Ishita Roy

PCOS Awareness Day 2024: All About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

PCOS Awareness Day

September marks <span>PCOS Awareness Month</span>, with the first day of its month being <span>PCOS Awareness Day</span>. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that 8 to 13% of women at their reproductive age are globally affected by <span>PCOS</span>. However, up to 70% of them remain undiagnosed. 

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is a common hormonal disorder found in women of reproductive age. The most immediate impact of PCOS is irregular or prolonged menstruation, excessive facial hair growth, difficulty losing weight and scalp hair loss. 

<ul><li>Missed period</li><li>Irregular period</li><li>Excess body hair</li><li>Difficulty losing weight, especially around the abdomen</li><li>Acne or oily skin and dark patches on the skin</li><li>Hair loss from the scalp</li></ul>

On being examined, one may find that the size of the ovaries has changed or that cysts have occurred. Furthermore, hormones may also indicate PCOS. 

You must see a doctor if you face any of these symptoms regularly.

Dr Avir Sarkar, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Noida International Institute of Medical Sciences says: "A sedentary lifestyle leads to an increase in weight and basal metabolic index, which leads to insulin resistance, thereby predisposing to increased androgen levels in the body and causes PCOS."

Dr Sarkar also noted that one can incorporate at least 45 minutes of regular exercise daily. 

"Increase in androgen, which is the testosterone hormone can lead to hair loss in women, to treat it, one has to decrease those hormonal levels by giving antiandrogens," he mentions. 

QR678, a hair science company conducted a study of 150,000 patients who were treated for hair-related concerns and found that 30% or 45,000 women were diagnosed with female pattern hair loss (FPHL), and 28,000 of them were found to have PCOS. 

The diagnosis happened only after the treatment for hair loss started. Another study by Ozivia, a <span>nutrition</span> brand reveals that at least 1 out of every 5 women have PCOS in India. However, 65% of women have been shamed or know someone who has been shamed to talk about it, resulting in 48% of women who do not share their challenges with their spouses. There is a lack of awareness among men which also contributes to a lack of support for women struggling with PCOS, the study found that more than 60% of men do not know what PCOS is.

Due to the shame and taboo associated with it, along with the concern of hair loss, the study by QR678 found that 67% of women reported suffering from depression and 87% of them experienced anxiety. 

Dr Rinky Kapoor, dermatologist and medical advisor with QR678 notes that though hormonal imbalance plays a big role in hair loss, "in some cases, hormone levels may be completely normal, but there is hormone hypersensitivity at the level of the hair follicle. The hair root in such cases becomes hypersensitive to the active form of testosterone (Dihydrotestosterone DHT) which triggers hair fall and hair thinning." 

PCOS often overlaps with psychological issues like depression and anxiety due to hormonal fluctuations. Common symptoms include weight gain, acne, hair loss, menstrual irregularities, and mood swings. Lifestyle changes, such as exercise, yoga, relaxation techniques, and professional help, are essential for managing both mental and physical health.

"Hair loss is often tied to body image issues. Many women feel they do not look good without healthy hair. When hair loss occurs, it can cause significant stress and frustration, potentially leading to depression. Anxiety about hair loss can create a vicious cycle, where more anxiety leads to more hair loss and vice versa," points out Dr Debanjan Banerjee. consultant neuropsychiatrist at Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Kolkata. 

Dr Banerjee also mentions that in managing PCOS, 80 to 90% of cases "require the involvement of both a psychiatrist and a psychologist, along with a gynaecologist." 

<h5>Is Hair Loss Due To PCOS Reversible?</h5>

"Whether it can be fully reversed or requires long-term treatment on several factors," points out Dr Kapoor. For some women, addressing the underlying hormonal imbalances with medications and lifestyle changes can lead to noticeable improvement and even partial regrowth of hair. However, because PCOS is a chronic condition, ongoing treatment and management are often necessary to maintain these results and prevent further hair thinning. 

"Treatments like topical solutions, oral medications, and even advanced options like QR678 can help manage hair loss effectively, but consistency in treatment is key to long-term success," she says.

To minimise hair loss associated with PCOS, focus on gentle hair care and nourishing your scalp. Use sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners to avoid harsh chemicals, and incorporate scalp massages with essential oils like rosemary to stimulate hair follicles. 

Biotin and vitamin supplements, especially B-complex, D, and E, can strengthen hair from within. DHT-blocking shampoos with ingredients like saw palmetto or ketoconazole, peptide-containing shampoos may help reduce hormonal hair loss, points out Dr Kapoor. 

Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise can make a big difference in preventing hair loss for women with PCOS. When you eat a balanced diet rich in proteins, healthy fats, and vitamins, you are not just fuelling your body but also supporting your hair health. Exercise, on the other hand, helps regulate hormones and reduce insulin resistance, which are key factors in managing PCOS. 

By staying active and making mindful food choices, you can help keep those pesky hormones in check, which can lead to less hair thinning and a healthier scalp overall. It is all about taking care of your body from the inside out.

<h5>Is PCOS And <span rel="noindex">PCOD</span> The Same Thing?</h5>

"Yes, PCOS and PCOD are the same," says Dr. Sarkar. Nidhi Singh, who is a nutritionist and an advocator of women's health founded the PCOS Club India in 2020. Singh says that PCOD is an outdated term for PCOS. "The current medical science indicates that PCOS is a collective of symptoms with no real known cause hence is now referred to as a syndrome," she says.

