This is become a very common diagnosis in young girls and women who present with a history of irregular/ prolonged/delayed periods. Not usually associated with pain.
PCOS is a genetically inherited condition and usually is linked to a family history of diabetes. It is associated with high levels of male type hormones- androgens/ testosterone and other hormonal imbalance and hence features of hirsutism which is developing male type hair pattern in female , i.e unwanted hair on chest/ face etc; tendency to develop acne and oily skin. It is also usually associated with being obese/ overweight. USG pelvis shows presence of numerous small cysts in ovary. Many women might find it difficult to conceive as because of hormonal imbalance an egg is not released every month. There is also a preopensity to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Almost all the symptoms are treatable with medicines. However as it is genetically linked and has long term health implications the single most important thing is to try and reduce weight and mantain normal BMI . This can be achieved by a combination of exercise and diet. It is important to cut down on high calorie foods like sweets, chocolates ,aerated drinks and fried stuff. Instead one should increase the amount of proteins ,mineral and vitamins in diet by increasing intake of fruits, green vegetables, low fat yoghurt ,and chicken and fish if non-vegetarian.
PCOS is a genetically inherited condition and usually is linked to a family history of diabetes. It is associated with high levels of male type hormones- androgens/ testosterone and other hormonal imbalance and hence features of hirsutism which is developing male type hair pattern in female , i.e unwanted hair on chest/ face etc; tendency to develop acne and oily skin. It is also usually associated with being obese/ overweight. USG pelvis shows presence of numerous small cysts in ovary. Many women might find it difficult to conceive as because of hormonal imbalance an egg is not released every month. There is also a preopensity to develop type 2 diabetes later in life.
Almost all the symptoms are treatable with medicines. However as it is genetically linked and has long term health implications the single most important thing is to try and reduce weight and mantain normal BMI . This can be achieved by a combination of exercise and diet. It is important to cut down on high calorie foods like sweets, chocolates ,aerated drinks and fried stuff. Instead one should increase the amount of proteins ,mineral and vitamins in diet by increasing intake of fruits, green vegetables, low fat yoghurt ,and chicken and fish if non-vegetarian.