Dr.Anita Mani
***Infertility& Surrogacy Specialist at Gift IVF Centre
Life style changes for PCOS
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the common reason for sub fertility in women.It is associated with metabolic disorders and is very much a life style disorder.Human body was originally engineered to be physically active , but with the modern life style, there is minimum physical exertion, with free availability of rich calorific food without any nutritional value.Both of these factors add up and results in metabolic disorder and high insulin levels in blood.
PCOS is commonly found in families with diabetes mellitus .The body develops insulin resistance and alters hormones, like LH ,FSH , which in turn affects normal menstrual cycle in women .High levels of male hormone androgens are secreted.Follicles often get arrested half way in development and doesn't develop into mature follicles that release eggs.If ovulation doesn’t happen, the normal menstrual cycle is disturbed leading to irregularities or absence of monthly periods.
Patient’s symptoms and appearance can be suggestive.Blood test for LH and FSH ratio is done, which is raised in PCOS.
Symptoms of PCOS are
a.Irregular or absence of menstruation
b.Excessive hair growth
c.Acne, oily skin
d.Weight gain, obesity ( thin PCOS is also quite common )
e.Lethargy
f.Hair fall, male pattern baldness
g.Difficulty in conceiving
Vaginal ultra sound scan will show the typical pearl necklace pattern (multiple follicles arranged in the periphery of ovary) .
Treatment for PCOS
There is no cure for PCOS, but it can be controlled.Treatment depends on whether you want to get pregnant or not.Insulin resistance and obesity are two primary causes for PCOS.Healthy diet and regular exercise can definitely help.Reducing weight in obese women has been often found effective in tackling PCOS.A number of obese women who lost 5 to 10 percent of their body weight were found to start ovulating regularly.Yoga is also extremely helpful in controlling PCOS.Metformin used to treat diabetes, can help regulate ovulation in some women.Intake of birth control pills can regulate periods, control release of male hormones.
Fertility medicines like clomiphene and gonadotropins can help women to conceive and up to 20 % success can be achieved with medical treatment.Laparoscopic ovarian drilling can give success of around 60% , and is very useful in cases of sub fertility .If the above treatments does not work, there are assisted reproductive techniques like IVF and surrogacy , which can help you start a family.
