PCOS, also known as PCOD or P-COS, affects roughly 20% of females and is one of the most prevalent hormone diseases in adolescent and adult women. More and more females are experiencing irregular periods, acne, and undesirable facial hair, all of which are exacerbated by weight difficulties. Whether it’s a trend toward cosmetic awareness or true menstruation difficulties, the truth is that they’re more aware of it as a problem that has to be addressed.
In a girl’s life, the onset of menstruation or periods marks the transition from a kid to an adult. Puberty lasts 3-4 years, during which time a person develops adult height, sexual characteristics, and finally a normal menstrual cycle.
Let’s define what it means to be “normal.” With a flow of 2-5 days, most women would have a cycle interval ranging from 24-35 days. Any variation from this would necessitate hormone testing as well as an ultrasound to check for Polycystic Ovaries. There are precise criteria for this, and any female who has irregular periods is not automatically labelled as such. So, in addition to ultrasound findings, there must be irregular extended menses and clinical or laboratory testing indicating an androgen excess.
So, what makes it so important in India?
Insulin resistance, or the body’s inability to use insulin, causes increased body fat deposition, irregular periods, and a rise in androgens, or male hormones, which are the primary underlying physiology in this syndrome complex. As the world’s diabetes capital, India has a huge population of girls and women with insulin resistance and, as a result, childhood and adult obesity. This implies we’ll see more females with weight problems, pre-diabetes, and infertility in the future, and they’ll be more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome.
As a gynaecologist who has observed this condition in people of all ages, I would encourage teenagers to participate in sports, dancing courses, and plan exciting outdoor activities rather than becoming couch potatoes. Activity increases metabolism and helps to control weight, which helps to reduce fat and excess oestrogen in the body. Any cardio for thirty minutes five times a week would be ideal.
Changes in one’s lifestyle can help to control the problem. If the problem persists, a variety of hormones (matched to the patient’s needs) can be used for cycle control, contraception, and fertility therapy. Hormonal therapy combined with mechanical hair removal treatments such as waxing, threading, epilation, laser, and so on can be used to combat unwanted hair growth.
Whatever the difficulties are, I want to emphasise that PCOS is not a condition that goes away on its own. It’s a certain body type. Once we accept it, we can concentrate on reducing the symptoms and issues that come with it. So start going and get it moving!
