COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT PCOS

PCOS is quite common nowadays in youngsters as girls of adolescent age already see their periods very early. With this development, it is important have a good knowledge about PCOS than blindly believing in misconceptions.

We carefully picked some common myths to burst about PCOS in this write up. I hope you find them useful:

1. MYTH: diabetes causes PCOS

FACT: PCOS leads to hormonal imbalance and also insulin resistance which could make you vulnerable to diabetes. If you’re obese and have PCOS, you’re prone to having diabetes. So, PCOS could possibly lead to diabetes and not the other way around as the myth suggests.

2. MYTH: Thin women do not get PCOS

FACT: It’s true that majority of women with PCOS are overweight, but thin women could also get PCOS (comparatively rare though). Hormonal assessment and abdominal scan are used to ascertain in such rare cases.

3. MYTH: the symptoms are same with all women

FACT: This is totally not correct as symptoms vary in PCOS. The common symptoms are menstrual problems (irregular periods or delayed periods), and obesity. Other hormonal problems occur in some women with PCOS like abnormal hair growth especially in unusual places. As hormone changes occurs, it causes a dominance of male hormones (androgenic hormones). Some girls start having moustache from young ages.

4. MYTH: NO OVARIAN CYST, NO PCOS

FACT: Most times, cysts fail to show during a scan and this makes most women feel they don’t have PCOS. If you ever notice irregular periods, your best bet is a transvaginal scan which is 100% effective.

5. MYTH: Women with PCOS cannot have babies

FACT: As PCOS affects the ovulation, the process of egg formation, it can lead to infertility. However, some patients have conceived without any treatment or IVF (invitro fertilisation). Infertility is a cause of concern for a woman with a large ovary, no periods, multiple cystic areas and already have hirsutism at the age of 20-23 years. In such a case, you might need diet modification, proper medication and assessment of ovarian function (follicle scan).

6. MYTH: PCOS can be cured.

FACT: PCOS can’t be cured but adequately managed. The treatment options depend on severity and other underlying health problems seen in patient. Diet modification is usually first line in young girls and medication as the case might be.

Treatment options are available in PCOS ranging from dietary modification to oral medications. If you are not trying to get pregnant, taking an oral birth control pill that includes a combination of low-dose estrogen and progestin can help regulate the menstrual cycle and alleviate unwanted hair and acne.

If you’re trying to become pregnant, medication to induce ovulation, such as Clomid, can help you conceive.

References

1. https://www.centrastateobgyn.com/blog/6-common-misconceptions-about-polycystic-ovary-syndrome/#:~:text=Here%20are%20some%20common%20misconceptions,get%20pregnant%20without%20any%20intervention.

2.https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/common-myths-about-pcos-polycystic-ovarian-syndrome-busted-b0217-473428/amp/