The New Epidemic Affecting Women

The New Epidemic Affecting Women

Polycystic ovarian disease or syndrome (PCOS) is a condition affecting many women, whereby a number of small cysts get formed inside the ovaries. These cysts affect the regular hormonal functioning of women and leads to the over- functioning of the male hormone. This is why many young women have excess hair over their body, especially the tace, weight gain, irregular periods and acne.

The incidence of PCOS appears to be rising or perhaps it is now being diagnosed more often. Reports show that it is seen in as many as 25-30 per cent of young women. In young girls, the symptoms are mainly cosmetic as they get disturbed by the acne, weight gain and facial hair. The treatment is usually hormonal and three weeks of treatment every month, for nine months gives good results.

One of the most noticeable affects of PCOS is the inability of women to get pregnant. The chances of a married women conceiving becomes low as ovulation does not happen regularly because of which eggs are not produced.

PCOS can be reduced with the regular use of prescription drugs. Many doctors usually prescribe medication that enhances insulin insensitivity. These medications are usually the same as those given to diabetics as one of the reasons behind PCOS is the lack of insulin sensitivity.

In some cases, depending on the extent of cyst growth, a doctor might even suggest laparoscopic intervention where drilling of the cysts is done. Here, a small thin needle with electric current passing through it, is used to burn the cysts in the ovaries. This process improves the functioning of the hormones and thus increases the chances of a pregnancy.

Women in their 30’s and 40’s are more prone to diabetes and later to cancer of the uterus, if they are not careful and do not take proper medication, Therefore, it is important to have regular periods and if it does not happen every month, it should be started again with medicines as this prevents hyperplasia of the lining of the womb and subsequent cancer.

A lot of women affected with PCOS are usually obese and one of the main treatments is making lifestyle changes by exercising regularly, eating healthy food and losing weight in a healthy way. This is the only thing which is effective in the long run.

PCOS can affect women of all age groups and cause different problems at different stages of life, It should thus be diagnosed early and treated with care.

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