Camilla, a 26 years old adult woman from New Jersey, USA, underwent many medical tests to diagnose her disease. She experienced irregular menstruation or even the absence of menstruation. Her major concern was her overweight; though she wasn’t following an unhealthy lifestyle, her sudden increased appetite made her self-conscious. Looking out to all other colleagues living a healthy-balanced life gave her a sense of dejection and depressed her emotions.
The case of Camilla is like all other teenage girls and adult women who have been through an irregular menstrual cycle and are overweight at the same time. Also, the vexation comes when the root of the disease is unknown.
Obesity(Overweight) along with the irregular menstrual cycle are the major symptoms of POS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). Let’s get into a deeper knowledge of this disorder.
What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a disorder caused in sexually reproductive women. Where the women experience irregular menstruation or formation of cysts around the walls of ovaries, it is a hormonal disorder caused in women between the age of 17-44. Around 9% to 10% of women across the world have experienced this hormonal imbalance. Overweight, Infertility, Infrequent Menstruation Cycle, Depression, and Anxiety are a few of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) symptoms.
Ovaries are concerned with the production of female hormones, progesterone and estrogen, necessary for the fertilization of eggs and help in regulating the menstrual cycle. In the case of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, the ovaries suppress the production of estrogen and progesterone. At the same time, it produces an excessive amount of male sex hormone known as androgen.
Oestrogen and progesterone help in stimulating the menstrual cycle by ovulating the ovules from the ovaries. When a woman has Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, the ovaries don’t synchronize the process of ovulation. Ovaries hinder the release of the ovule, which fertilizes with sperm. In this way, the hindrance results in cysts formation around the walls of ovaries.
How is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome interrelated to Obesity?
More than half of the women having Polycystic Ovary Syndrome are more likely to have obesity. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in women happens when the body becomes insulin resistant (insulin is a hormone that helps in glycogenesis and regulation of blood sugar in the body). Hyperinsulinemia, excessive presence of insulin in blood results in chronicle overweight, diabetes, and production of androgen, a male sex hormone that inhibits ovulation.
Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Obesity
- Infrequent Menstruation or No Menstruation
- Infertility
- Unwanted Hair Growth of Facial and Body Hair
- Dark Patched Skin
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
How to Lose Weight with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)?
- Physical Activity- Practising a thorough exercise in the morning and in the evening (just before eating your meal). Nutritionists recommend people with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome to exercise twice a body, most importantly before the meal. When a person does regular exercise, the body uses all the extra amount of glucose present in the body. Usage of the extra amount of glucose lowers the insulin level in the body to too much extent.
- Follow a diet schedule- Cut off the carbohydrate and fats present in your food. Carbohydrates, when consumed in excessive amounts, break down to form excessive glucose, which raises the blood sugar level. When carbohydrates uptake is low, automatically insulin levels are maintained.
- Adding Soluble Fiber to your diet- Soluble Fibers refer to fibres that are digested in the body completely. Soluble fibres curtail hunger and remove excessive fats present in the body while maintaining blood cholesterol levels. Soluble fibres include oats, citrus fruits, barley, and many others.
- Stop Smoking or Alcohol Consumptions- Smoking or Alcohol Consumption is strictly prohibited for women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Smoking not only causes cancer but smoking along with alcohol consumption causes an immense psychological imbalance in the body.
- Practice Meditation to avoid Stress- Sometimes normal psychological process such as menstrual cycle is delayed because of stress conditions. Stressing about bodyweight or the type of disorder one’s going through can immediately affect body weight and size. Meditation and yoga can help in avoiding stressful conditions.
- Go for good sleep- Sleeping disturbances or no sleep or improper sleeping schedule result in high blood pressure, stress, chronically overweight. Good sleep can fix a lot of mental ailments. Hyperinsulinemia can be controlled following a good sleeping schedule.
Following proper medication- Often, the cyst development in the ovary is removed by giving a proper medication to the patient. The doctor recommends certain birth control pills to remove the cysts. When the cysts are removed, the body follows a normal menstrual process, and thus the body weight can easily be maintained.
FAQs:
Would it be easier for a woman to lose weight with PCOS?
PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is interconnected with insulin levels. Sometimes it seems difficult to lose weight after following several diet plans or physical activities but, it isn't impossible. Prolong effect of PCOS results in the body being insulin resistant, but once insulin level is controlled. The body can cut off excessive body weight.
How can I get myself diagnosed with PCOS?
Every PCOS patient has very common symptoms of the irregular menstrual cycle along with obesity. Doctors often identify PCOS patients by enquiring about the symptoms the patient is facing. In case the symptoms are vague, doctors go for an ultrasound of the pelvic region.
