What is PCOS inferlity?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a condition whose exact cause is not known. PCOS is characterized by hormonal imbalance and women may have:
• Excessive hair growth
• Acne
• Oily skin
• Darkened patches of skin
• Weight gain
• Abdominal pain
• Infrequent, abnormal or no menses (not related to birth control)
Someone having these symptoms would need further testing. First-degree relatives of women with PCOS are at greater risk of developing the syndrome. PCOS is diagnosed when an ultrasound detects multiple cysts in the ovaries.
PCOS is a very common hormone disorder in women, a leading cause of infertility in the body, and one of the most underdiagnosed diseases in India. PCOS is considered by a myriad of seemingly unrelated symptoms and may include irregular or absent periods, lack of ovulation, weight gain, acne, excessive facial hair and infertility found in women. Even more serious, women with PCOS may be at higher risk for getting higher cardiovascular disease, Type 2 Diabetes, and endometrial cancer, especially if PCOS is left untreated.
Surprisingly, most women with PCOS don’t even know they have it. Less than 25 per cent of women with PCOS have actually been diagnosed, largely because women and their health care providers tend to look at the wide variety of symptoms individually rather than collectively. Most women are never officially diagnosed until they begin struggling with infertility and seek help in getting pregnant.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a very commonly found disorder that many women first learn about while seeking the cause of their infertility. PCOS affects 5-10% of women in their reproductive age, making it one of the most common hormonal disorders in this age group. The exact cause of PCOS is not known to us. It is likely that a combination of issues leads to the development of PCOS. PCOS is assumed to be a genetic trait and may run in families. Environmental factors such as the diet that one consumes are also thought to play a role in the development of PCOS.
How does hormonal imbalance cause a problem?
Menstruation/Fertility: In healthy females, normal changes in hormones occur, causing regular menstruation. A regular cycle is typically three to five days of menses with 21 to 35 days between cycles. With PCOS, hormones change irregularly. This can lead to skipped menses, lack of menses, and/or abnormal bleeding. In essence, with PCOS, an egg never leaves the ovary to possibly join with sperm to make a baby.
Hair, oily skin, and acne: High insulin levels lead to excess testosterone. This causes unwanted hair growth, oily skin, and acne.
Obesity: When insulin levels are increased for long periods, cells become “resistant.” Over time, this insulin resistance may lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Women with PCOS should be aware of these risks. In most cases, weight increases before insulin resistance are detected. A lab test can reveal high blood sugar levels. This may be the first sign of insulin resistance.
What are the options for treatment?
Since the exact cause of PCOS is very much unknown, treatment focuses on correcting hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance. In overweight or obese women, weight loss is beneficial. This alone can restore hormone balance and fertility. Weight loss also decreases the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
Treatment for PCOS is personalised to address a woman’s reproductive concerns. For women in whom pregnancy is not desired, oral contraceptives may be prescribed. When pregnancy is desired, ovulation induction agents such as Clomiphene Citrate, Letrozole, or gonadotropins may be used. Adjunctive treatments such as Metformin have been used to decrease insulin resistance. Surgical management for patients with refractory polycystic ovarian syndrome infertility treatment is an option but may be associated with adhesion formation and subsequent infertility.
Complementary treatments and natural medicine offer a variety of tools. Nutritional counselling and weight reduction may improve insulin resistance and improve a patient's overall likelihood of spontaneous ovulation and/or response to ovulation induction treatments. Acupuncture and vitamin supplements, such as Myo-inositol, are treatment options for polycystic ovarian syndrome infertility. Psychological support may be necessary for some women with PCOS.
In many cases, PCOS infertility treatment can be successfully managed and fertility achieved. A plan of care should be tailored to address your specific needs and goals. Consider following a multidisciplinary approach to management that incorporates medical, nutritional, and psychological support to enhance the likelihood of success in achieving the best result in the management of PCOS. This allows for the success of achieving your health goals.