PCOS : Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome is a very common hormonal disorder found in menstruating women. Around 10-15% women get affected by this. This condition can present in many ways.
The common symptoms are:
- Irregular or no periods
- Painful periods
- Excessive facial and body hair
- Depression or anxiety
- Weight gain
- Difficulty in getting pregnant
These symptoms can be mild to moderate depending on every woman.
However a few things can help women to conceive with PCOS. These are:
1) Losing weight: It has been seen, that if the women who suffer from PCOS shed some of their extra body weight, they have higher chances of conception. Approximately 5% reduction in the body weight can help in improving insulin resistance and menstrual cycle.
2) Regular exercising: Exercising can help increase the blood flow to various parts of the body. It also helps to get the hormonal imbalance on track. Exercising 30minutes for 5 times a week helps the body metabolism very well.
3) De stress: Stress often hampers conception. Try meditation and yoga to calm yourself. High levels of stress can lead to increase in cortisol that further increases insulin levels.
Seek help of your family and friends if you are feeling too stressed about the whole situation.
4) Medications prescribed by doctor: Ovulation is affected during this condition and a healthy egg is often not released. Your doctor can prescribe you an ovulation drug to enhance the release of an egg. You doctor can also prescribe you folic acid to manage the condition.
5) Dietary changes: Eating healthy is often helpful in regularising the body mechanism:
- Munch on fresh fruits and vegetables
- Limit the caffeine
- Omega 3 rich diet
- Avoiding sugar
- Consumption of nuts, flaxseeds
- Inclusion of anti-inflammatory items in food like ginger, turmeric and black pepper.
If nothing works yet, it’s time to see your doctor and your doctor can give you different options.
These could be:
- In vitro fertilisation
- Surgical options like ovarian drilling
Be hopeful: PCOS is a very common condition and you should not lose hope. Medical science has advanced and it has answers to your problems. Consult your doctor if you are suffering from PCOS and planning to get pregnant.