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September marks PCOS Awareness Month, with the first day of its month being PCOS Awareness Day. The World Health Organisation (WHO) says that 8 to 13% of women at their reproductive age are globally affected by PCOS. However, up to 70% of them remain undiagnosed. What Is PCOS?Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is a common hormonal disorder found in women of reproductive age. The most immediate impact of PCOS is irregular or prolonged menstruation, excessive facial hair growth, difficulty losing weight and scalp hair loss. Symptoms of PCOSMissed periodIrregular periodExcess body hairDifficulty losing weight, especially around the abdomenAcne or oily skin and dark patches on the skinHair loss from the scalpOn being examined, one may find that the size of the ovaries has changed or that cysts have occurred. Furthermore, hormones may also indicate PCOS. When To See A Doctor?You must see a doctor if you face any of these symptoms regularly.Dr Avir Sarkar, Assistant Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Noida International Institute of Medical Sciences says: "A sedentary lifestyle leads to an increase in weight and basal metabolic index, which leads to insulin resistance, thereby predisposing to increased androgen levels in the body and causes PCOS."Dr Sarkar also noted that one can incorporate at least 45 minutes of regular exercise daily. "Increase in androgen, which is the testosterone hormone can lead to hair loss in women, to treat it, one has to decrease those hormonal levels by giving antiandrogens," he mentions. Hair Loss And PCOSQR678, a hair science company conducted a study of 150,000 patients who were treated for hair-related concerns and found that 30% or 45,000 women were diagnosed with female pattern hair loss (FPHL), and 28,000 of them were found to have PCOS. The diagnosis happened only after the treatment for hair loss started. Another study by Ozivia, a nutrition brand reveals that at least 1 out of every 5 women have PCOS in India. However, 65% of women have been shamed or know someone who has been shamed to talk about it, resulting in 48% of women who do not share their challenges with their spouses. There is a lack of awareness among men which also contributes to a lack of support for women struggling with PCOS, the study found that more than 60% of men do not know what PCOS is.Due to the shame and taboo associated with it, along with the concern of hair loss, the study by QR678 found that 67% of women reported suffering from depression and 87% of them experienced anxiety. Dr Rinky Kapoor, dermatologist and medical advisor with QR678 notes that though hormonal imbalance plays a big role in hair loss, "in some cases, hormone levels may be completely normal, but there is hormone hypersensitivity at the level of the hair follicle. The hair root in such cases becomes hypersensitive to the active form of testosterone (Dihydrotestosterone DHT) which triggers hair fall and hair thinning." In What Ways Does It Affect?PCOS often overlaps with psychological issues like depression and anxiety due to hormonal fluctuations. Common symptoms include weight gain, acne, hair loss, menstrual irregularities, and mood swings. Lifestyle changes, such as exercise, yoga, relaxation techniques, and professional help, are essential for managing both mental and physical health."Hair loss is often tied to body image issues. Many women feel they do not look good without healthy hair. When hair loss occurs, it can cause significant stress and frustration, potentially leading to depression. Anxiety about hair loss can create a vicious cycle, where more anxiety leads to more hair loss and vice versa," points out Dr Debanjan Banerjee. consultant neuropsychiatrist at Apollo Multispecialty Hospitals, Kolkata. Dr Banerjee also mentions that in managing PCOS, 80 to 90% of cases "require the involvement of both a psychiatrist and a psychologist, along with a gynaecologist." Is Hair Loss Due To PCOS Reversible?"Whether it can be fully reversed or requires long-term treatment on several factors," points out Dr Kapoor. For some women, addressing the underlying hormonal imbalances with medications and lifestyle changes can lead to noticeable improvement and even partial regrowth of hair. However, because PCOS is a chronic condition, ongoing treatment and management are often necessary to maintain these results and prevent further hair thinning. "Treatments like topical solutions, oral medications, and even advanced options like QR678 can help manage hair loss effectively, but consistency in treatment is key to long-term success," she says.TreatmentTo minimise hair loss associated with PCOS, focus on gentle hair care and nourishing your scalp. Use sulphate-free shampoos and conditioners to avoid harsh chemicals, and incorporate scalp massages with essential oils like rosemary to stimulate hair follicles. Biotin and vitamin supplements, especially B-complex, D, and E, can strengthen hair from within. DHT-blocking shampoos with ingredients like saw palmetto or ketoconazole, peptide-containing shampoos may help reduce hormonal hair loss, points out Dr Kapoor. What Can Help Manage PCOS?Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise can make a big difference in preventing hair loss for women with PCOS. When you eat a balanced diet rich in proteins, healthy fats, and vitamins, you are not just fuelling your body but also supporting your hair health. Exercise, on the other hand, helps regulate hormones and reduce insulin resistance, which are key factors in managing PCOS. By staying active and making mindful food choices, you can help keep those pesky hormones in check, which can lead to less hair thinning and a healthier scalp overall. It is all about taking care of your body from the inside out.Is PCOS And PCOD The Same Thing?"Yes, PCOS and PCOD are the same," says Dr. Sarkar. Nidhi Singh, who is a nutritionist and an advocator of women's health founded the PCOS Club India in 2020. Singh says that PCOD is an outdated term for PCOS. "The current medical science indicates that PCOS is a collective of symptoms with no real known cause hence is now referred to as a syndrome," she says.

pcos awareness day: all about polycystic ovary syndrome

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PCOS Awareness Day 2024: All About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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