What is PCOS?
PCOS is a condition that can affect your periods, fertility, hormones and aspects of your appearance. It can also affect your long-term health. Studies have shown that approximately 60% women in UAE have this condition. It affects all age groups and is more prevalent now due to our poor lifestyle i.e. sedentary life without any exercise, irregular routine, stress and the fast food culture. Polycystic ovaries are slightly larger than normal ovaries and have twice the number of follicles (fluid-filled spaces within the ovary that release the eggs when you ovulate).

Note that all women who have multiple follicles don’t have PCOS. The Diagnosis of PCOS is made only when the woman has symptoms

The cause of PCOS is not yet known but it often runs in families. If any of your relatives (mother, aunts, sisters) are affected with PCOS, your risk of developing PCOS may be increased. The symptoms are related to abnormal hormone levels.

What are the symptoms of PCOS?
The symptoms of PCOS include:

• Irregular periods or no periods at all
• An increase in facial or body hair (hirsutism)
• Loss of hair on your head
• Being overweight, experiencing a rapid increase in weight or having difficulty losing weight
• Oily skin, acne
• Difficulty becoming pregnant (reduced fertility). This is because PCOS is associated with infrequent or absent egg production (ovulation)

The combination of obesity, hirsutism, loss of hair on the head, acne and reduced fertility contribute to poor body image, depression and anxiety.

When is a woman said to have PCOS?
A diagnosis is made when a woman has any two of the following:

• Irregular, infrequent periods or no periods at all
• An increase in facial or body hair and/or blood tests that show higher testosterone levels than normal. Many times, the blood levels of hormones are normal, however if the woman has Polycystic ovaries on a scan and has irregular cycles/ increased hair growth/ difficulty in attaining pregnancy, she is considered to have PCOS
• An ultrasound scan that shows polycystic ovaries.

Having polycystic ovaries does not necessarily mean that you have PCOS. Women with PCOS have symptoms as well as polycystic ovaries i.e.

PCOS = Polycystic ovaries on scan + Symptoms

How does PCOS affect the long-term health of a woman?
PCOS patients have a higher risk of:

• Diabetes mellitus i.e. high blood sugars
• Hypertension i.e. high blood pressure
• Cancer of the womb
• Depression and mood swings
• Fatigue, daytime sleepiness, snoring

Treatment of PCOS
Many women with PCOS successfully manage their symptoms and long-term health risks without medical intervention. They do this by eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, some women need treatment.

As mentioned before, PCOS affects women of all ages, however, the treatment differs depending on the age of the patient. For example, in a young unmarried girl, the emphasis will be on making her period’s regular while for a married woman desiring pregnancy, treatment will be aimed at inducing ovulation. In older women, the aim will be to avoid other health issues.

Steps to avoid the long-term consequences

• Adopt a healthy lifestyle:
  1. Eating a healthy balanced diet, incorporating fruit, vegetable and whole foods. Avoid processed food as much as possible. For example, opt for brown bread or whole wheat pasta instead of white bread and white pasta; Atta instead of Maida etc. Reduce the amount of sugar, salt, oil and caffeine in your diet
  2. By maintaining a healthy routine: i.e. sleeping early, waking early and having meals on time. Never skip breakfast. Unfortunately, in our busy life, working women end up skipping breakfast, having light lunch and very heavy dinner followed immediately by sleep. This poor routine increases the risk of obesity and PCOS.
  3. By exercising regularly: Walking at a brisk pace for just 30 minutes 4-5 days in a week makes a marked difference.
• Have regular health checkups once a woman has been diagnosed with PCOS, she should be monitored regularly to pick up early signs of other health issues such as:
  1. Diabetes mellitus: Especially in women who are above 40 years of age or who are obese
  2. Cancer of the womb which is more common in women who have not had periods for more than 4 months.
  3. High Blood pressure
  4. Depression and anxiety
  5. Other Hormonal problems such as thyroid issues.

Is there a cure for PCOS?
There is no cure for PCOS. Medical treatments aim to manage and reduce the symptoms or consequences of having PCOS. Medication alone has not been shown to be any better than healthy lifestyle changes (weight loss and exercise).

Dr. Shalini Somnath
Specialist – Obstetrics & Gynecology
Thumbay Hospital, Ajman

For appointments contact us through

Phone: +971 6 7463333
Email: thajman@thumbayhospital.ae
Online: www.appointments.thumbay.net
Location: Thumbay Hospital, Ajman | P.O. Box 4184 Ajman, United Arab Emirates