Be aware about PCOS, its symptoms and complications it can cause

Dr Durga G Rao
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone disorder in women that is also the leading cause of female infertility, but many women are not aware of the problem.  To raise awareness about it, September is observed as PCOS Awareness month. The increasing number of PCOS cases is predominantly seen in the age group 15 to 30 years. Among the samples tested, East India shows alarming levels of 25.88 per cent women affected by PCOS, followed by 18.62 per cent in North India, which can be largely attributed to the lack of awareness among young women and ignorance. We encourage you to be more conscious of your body. Here are some of the most frequent PCOS symptoms:

Irregular or Absent Menstrual Cycle
A doctor’s appointment is required if you have less than six menstrual periods in a year.

Difficulty Getting Pregnant
Women with PCOS have a hard time staying pregnant, which leads to miscarriages.

Hirsutism
Hirsutism is the term for excessive hair growth on the face and body. One of the symptoms of PCOS is this.

Depression/ Anxiety
When compared to women without PCOS, women with the illness had much greater rates of sadness and anxiety. This is due to the severe hormonal imbalance that causes PCOS in the first place.

Weight Gain
PCOS affects the body’s metabolism and promotes insulin resistance. As a result, excess weight is a prevalent side effect of PCOS.

Male pattern hair loss, acne, skin tags, excessive cholesterol levels, weariness or lack of mental alertness, and diminished sex drive are some of the other symptoms.

Pregnancy Complications with PCOS/ PCOD

It is a common misconception that women with PCOS are unable to conceive naturally. Some women become pregnant as a result of their natural cycle. Pregnant women with PCOS, on the other hand, have an increased chance of developing certain diseases.

Miscarriage
Women with PCOS have a higher rate of miscarriage than women without the condition. Although the exact cause is unknown, it appears that hormonal irregularities present in women with PCOS can trigger a miscarriage.

Gestational Diabetes
Women with PCOS are more likely to develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy since many of them are insulin resistant. Gestational diabetes is a kind of diabetes that develops in the second half of pregnancy and often disappears once the baby is born. If left untreated, this can result in a larger-than-normal baby, early birth, and a higher risk of caesarean section.

Pre-eclampsia
Pre-eclampsia is a type of high blood pressure caused by pregnancy that usually arises in the second half of the pregnancy. The placenta doesn’t get enough blood in pre-eclampsia, so it can’t give enough oxygen and nourishment to the foetus. This can cause the baby to be born with a low birth weight and other health issues.

Preterm Delivery
Preterm birth, defined as a baby born before 37 weeks of pregnancy, is a serious danger for a woman with PCOS. 

Dr Durga G Rao is Co-Founder &
Medical Director, Oasis Fertility