing all Gynaec surgeries through Laparoscopy for the past 25 years. Advantages are it is safe, less painful Know More

Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy has many advantages over traditional D & C. We are equipped with small telescope to diagnose and treat pathologies inside the uterine cavity Know More

Fibroids

Fibroid causes infertility, pain and excessive menstrual blood loss. They can be operated through Laparoscopy or Hysteroscopy Know More

Endometriosis

Endometriosis causes infertility and painful periods. Best treatment is initiated by Laparoscopy surgery and drugs Know More

Hysterectomy

We have been performing laparoscopic hysterectomy for the past 25 years. It is a definitive treatment for heavy menstrual bleeding, fibroids, cancer Know More

Ectopic

Ectopic is a condition where the pregnancy gets implanted in the fallopian tube instead of the uterine cavity. We have operated many cases laparoscopically Know More

Post-menopausal Bleeding

Hysteroscopy helps in evaluating the cause of Postmenopausal bleeding Know More

Our Doctors

Dr. Sudha Tandon

MD. DGO.,

Gynaec Endoscopy Surgeon Fertility and IVF Consultant

Dr. Aditi Tandon

M.S. Obgy,

Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine and IVF (London), Minimal Access Surgery and Ultrasound

Dr. Amrita Tandon

MS, DNB Obgy,

Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine and IVF (London), Minimal Access Surgery and Ultrasound

Feedback of our Patients

Follow Us On

Request Appointment

Submit

Any Queries?

What is infertility ?

If the couple has regular intercourse, does not use any contraception and still does not conceive within one year, they are said to be infertile. 80-85% of the couples conceive within one year of unprotected intercourse i.e. without the use of any contraceptive. However, the rest 15-20 % who are unable to conceive naturally are said to be infertile and these would require proper evaluation and help for getting pregnant.

Does fertility depend on age?

Yes, in a woman fertility does depend on her age. A young woman is naturally more fertile as she has more number of good quality eggs than a woman who is 35 +. Hence a woman who is 35 + should not wait for a long period for a natural conception and should seek help from a proper fertility expert. Also the chance of genetic abnormalities and medical complications like Hypertension and Diabetes increases with age.

When should a couple seek medical help for infertility?

If the woman is below 35 years and has normal menstrual periods, and the couple has tried for a conception for a year with a frequency of sexual intercourse 3-4 times a week during the fertile period and has yet not conceive, then they need to consult an Infertility expert.

How does body weight, diet & exercise affect fertility?

For increasing the chance of pregnancy, balanced body weight of the woman would be beneficial. Being obese or grossly underweight affects the maturation of eggs in the woman and hence may affect her fertility. Also, a grossly obese woman would have mechanical difficulty in having normal sexual relations. Regular, moderate exercise especially in the form of yogasanas, walking, swimming, or jogging prove beneficial for fertility. It has been observed that strenuous form of exercises for example jogging over 3 miles a day can hamper ovulation and hence may lead to decrease in fertility in the woman. Balanced and nutritious diet help increase the chances of conception and ensure proper growth of the fetus.

Is stress a major factor in infertility?

Chronic stress may interfere with the ovulation, may decrease the sexual desire and hence affect the frequency of sexual intercourse in the couple.

How would one know the cause of infertility?

A detailed history of both partners is very helpful in giving a clue to the cause of infertility. For e.g. anovulation is the cause of infertility in a woman who has irregular periods and who is also obese, blocked fallopian tubes in a woman with previous history of pelvic infection, low sperm count in a man with past history of mumps. Examination of both the partners, and getting the required investigations would give a complete picture.

What are the most stressful stages of IVF?

A natural conception is obviously what all couples desire and wish when they plan a pregnancy but when it does not happen and the couple is counselled for an IVF treatment, it creates lots of stress for them.

The most stressful part is the acceptance of the fact that IVF is the only best option for their problem. A good discussion with the doctor to understand about Human Reproduction and why IVF is the best option for them to conceive will help the couple .They should take their time to understand about what the treatment involves and always ask questions to get their doubts cleared. A session with the counsellor would definitely help. Speaking to friends and family who are knowledgeable is a good way to reduce the stress but at times it could be counterproductive especially if they only talk of the problems and are themselves not positive.

In an IVF treatment, the woman’s eggs and her partner‘s sperms are fertilised in a laboratory. To get her eggs, she needs to take hormonal Injections on a daily basis and at the same time every day. This could create some stress especially if she is in a demanding job. It is best that she confides in someone who is reliable and understands the intricacies of an IVF treatment. The best part is that these Injections are not painful as very fine needles are used and she could also self-administer it.

She needs to see her fertility specialist for the follicular tracking for about 4-5 times in a cycle. This could also be demanding and stressful. She should just take all this in her stride and not get unduly stressed. The follicular response may not be satisfactory especially in a woman with poor ovarian reserve and she could become stressed.

She could have stress on the day of egg retrieval because of the fear of pain but this is a small procedure which is done under safe anaesthesia. The procedure is done through the vagina and there are no cuts on her abdomen. This is simple and safe procedure, not painful. At times the male partner gets stressed and is unable to give his semen sample on the day of egg pickup. To avoid this problem, almost all fertility centres will freeze the semen sample beforehand as a backup.

Of course the other stressful point is to worry about the numbers and quality of eggs got at the time of pickup, the fertilization of the eggs, and the numbers of good quality embryos. All these are important form success point of view. A communication with the couple before the procedure will allay all their fears and will go a long way in taking care of the stress.

The most important step in IVF Treatment

The most important step in IVF is Embryo transfer for which the woman should relax. Generally it is done without anaesthesia. The woman‘s cooperation is so very important for favourable results.

After the embryo transfer one has to wait for about 10 days to know the results. It could be very stressful at this stage. She should try to be calm and not just keep thinking of the results. After the embryo transfer the woman has to use either progesterone vaginal tablets or Injections and the stress of finances adds to the stress of procedure.

All in all we do understand the stress that the couple undergoes for an IVF treatment cycle. Have trust in your doctor and you would definitely become a successful.

At our IVF Clinic in Mumbai and IVF centre in Navi Mumbai, we spend quite a lot of time to make you feel comfortable. Our entire support staff and our embryologist are in constant touch with the couple. We try to see that you do not have to wait for too long to see the doctor. We have all facilities of Hysteroscopy/ Laparoscopy / IVF treatment and Maternity at Dr Sudha Tandon centre and we take utmost care of our patients.

Mumbai Centre
Dr. Sudha Tandon's Fertility & IVF Center

4th Floor, Gagangiri Complex 18th Road, Near Dr. Ambedkar Udyan Chembur (E). Mumbai 400 071.

+91 91676 80410 / 022 25260390 / 022 25260391

Navi Mumbai Centre
Dr. Sudha Tandon's Fertility & IVF Center

6, Archana CHS, Gr. Floor, Sector 17, Plot No. 18, Vashi, Navi Mumbai 400 703.

+91 98330 44930 / 022 27802188