1 in 5 Indian women suffer from Poly cystic ovarian syndrome: Experts

PCOS clinic launched at Max Hospital today
CHANDIGARH, MAY 27, 2017: A Polycystic Ovarian Disease Clinic has launched at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali today.

Speaking during occasion, Dr Kamna Nagpal, associate director Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Max Hospital said that Polycystic ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the commonest hormonal disorder in women in which the eggs in the ovaries are not released but develop small cysts in their ovaries. PCOS could be a result of both genetic and external causes and is affected by our lifestyle.”

Studies have shown that one in five women in India suffer from PCOS, with rates as high as up to 22.5 % in female population. These rates are higher in urban population as compared to rural population, informed Dr Kamna.

Explaining this common disorder , Dr. SK Mathur, director-Endocrinology said that in PCOS, an imbalance of female hormones and male hormones is developed . Normally an ovary makes a tiny amount of male hormone but in PCOS there is increased production of male hormones which results in patient getting PCOS .

This results in acne, facial and body hair and obesity which is cosmetically very distressing for young women. Due to suppression of egg formation it further results in menstrual irregularity and infertility. If these patients with PCOS become pregnant they have an increased incidence of miscarriage like twice the risk of normal pregnant women as well as risk of developing pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes, pregnancy induced hypertension, preterm delivery as well as neonatal morbidity and mortality, said Dr Mathur adding long term consequences of this disease include sleep apnea, disorder in lipid profile, endometrial cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

Dr Kamna further informed that depression and anxiety in women with PCOS is a common presentation but often overlooked and therefore left untreated. There is a tremendous negative psychological impact on patients of PCOD who have weight gain, excess hair growth on body and face, pimples, hair loss as well as inability to conceive.

Approximately 34% of women with PCOS have depression as compared to 7% in general population and 45% of these patients have anxiety as compared to 18% of general population. It has been shown that the longer it takes to diagnose and treat PCOS , the more likely they will be to develop depression and anxiety related disorders, maintained Dr Kamna.

Photos caption: Dr Kamna Nagpal, associate director of Obstetrics & Gynaecology interacting with patients during the launch of Polycystic Ovarian Disease Clinic at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Mohali on Saturday.