PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) was rarely heard of, about two decades ago, but slowly it has become one of the most common gynecological conditions affecting women. Ask any gynaec and they’ll tell you that each day they come across almost five such cases.
In fact, a recent study conducted by Metropolis Healthcare revealed that about 18 per cent of women in India suffer from this condition. This pan-India research that studied 27,411 samples of testosterone, over a period of 18 months, found out that 4,824 (17.60 per cent) women face hormonal-associated risk with PCOS. This was predominantly seen among women in the child-bearing age group of 15 to 30 years. The results also showed an alarming level of 25.88 per cent women affected by PCOS in the East, followed by 18.62 per cent in North India. The study also went to attribute this rise to the lack of awareness and ignorance among young women.
What so many of us don’t realise is that the symptoms of PCOS may seem minor and manageable in the beginning and thus they are often ignored, but in the long run it could cause infertility, among many other problems. Don’t be one of these women; choose to catch the symptoms as soon as you can. Watch out for these signs of PCOS. And if you find yourself checking a ‘yes’ for more than half of the below-mentioned symptoms, it’s time to pay the doctor a visit.
Weight gain, especially around the waist area: Generally, women with PCOS tend to gain a lot of weight around the waist and hips. They also find that losing weight is a lot more difficult when you have this condition.
Pelvic pains: These pains are very similar to the pain you have during menstruation. Women with PCOS often experience throbbing bout of pelvic pains.
Excess hair all over the body: PCOS causes hirsutism, which is a condition that results in increased hair growth on one’s face, stomach, chest, back, thumbs and toes.
Hair loss: Ironically, it also causes thinning of the hair on one’s head and signs of male-pattern baldness. That means you’ll be losing hair where you need it and gaining it in places you don’t want it.
Menstrual problems: Irregular menstrual cycles are one of the most common symptoms of PCOS. If you end up skipping your periods for weeks or even a month several times a year, it’s time to take things seriously.
Anxiety or depression: PCOS is a hormonal condition which tends to cause chemical imbalances in the brain. This affects your mood and mental state gravely, causing mood swings, anxiety and even depression.
Acne and other skin problems: Oily skin and acne are common among women who have PCOS. But don’t freak out yet. It is serious, only if it persists in conjunction with the other symptoms. Other skin problems like skin tags, patchy skin and dandruff are also caused because of this condition.
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