SEPTEMBER is the world awareness month for PCOS and L.O.V.E. FOUNDATION, together with other NGOS around the world, have been in the forefront of promoting awareness on the subject. We have been having a month-long campaign on all our social media platforms and we are culminating it today with our seminar discussing the subject.
So what is PCOS ?
*POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME* (PCOS) is a medical condition, which is a hormonal disorder affecting 1 in 10 women of childbearing age worldwide. It’s real cause is not known, but has been traced to the body’s inability to handle or coordinate hormones properly. This results in swollen ovaries with small fluid filled sacs (cysts) on the surfaces of the affected ovaries. These cysts may or may not be painful.
Symptoms we can observe in PCOS include:
The weight gain of PCOS is unique as it involves mostly increase in belly fat.
▪️Androgens/Testosterone (male hormones) are unusually higher in some women with this condition leading to facial, chest and abdominal hairs.
▪️Cysts are seen on the ovaries and used in diagnosing the condition. Note that presence of cysts alone is not enough to diagnose PCOS as many women will have simple cysts at some point in their lives. These can be follicular or corpus luteum cysts observed around ovulation periods which usually disappear after some time. So *persistent* cysts with two or three other symptoms are required for the diagnosis of PCOS
▪️Fatigue is common
▪️Irregular periods is classical for PCOS often with severe menstrual pain.
▪️Insulin resistance which may lead to diabetes if not properly managed
▪️Acne (excess pimples)
▪️Infertility (difficulty falling pregnant) usually due to the hormonal imbalance and difficulty detecting ovulation
▪️Male pattern hair growth in the women
▪️Behavioral disorders like mood swings, anxiety, and depression are also common.
THE BAD NEWS IS THAT PCOS HAS NO REAL CURE*, BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT IT CAN BE MANAGED AND THE SYMPTOMS BROUGHT TO A VERY MINIMAL LEVEL, HORMONES CORRECTED TO ALLOW FOR PREGNANCY, AND GENERALLY IMPROVED LIFE QUALITY *WITH EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT*
So, you can start early to observe our young daughters and sisters and ourselves for symptoms that could point to PCOS so that you can commence management quickly. Speak up. Seek help!
So consult your doctor if you notice two or more of the following:
- Excessive acne
- Extra hair in unusual places
- Belly fat
- Oily skin
- Irregular periods
- Pelvic discomfort
- Infertility
Before we continue, I’d like us to listen to two live testimonials from real people who are living with PCOS. We said earlier that we would be having two guests… I hope their stories encourage and motivate us to know that there is hope after diagnosis of PCOS.
We are most grateful to these two brave women who came forward with their stories to encourage us all and let us know that THERE IS HOPE! The video is not complete, apologies… But the lady went ahead and had 5 kids, and yes, she succeeded having the last child as a girl😂😂😂. God is always generous.☺️☺️☺️
So having learnt about the symptoms and how to go for early diagnosis, the next question is,
*WHAT IS THE TREATMENT OF PCOS?*
When not managed properly, PCOS can lead to diabetes, heart problems, severe depression and endometrial cancer. It is therefore important to handle this condition properly.
PCOS can be managed by;
💠 Lifestyle modifications
💠Drugs
💠Surgery.
Depending on the severity and time of diagnosis, one or more of the treatment options can be applied.
💠 *LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS*: includes;
❗DIET: Food is one of the methods used in managing PCOS. This is important for weight management and insulin regulation. Foods encouraged are;
▪️Low glycemic index (GI) diet e.g. whole grains, legumes, nuts, fruits, vegetables, unprocessed low carb diets.
▪️Anti-inflammatory diet e.g. berries, fatty fish, greens, olive oil.
▪️DASH diet (aka anti-hypertensive diet) e.g. fish, poultry, fruits, low fat dairy.
▪️Other foods like unprocessed foods, high fibre diet, salmon, sardines, spinach, broccoli, cauliflower, red grapes, kale, cherries, dried beans, avocado, olive oil, coconuts, wall nuts, almonds, turmeric cinnamon.
You can discuss with your nutritionist to help you with a proper diet plan. We are privileged to have 2 in our midst so if interested, inbox me and I’ll connect you to them.
*FOODS TO AVOID:*
▪️Refined carbohydrates like pastries, pasta, noodles and white bread.
▪️Fried foods
▪️Fast foods
▪️Cereals
▪️Cookies and chips
▪️Sugary beverages and juices
▪️Processed meat
▪️Solid fat like butter/margarine
▪️Excess red meat.
From what we see above, these are also the kind of meals we have been encouraging on this platform necessary for building a healthy Fertility. You can see that we are in order.
Other lifestyle modifications include:
❗EXERCISE: is a must to help regulate weight, especially the belly fat and also reduce insulin resistance. Stretches are preferred to other forms of aerobics.
❗MASSAGES: helps to relieve anxiety, loosen tense muscles and reduce pain during periods.
❗HEAT: Applying hot bottles or pads around the stomach especially during periods helps reduce pains
❗ AVOIDING STRESS: Generally finding ways to relax, sleeping properly, meditation and having the right mental attitude will help in combating stress. We have over emphasized the importance of keeping stress far from us in maintaining an improved Fertility Health. This still remains true even with management of PCOS
❗SUPPORT NETWORKS: Having a support system truly helps maintain a balanced mental health during the journey. Goal setting is one way that support groups help to keep a positive energy while going through the challenge.
💠 DRUGS
The second method of managing PCOS is with used of medication.
Medications used are usually tailored to symptoms to be addressed;
▪️NSAIDS like ibuprofen to manage severe period pains.
▪️Combined Oral Contraceptives to help regularize periods
▪️Metformin to take care of insulin resistance
▪️Ovulation stimulation drugs
▪️Progestogins to regularize periods and improve chances for pregnancy to occur
▪️Antidepressants to manage mood alterations and severe depression if present
▪️Supplements like fish oil (omega 3 fatty oil) and probiotics which improve gut flora that can help with hormone regulations especially sex hormones and insulin.
💠 SURGERY
This is the last form of treatment. It is recommended when the cysts are getting too large and are in danger of rupture (which becomes an emergency) or in danger of forming torsion (i.e. twisting around the ovary) which can eventually damage the ovary. This surgical process is laparotomy and is considered a major operation. Surgical removal of cysts do not guarantee cure as cysts can grow again.
Another surgery that can be done is Manual Vacuum Aspiration (MVA) which can be done if bleeding becomes too excessive. This clears out the uterus and allows for a proper cycle to begin. Also not a cure for PCOS. Trying to conceive as soon as possible helps to prevent against ovarian and endometrial cancer. It also aids in completing family size and gives the couple the opportunity to take informed decisions. Some couples decide to have a hysterectomy after having all their kids and save the woman the stress of all the challenges that come with PCOS. Other treatments are cosmetic treatments and are tailored towards acne management and removal of excess hairs on face and chest.
This brings us to the end of today’s lectures. Now you know all you need to know about PCOS. Please share this knowledge with others.
Leave A Comment