8 COMMON MYTHS ABOUT POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME THAT EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW

What exactly is PCOS? 

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is a group of symptoms that suggest a hormonal imbalance. The absence of regular ovulation is the most prevalent sign of PCOS in women. According to statistics, Polycystic Ovarian Disease or PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) affects 5-10% of women of reproductive age. 

What is the Cause of PCOS?

The illness is becoming increasingly widespread due to current diets and lifestyles. High blood sugar and insulin levels enhance male hormone production in 60 percent of women with Polycystic Ovarian Disease. Each month, these elevated levels of male hormones obstruct proper egg formation. Other variables interfere with ovulation in the remaining 40% of those diagnosed with PCOS. High prolactin, low estrogen, low body weight, anorexia, hypothyroidism, and other conditions can all impair ovulation. In either case, poorly formed egg follicles remain in the ovary as cysts.

8 Myths about PCOS:

• Myth: In case you have an irregular menstrual cycle, you have PCOS

A variety of factors can cause an irregular cycle, and Polycystic Ovarian Disease is only one of them. A typical cycle for a woman generally lasts between 21 and 35 days. Breastfeeding, excessive dieting or over-exercising, pelvic inflammatory diseases, uterine fibroids, and thyroid issues are all possible reasons for an irregular cycle. Stress might also play a role. The takeaway: Consult your ob-gyn if your period lasts fewer than 22 days or more than 34 days. Your doctor can determine the likely reason through an examination and, if necessary, further tests (like a blood test to check thyroid levels).

• Myth: You Don’t Have to Worry About PCOS If You Don’t Want to Get Pregnant 

PCOS doesn’t simply damage a woman’s fertility; it may have a long-term influence on her overall health. Type 2 diabetes (as more than half of the PCOS women develop diabetes or prediabetes before the age of 40), high blood pressure (hypertension), low cholesterol levels, sleep apnea, depression and anxiety, and endometrial cancer are all related to it.

• Myth: I can’t have PCOS because the scan revealed no cysts on my ovaries. 

It is not the case. The term is deceptive. Cysts on the ovaries are not compulsory in those with polycystic ovarian disease. Cysts come and go because the human body dissolves and removes them regularly. The existence of a group of symptoms is used to diagnose this illness.

• Myth: The blood checks came back normal, so there’s nothing hormonally wrong

Hormone blood tests have a bad reputation for being poor indicators of health and illness. In an ideal world, the typical range for hormones would be established by screening the individuals for establishing the range for optimal health. Fibroids, endometriosis, irregular menses, PCOS heavy menses, infertility, painful periods, anovulation, and other disorders will be eliminated. Only individuals with absolutely regular periods, ovulation every month at mid-cycle, no indications of endometriosis or fibroids, no previous history of female reproductive organ disorders, and so on would be chosen by the lab.

• Myth: Having PCOS means you’ll be miserable for the rest of your life

While there is no treatment for PCOS, there is reason to believe that you will improve. You’ll never be able to say that you are cured, but you can be in a healing process that restores your body’s equilibrium. While there is no magic drug that can cure PCOS, there is a lot you can do about it. 

• Myth: Every PCOS woman should use the birth control pill

It is seen that doctors generally use hormonal birth control to treat PCOS menstruation abnormalities. The therapy for PCOS, on the other hand, will be primarily determined by your final aim. It has also been suggested that the pill is more of a Band-Aid that conceals symptoms, so it urges women to take a more holistic approach to their hormonal health by lowering stress and eating an anti-inflammatory diet.

• Myth: If you have PCOS, you’ll know for sure

It’s easy to attribute typical symptoms like acne, mood swings, and irregular periods to other factors, such as stress. As a result, PCOS is often undiagnosed. Undiagnosed PCOS affects between 50 and 70% of women. Not every doctor has the expertise to diagnose PCOS. If you’re having these problems, you should see an ob-gyn and an endocrinologist to figure out what’s causing them.

• Myth: I can go on eating normally and yet control my PCOS

It isn’t correct. Natural PCOS management usually requires dietary & lifestyle adjustments. Those who implement these modifications will see significant progress in their health. They also help to avoid future issues such as heart issues, inflammatory diseases, diabetes, and infertility.

Conclusion

Therefore, above are the myths regarding Polycystic Ovarian Disease, and every woman should be aware of it. While women, in general, should focus on weight reduction and diet to control their menstrual cycle and improve their blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels, those who are attempting to conceive should seek professional help to improve ovulation. Many treatment options are available for PCOS. Only a professional can assess which solutions are best for you. We wish you the best of luck in your efforts to overcome it.