03_BT_March 2022

Special Feature
WHAT IS PCOS AND What are the
treatments available?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) occurs when a woman’s
ovaries or adrenal glands produce more male hormones than
normal. PCOS causes small cysts to grow on the peripheries
of the ovaries.
Symptoms include irregular/infrequent menstrual periods,
excess hair growth on the face and body (hirsutism) and acne
or oily skin. Often women with PCOS are obese, and most of
them may have issues with fertility. Women with PCOS are
at higher risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease
and high blood pressure.
PCOS is diagnosed via the typical clinical presentation
mentioned above with supporting features of polycystic
ovaries on pelvic ultrasound and some hormonal blood
test changes, especially in severe cases. There is no cure
for the disease, but diet, exercise, and hormonal medicines
like birth control pills to balance hormonal levels can help
control the symptoms.
Can you explain more about ovarian
cancer? What are the preventive
steps?
Ovarian cancer is one of the commonest cancers in women
worldwide. Unfortunately, unlike cervical cancer, there is
no reliable and efficient screening test for this cancer. More
than 75% of women present late with significant symptoms,
leading to a poorer prognosis. Thus, recognising the risk
factors among us is crucial.
Up to 25% of ovarian cancers result from an inherited
mutation in specific genes. In view of this, knowing the
patient’s background or family history and informing the
healthcare provider regarding this significant history may lead
to earlier assessment and detection of ovarian cancer.
Using birth control pills for five or more years, for example,
has been associated with lower chances of getting ovarian
cancer, and this has been used as a preventive measure
among the high-risk group.
Women who give birth after the age of 35 or who never have
carried a pregnancy have a higher risk of ovarian cancer, so
completing family earlier may reduce the risks, especially in
high-risk groups. Some studies suggested that breastfeeding
itself reduces the risk of ovarian cancer.
Can you provide tips on improving
ovarian health?
A healthy lifestyle is crucial in maintaining ovarian health,
as this is closely related to a woman’s metabolism issues. A
balanced diet and regular exercise prevent obesity, which may
be the precursor of PCOS and hormonal imbalances.
A healthy lifestyle also includes avoiding smoking and alcohol
intake. Regular health check-ups, especially in high-risk
women, are also important to detect earlier ovarian issues, as
frequently, ovarian diseases are detected incidentally.
Effective family planning is also one of the factors that may
lead to improved ovarian health as it may reduce the risks
of ovarian cancer by avoiding pregnancy at a later age.
Breastfeeding should also be encouraged as one of the
preventive measures for ovarian cancer.
40 BabyTalk | March 2022