Mar 172022

Top 5 Myths About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Top 5 Myths About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

In the past decade, the number of women suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) has increased drastically. It has become one of the most common hormonal problems faced by women today. Almost one in every five Indian women suffers from PCOS. This hormonal disorder is very common among women belonging to the reproductive age bracket. There are a lot of Multispeciality hospitals in Goa that you can go to for a consultation. Of all the hospitals in Mapusa, Vision Multispeciality Hospital has the best doctors in Goa. Armed with a team of experts specializing in the field of gynecology it is the elite hospital for your consultation. 

PCOS is a lifestyle disease that involves problems like irregular periods, scanty menstrual flow, acne, excess body hair, weight gain caused due to Polycystic bulky ovaries (PCOD), hormonal imbalance including high insulin resistance and excess of male hormones in the body. There’s a lot of misinformation floating about PCOS due to the incorrect depiction of it in movies, TV and on the Internet. 

Below are some common myths about PCOS that we will be debunking.

PCOS is reversible

There is no cure for PCOS, the treatment is aimed at managing symptoms. A wide range of treatment options can help regulate PCOS. The most common is implementing changes in your lifestyle, such as healthy eating and exercising regularly, which in turn changes the way the body uses insulin. Birth control pills can also be used as they can regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce androgen levels. They should always be taken after consulting with a doctor as they can increase the risk of blood clots, especially in obese patients and women over 40.

Women with PCOS can’t get pregnant 

PCOS is a common but treatable cause of infertility in women. The hormonal imbalance interferes with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries thus interfering with ovulation and makes conceiving more difficult. Consulting a fertility specialist and getting on a treatment plan can help one get pregnant, both naturally or after fertility treatments.

PCOS affects only overweight women

It’s true that obesity can make PCOS symptoms worse and that it leads to a sudden gain in weight. However, PCOS is a lifestyle disorder and can affect women of all shapes and sizes. The body’s inability to process insulin leads to weight gain. By maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly one can keep the weight in check.

Women with irregular Menstrual Cycle have PCOS

There are so many causes of an irregular cycle, PCOS being only one of them. There are various causes for an irregular cycle like breastfeeding, extreme dieting or over-exercising, pelvic inflammatory disease, uterine fibroids, thyroid disorders, stress, etc. A normal cycle is anywhere from 21 to 35 days. If the cycle is less than 22 days or greater than 34 days long, then the doctor can run tests and perform a sonogram to find the root cause of the problem.

Woman With PCOS must use birth control pills

Combination birth control in the form of a pill, ring, or patch is the most popular and recommended form of treatment for PCOS prescribed by doctors. If you’re unable to take the combination pill or use other combination methods, your doctor may recommend the progestin-only pill. It is not necessary to use birth control pills to treat PCOS as long as you maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.