Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries & so that, it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful but lead to hormone imbalances.

In India, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting women. Just about 10 per cent of the women in India are affected with PCOS. Women with PCOS have various symptoms which may be cosmetic, such as acne, facial hair and pigmentation, gynaecological such as irregular periods, infertility and repeated pregnancy loss, or hormonal such as unusual weight gain, insulin resistance and diabetes. PCOS is not a disease but a syndrome of numerous symptoms and signs and every woman might not have all the possible symptoms.

Polycystic ovary syndrome is due to female sex hormones imbalance.

It is seen in as many as 25 - 30% of young women.

It can cause irregular or delayed periods and make it difficult to get pregnant..

If it is not treated, over time it can lead to serious health complications, such as diabetes and heart diseases.

Generally the symptoms begin in the teen years & the symptoms are mostly cosmetic as they get bothered by the acne, weight gain and facial hair.

In married women, the PCOS frequently manifests as inability to conceive. In this situation, the ovulation may not occur regularly, and as the egg does not come out each month, the chance of pregnancy is also low down.

The allopathic doctor may often prescribe drugs which are used in diabetic patients, as these drugs are insulin sensitizers and get better the insulin insensitivity, which is the main problem behind PCOS. So a malfunction of the body's blood sugar control system is frequent in women with PCOS, who often have insulin resistance and elevated blood insulin levels.The main cause of PCOS is insulin resistance.

If it is not treated, over time it can lead to serious health complications, such as diabetes and heart diseases.

Normally, the ovaries make a minute amount of male sex hormones that is called androgens. In PCOS, they start making somewhat more androgens. This may cause you to stop ovulating, get acne, and grow extra facial and body hair.

01.The symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) usually become apparent in your teens or early twenties.

02.Not all women with PCOS have all of the symptoms. Each symptom can vary from mild to severe.

03.In many women, the only symptoms are menstrual problems or a failure to conceive.

01. Irregular periods or total lack of periods.

02. Difficulty getting pregnant, recurrent miscarriage.

03. Excessive hair growth that is called hirsutism (usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks).

04. Thinning hair and hair fall from the head.

05. Acne, Oily skin.

06. Depression and mood swinging.

07. Multiple, small cysts in the ovaries.

The accurate cause of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is unknown, but it's thought to be related to irregular hormone levels.

Resistance to insulin-

Insulin resistance means the body’s tissues are resistant to the effects of insulin. The body therefore has to produce extra insulin to balance.

High levels of insulin cause the ovaries to produce too much testosterone hormone, which interferes with the development of the follicles (the sacs in the ovaries where eggs develop) and prevents normal ovulation.

Insulin resistance can also lead to weight gain, which can make PCOS symptoms worse because having excess fat causes the body to produce even more insulin.

Hormone imbalance-

Many women with PCOS are found to have an imbalance in certain hormones, including:

01. Increased levels of testosterone - Also called a male hormone, although all women normally produce little amount of it.

02. Increased levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) - It stimulates ovulation, but may have an abnormal effect on the ovaries if levels are too high.

03. Low levels of sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) – It helps to reduce the effect of testosterone.

04. Increased levels of prolactin (only in some women with PCOS) _ It stimulates the breast glands to produce milk in pregnancy.

The exact cause why these hormonal changes occur is not known. The changes may also be caused by the resistance to insulin.

Genetic:

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) sometimes runs in families. If any relatives, such as your mother, sister or aunt, have PCOS then the possibility of you developing it is often increased.
This suggests there may be a genetic link to PCOS, although exact genes associated with the condition have not yet been identified.

DO YOU HAVE PCOS ?

Sometimes it is difficult to detect PCOS due to its confusing and unclear symptoms.

These Questions will help you find out whether you are suffering from PCOS or not.

Are you getting overweight?

Are you carrying excessive fat around your belly?

Are your periods irregular?

Do you menstruate less than 9 times a year?

Do you have to take hormonal pills to bring on your periods?

Are you not able to conceive for more than 6 months?

Do you suffer from abnormal hair growth around chin, neck or chest area?

Do you often have acne/breakouts?

Are you facing the concern of discoloured or darker skin?

Do you feel depressed/ moody often?

If You think your answer is YES to most of the questions, there is high probability that you have PCOS.

Natural Treatment For PCOS- (Lifestyle Changes)

Exercising 30 minutes a day for at least 5 days a week can make a huge difference. Walking is the best activity. There are many benefits of exercise such as weight loss, hormone balance, relieve stress, fights depression. Weight reduction of even a few percent has clinical benefits. Weight management by dieting and exercise is recommended to all women with PCOS

Diet: Low fat, high fiber, plant based diet that promotes weight loss & hormonal balance.

Dr. Vinod Kala is a leading Homoeopathic practitioner, practices in the city of joy Kolkata(west bengal) India. He passed his BHMS from National Institute of Homoeopathy (Govt. of India, under ministry of health & family welfare) Kolkata, West Bengal. He has done his Post Graduate diploma in Preventive & Promotive Health Care from Apollo Hospitals Educationals & Research Foundation, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad, India.