Whether it’s about knowing where your stuff is kept or getting acquainted to the recipe of that dish you’re craving, your mom knows it all. She knows you inside out, your quirks and everything else. And hence they say, a mother’s love surpasses all. She is a wealth of knowledge and she loves to pass it down to the next generation.

After an age for a daughter, her mother is not just a mother anymore – she becomes her friend and most trusted, close confidante. In this scenario, when mothers are the first go-to resource for a daughter to discuss herself and intimate health aspects like her periods, we need to make sure that our mothers are equipped with the most rational and scientific knowledge possible to ensure their daughter’s well-being.

So, what is PCOS about? Before you start self-diagnosing and start following unsolicited health advice around you, it would be better to get some basic, authentic information and awareness regarding PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) – a hormonal and metabolic endocrine disorder.

PCOS not only affects reproductive health of women but it also impacts on their physical and mental health. PCOS can affect girls as young as 11 years old.^1,2

When moms don’t feel alarmed or are not aware of basic symptoms and signs of PCOS or for that matter any such reproductive health issue, it can get difficult for girls to deal with alone and uninformed.

PCOS if not corrected over time can cause long term adverse effects on the body. Not to forget that today, PCOS is the leading cause of infertility among Indian women.

And it can be emotionally draining for women with PCOS to deal but THE GOOD NEWS IS if one makes the necessary diet and lifestyle changes, with medical treatment through a gynecologist, the symptoms can be managed, and damage controlled.

PCOS often goes unnoticed, when women do not pay enough attention to the symptoms their body is showing and when appropriate treatment is not sought at the right time.

Ladies – mommies and girlies – start taking notes, here are 7 solid signs and symptoms of PCOS –

1.Irregular or Heavy Periods

No! Late periods or missed periods are NOT ALWAYS a sign of pregnancy. Don’t stress over it, unless you have taken necessary pregnancy tests and are sure of it.

Females with PCOS often have irregular periods. If a female has a gap of 35 – 40 days between her two consecutive menstrual cycles and this irregularity is observed continuously for a period of 8 – 10 cycles per year, then it might be a symptom for occurrence of PCOS.

2. Obesity (Sudden Weight Gain)

35 – 65% of women with PCOS are obese or observe weight gain. Central obesity (fat deposition around abdominal area) is commonly observed. The weight gain and fat accumulation in abdomen and belly area hampers pancreas function causing insulin insensitivity in the body.

3. Diabetes – The Insulin insensitivity or insulin resistance due to PCOS and hormonal imbalance can be linked to occurrence of Diabetes (Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) in PCOS women.

4. Hirsutism

Excessive facial or body hair is known as hirsutism. Male hair growth pattern is observed in females with PCOS. Hard or thick hair growth on chin, upper lip, sidelocks, stomach or overall on the body can be observed.

5. Severe Acne

Acne is one of the PCOS symptoms having major concern among young adults. Severe acne symptom can also cause body image issues among young girls.

6. Infertility

Polycystic ovaries cause imbalance in the ovulation process in a woman’s body. Because of this, women with PCOS often find difficulty in conception of a baby or infertility. Although, NOT ALL WOMEN with PCOS, face infertility. There can be various causes or reasons behind Infertility in a woman, PCOS or irregular ovulation might be one of those reasons.

7. Hair fall/ Thinning of hair

Females with PCOS may notice hair loss (more than usual), thinning of hair especially around scalp. This unusual hair fall can be linked to excess testosterone (male hormones) in females with PCOS which clogs hair follicles and interferes with normal hair growth.

Tests for detecting PCOS condition

• Pelvic Ultrasonography (for examination of various aspects of ovarian health and morphology)
• Hormone tests (Prolactin, FSH, LH, 17 OHP, Testosterone etc.)
• Blood Sugar test (Fasting & PP Sugar)
• Test to measure insulin resistance (HOMA Index)
• Thyroid Function Test (TSH, T3, T4)

For more information about PCOS and to book PCOS test click here 

References –

1. http://www.womenshealthct.com/your-health/recent-health-topics/polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-pcos
2. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/PCOS-on-the-rise-among-teenage-girls/articleshow/32604739.cms