One in five women in India may have PCOS, though many remain unaware. They often link irregular periods to stress, weight gain to daily habits, and ongoing acne to food choices. Years can pass while managing what seems normal until a diagnosis clarifies the connections.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome ranks among the most frequent hormonal disorders in women of reproductive age and is frequently underdiagnosed. Those noticing issues with their cycle, hormones, or overall body may benefit from early specialist input, such as from a gynaecologist in Mumbai, to improve long-term management.
PCOS Basics
PCOS involves a hormonal imbalance where ovaries produce excess androgens, normally present in small amounts in women. This disrupts egg development and release during the menstrual cycle.
The term can mislead, as not all cases show visible ovarian cysts. The reference points to small undeveloped follicles that fail to complete ovulation. PCOS affects the entire system, influencing menstruation, fertility, skin, weight, metabolism, and mental health.
Globally it impacts 8 to 13 percent of women of reproductive age. In India rates may run higher due to lifestyle and dietary influences.
PCOS and PCOD Differences
The terms are often interchanged in India yet differ. PCOD describes ovaries releasing immature eggs that accumulate as cysts over time. It tends to be milder and improves with diet and lifestyle adjustments.
PCOS represents a wider metabolic and endocrine issue with notable hormonal imbalance, higher androgens, insulin resistance, and ovulation problems. It raises risks for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and infertility.
Not every PCOD case advances to PCOS. Accurate diagnosis guides proper treatment.
Common PCOS Symptoms
Symptoms differ widely, contributing to missed or mistaken diagnoses. They fall into categories:
Menstrual and reproductive: irregular cycles under 21 or over 35 days, missed periods, heavy or light bleeding, conception difficulties, and occasional recurrent miscarriages.
Hormonal and physical: excess facial or body hair, stubborn acne, scalp hair thinning, skin darkening in folds indicating insulin resistance, and oily skin.
Metabolic and internal: unexplained abdominal weight gain, trouble losing weight, fatigue, mood shifts including anxiety or depression, and sleep issues such as apnoea.
No single pattern exists. Some experience many symptoms while others have few.
PCOS Causes
Exact causes remain unclear, though key factors include insulin resistance, the main driver in many instances. When cells resist insulin, the pancreas produces more, prompting ovaries to generate excess androgens that hinder ovulation. About 70 percent of women with PCOS show some insulin resistance, even if not overweight.
Elevated androgens suppress ovulation and trigger symptoms like excess hair and acne. Low-grade inflammation and genetic links also play roles, with the condition often running in families.
