About 1 in 5 women suffer from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in India. This suggests how common PCOS is in India and across the world. Although there is no permanent cure for PCOS, some medical and non-medical therapies can control and reduce it. Before we know more about the cure for PCOS, let’s understand what PCOS is.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is one of the common hormonal disorders in women of reproductive age group between 14-45 years. Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) and PCOS are often used interchangeably.
PCOD is a lifestyle condition that can be managed by PCOD diet and exercise, whereas PCOS is a metabolic disorder. Keep reading to know more about PCOS and its cure.
PCOS Symptoms & Causes
The exact reason for PCOS is still unknown. However, some studies have found that various factors cause PCOS, for example, genetic causes and the hormonal imbalance caused by excess insulin or excess androgen.
Obesity and unhealthy are also closely linked to PCOS. Here are a few symptoms associated with PCOS:
- Irregular periods
- Heavy or Scanty Periods
- Acne, Oily Skin
- Hair Thinning, baldness
- Excess body and facial hair
- Weight gain in the waist region
- Mood Swings, Anxiety
- Dark Patches on the neck, arms, breasts
It is extremely important to keep PCOS under control, as it may lead to future problems like infertility, heart disease, and diabetes.
Is there a PCOS Test?
As such, there’s no single test for PCOS. Your doctor will check your medical history, do a physical examination followed by pelvic ultrasound, and may advise you some blood tests to further evaluate your hormone levels for diagnosis of PCOS.
Blood Test for PCOS includes:
- Thyroid Profile (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
- Diabetes Profile (HbA1c)
- Testosterone Profile
- DHEA (DehydroepiAndrostenedione)
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)
- Prolactin
Treatment of PCOS
Coming back to the cure of PCOS, there is no permeant cure for it. However, there are some ways to keep PCOS under control and reduce its symptoms.
Your doctor may recommend hormonal treatments for managing PCOS, such as progestin, progesterone therapy, or birth control pills. They can help to reduce PCOS symptoms and regulate periods.
- The use of progestins is often used to reduce excess hair growth, regulate periods, and treat other PCOS-related symptoms.
- The ovaries produce progesterone to regulate the menstrual cycle and prepare the uterus for pregnancy. Women with PCOS often take it in the form of a pill, vaginal gel, or injection, and it is used to treat irregular periods and improve fertility.
- The use of birth control pills containing oestrogen and progesterone can also assist in the treatment of PCOS symptoms, such as irregular periods and excess hair growth. Taking these pills can help regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce androgen levels by inhibiting ovulation (the release of an egg from the ovary) and altering hormone levels in the body.
In addition, your doctor may also give you diabetic medication to reduce insulin resistance, which is a major cause of PCOS. However, to keep PCOS in check, following a healthy diet and lifestyle is mandatory.
PCOS Reversal Diet: What to Eat?
Although PCOS is not completely reversible, some diet modifications can help keep it under control. A healthy PCOS diet should include:
- Natural, unprocessed foods
- High-fiber foods
- Healthy fats are present in fatty fish like salmon, tuna, mackerel, and sardines. If you are a vegetarian, you can include olive oil, avocados and coconuts, as they are also rich in healthy fats.
- Leafy vegetables like kale, spinach.
- Nutrient-rich fruits, such as red grapes, cherries and blueberries.
- Vegetables like broccoli & cauliflower
- High-protein foods like dried beans, lentils, and other legumes
- Nuts, including pine nuts, walnuts, pistachios and almonds.
- Spices, such as cinnamon and turmeric.
PCOS: What to avoid eating?
If you are on a PCOS diet, it would be wise to avoid certain unhealthy foods that include::
- Refined carbohydrates, like white bread and pastries.
- Fried foods
- Sugary drinks, such as sodas and cold drinks.
- Processed meats like sausages
- Solid fats, including margarine
- Excess red meat
Along with diet, lifestyle changes are also important to manage PCOS.
Physical activity combined with a PCOS diet may have several benefits, such as:
- Weight loss
- Improved insulin metabolism
- More regular periods
- Regulate hormonal levels
- Lower cholesterol levels
Natural Remedies for Management of PCOS
There are several methods to reduce and even follow PCOS treatment at home. The idea behind it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes daily exercise, diet, and good sleep. Here are a few natural ways to manage PCOS:
- Avoid processed food
- Balanced carb and protein diet
- Eat iron-rich foods like spinach and broccoli.
- Eat magnesium-rich foods such as bananas, cashews and almonds
- Daily exercise
- Good quality sleep
When to See a Doctor for PCOS?
You should consult a doctor if you experience any PCOS symptoms mentioned above. It is a very common condition, yet many of us may not even know that we have PCOS. It remains undiagnosed unless women start facing any infertility issues.
Don’t ignore any signs or symptoms of PCOS. Get it diagnosed to manage PCOS for a healthier life. The sooner you begin your treatment, the sooner you start to feel better.
Conclusion
Although there is no permanent cure for PCOS, you can reduce its symptoms and thereby improve your quality.
Adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes a diet rich in healthy fats, lean proteins, and carbohydrates, at the same time, increasing physical activity, can help you manage PCOS. If you have any queries related to PCOS and its cure, connect with our experts now.
FAQ's
1. Which exercise is best for PCOS?
Cardio is the best exercise to manage PCOS. PCOS can also be managed by jogging, cycling, swimming, walking, glute bridges, donkey kicks, and meditation. The best time to exercise is whenever you feel like it. There is no right time to exercise. Keep in mind that you need to work out for 30 minutes every day for five days a week.
2. Is PCOS a lifelong disease?
PCOS is a lifelong disease. Approximately 5 to 10% of women between the ages of 15 and 44 suffer from PCOS, and most of them become pregnant during this time. It’s for this reason that 70 to 80% of women have problems conceiving.
3. Can I cure PCOS on my own?
The truth is that there is no cure for PCOS at this time, but you can control it and reduce its symptoms.
4. Can I Get Pregnant While Having PCOS?
Yes, you can get pregnant naturally. PCOS Patients who are obese are advised to lose weight. If they are still unable to conceive after losing weight, ovulation induction is done by using medicine for such patients. This medicine affects the ovary, which results in an increase in follicle size and ovulation. To induce ovulation, letrozole is the most commonly prescribed drug.
5. Is your daughter susceptible to PCOS?
PCOS is related to genes, so if your mother has it, there is a risk that you will also develop it.