Let’s Raise the Flag of Awareness: World PCOS Month 2024

From common problems like acne, hair thinning, and irregular periods to more severe issues like infertility, there is one common cause behind many challenges women face: PCOS.

Many people overlook or ignore the signs and symptoms of PCOS, which leads to complications that worsen. At 9M Fertility, we often encounter cases that could have been managed more effectively if identified earlier.

PCOS & the Need for Awareness

An undiagnosed and untreated case of PCOS can result in complications, including infertility, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, heart disease, and even endometrial cancer. Fortunately, PCOS can be successfully managed, and many of the problems it causes, such as acne, hair thinning, and infertility, can be resolved with the right expert help.

However, not many people are aware of this condition and, as a result, fail to seek proper care and treatment, leading to unnecessary suffering. To raise awareness among women about PCOS and encourage them to seek prompt treatment, every year, September is designated as PCOS Awareness Month.

At 9M Fertility, we take this opportunity to improve awareness about this common yet often misunderstood condition. This blog gives a brief snapshot of PCOS, its causes, signs, symptoms, and treatment options. Read on:

What is PCOS?

PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a common hormonal disorder that usually affects women in their childbearing years. This condition happens when the ovaries produce too many male hormones, which skews their hormonal balance, leading to different types of problems both externally and internally, such as:

1. Acne, Hair Growth, & Irregular Periods: Excessive hormone production and the resulting hormonal imbalances lead to symptoms like acne, hair growth, and irregular periods. The skewed hormonal balance due to excessive androgen can trigger acne and hair growth in unwanted areas.
2. Ovulation Problems: The hormonal imbalance also leads to the formation of cysts, which are tiny fluid-filled sacs that interfere with ovulation and make it difficult for the ovaries to release an egg every month. “Formation of cysts is one of the visible signs of PCOS, but not an essential one. There can be cases of PCOS where cyst formation doesn’t happen,” says one of our gynaecologists at 9M Fertility.
3. Insulin Resistance: PCOS may also trigger insulin resistance in women, which leads to weight gain and other metabolic problems.
4. Endometrial Issues: Women with PCOS also suffer a greater risk of the endometrial lining not forming adequately, which results in implantation issues that cause pregnancy difficulties.

The overproduction of androgens that result in hormonal imbalances manifests in all the above ways, creating problems for the reproductive health of a woman. Ovulation problems, endometrial issues, and weight gain due to insulin resistance—all these factors contribute to infertility, making PCOS a cause of infertility in women.

Signs & Symptoms – How to Identify PCOS?

As noted above, PCOS can manifest in different ways in different women. While a definitive diagnosis and identification of PCOS require regular medical evaluation, one must look out for specific symptoms and signs to identify the problem at the earliest, which include:

1. Irregular or missed periods that happen consistently
2. Excessive hair growth in unwanted places like the chest, face, abdomen, and back
3. Acne and oily skin that is persistent
4. Thinning hair and difficulties in losing weight

More importantly, as noted earlier, difficulties in conception are also signs of PCOS. So, it is recommended that a gynaecologist be consulted as soon as one identifies any of the above problems.

Fortunately, PCOS can be easily managed with both lifestyle changes and medical treatment options available today. Depending on the severity of the symptoms, medical history, reproductive health, and expectations, a gynaecologist can create a tailored program to manage the condition adequately.

Treatment Options for PCOS:

The treatment for PCOS usually involves a combination of both lifestyle changes and medical treatments, which respectively are as follows:

Lifestyle Changes: Weight management to improve insulin sensitivity, a healthy diet with regular exercise for overall hormonal health, and stress management techniques like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing are some of the effective lifestyle changes that show a positive impact.

Medical Treatments: In some cases, the above lifestyle changes are augmented with medical interventions. The medical treatment for PCOS may include birth control pills to improve endometrial lining, metformin for optimized insulin sensitivity, and ovulation induction for fertility. In rare cases, surgery may also be used to remove the cysts that interfere with ovarian function.

When left undetected, PCOS, which results from a simple hormonal imbalance, can trigger a wide variety of reproductive issues. Early identification and diagnosis can be lifesaving in PCOS cases, but unfortunately, this is not always the reality.

“This is not just a problem in India but a worldwide issue. Up to 70% of women with PCOS remain undiagnosed globally and suffer its symptoms as a result,” according to our Gynaecologist in Hyderabad at 9M Fertility.

Let’s all work together to improve awareness of PCOS and spread the word to protect our loved ones from these reproductive issues. This month, let’s raise the flag of PCOS awareness and help pave the way for effective treatment.

If any of your family or friends are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above, encourage them to seek an early diagnosis and take steps to improve their reproductive health. If you are looking for PCOS consultation our PCOS specialists at 9M fertility are always ready to help. You can contact us here.