Unraveling PCOS: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options Explained

In recent years, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has gained widespread recognition as a hormonal disorder. Affecting approximately 8% to 13% of women of reproductive age, PCOS is marked by hormonal imbalances, irregular menstrual cycles, acne, weight gain, and excessive hair growth. Symptoms can vary significantly among individuals and are often mistaken for other conditions, complicating the diagnosis. According to the World Health Organization, around 70% of women with PCOS remain undiagnosed globally, which greatly impacts their quality of life and overall well-being.

PCOS is a condition that affects the ovaries, essential organs in the female reproductive system responsible for producing hormones and eggs. In PCOS, the ovaries produce an excess of androgens, leading to an imbalance in the reproductive hormones that regulate ovarian function.

Dr. Swati Mishra, an IVF Specialist at Birla Fertility and IVF in Kolkata, explains, “Women are born with a fixed number of eggs stored in small sacs or follicles in the ovaries, which are located on either side of the uterus. In a healthy woman with a normal menstrual cycle, these follicles grow and release an egg each month for fertilization.”

In PCOS, however, hormonal imbalances prevent these follicles from maturing or releasing eggs. Instead, immature eggs accumulate in the ovaries, forming cysts. This lack of ovulation results in irregular periods and difficulty conceiving. While some women may not experience noticeable symptoms and discover their condition only when trying to conceive, others face clear signs of PCOS.

Causes
The exact cause of PCOS remains unclear. “One common theory is that high levels of male hormones prevent the ovaries from producing female hormones and eggs normally,” Dr. Mishra says. “Insulin resistance, obesity, and inflammation are also believed to contribute to excess androgen production. Additionally, PCOS often runs in families, suggesting that multiple genes may be involved.”

Symptoms
PCOS is typically diagnosed when a woman exhibits at least two of the following three symptoms: irregular or missed periods, signs of excessive androgens, or enlarged ovaries with a polycystic appearance on ultrasound. Common symptoms include hair loss, excessive facial and body hair, oily skin, acne, darkened skin, skin tags, lower abdominal pain, weight gain, ovarian cysts, and mood swings.

Treatment
Dr. Mishra notes, “There is no cure for PCOS, but symptoms can be managed with medication and lifestyle changes.”

Adopting a balanced diet, regular exercise, stress management, maintaining a consistent sleep cycle, and adhering to prescribed medications are key to regulating hormonal imbalances. Regular check-ups can also help alleviate visible symptoms like acne, excess facial hair, and obesity.

For women seeking to conceive, PCOS can present challenges, but appropriate treatment can improve fertility. In severe cases, in vitro fertilization (IVF) may be an option. IVF involves administering ovarian-stimulating hormones to mature eggs, which are then retrieved for fertilization and implantation. This method significantly increases the chances of pregnancy, with success rates reaching up to 70%.