Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition that occurs in up to 1 in 5 females during their reproductive years. It is recognised for its interference to the menstrual cycle, changes to skin and hair, as well as developing ovary cists. It is also one of the leading causes of infertility. Despite their symptoms, up to 70% of women with PCOS don’t know that they have it.
There isn’t a cure for PCOS, but it is still important for women to familiarise themselves with the symptoms, and have it properly diagnosed by Dr Kothari so you can effectively manage the condition.
What are the symptoms of PCOS?
Women with PCOS can experience a number of symptoms, including:
- Excess hair growing on your face, chest, stomach or back (hirsutism)
- Thinning hair or baldness (alopecia)
- Irregular periods or no periods at all
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Difficulty falling pregnant or not falling pregnant at all
- Acne
- Easy weight gain, or other symptoms and signs of diabetes
- Bloated stomach
- Mental health problems such as depression and anxiety
- High blood pressure
If you are concerned about any symptoms you are experiencing, Dr Kothari recommends booking in a consultation with him as soon as possible. An early diagnosis can help manage the symptoms of PCOS and reduce the potential long-term health risks.
Managing your weight with PCOS
Because women with PCOS have a higher risk of developing health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease plus more, it is important to have Dr Kothari properly examine and diagnose your condition, and then create a weight management plan to avoid further health complications.
We’ve worked closely with many women with PCOS, creating weight management plans that are tailored to each individual lifestyle. Our plans can incorporate three key approaches; focussing on diet, exercise and lifestyle, and medical treatments.
Diet
Including a variety of nutritious foods from each of the five food groups in your diet has proven to be an important action in managing certain symptoms of PCOS, especially weight gain. Having a balanced diet ensures you and your body are getting the right nutrient, vitamin and mineral intake can help women maintain or lose excess weight, thus reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Losing excess weight has been known to reduce the severity of PCOS symptoms, helping to regulate periods and to improve your overall mood and quality of life.
For more information on the five food groups and how to have a balanced and healthy diet, please read the Australian Dietary Guidelines found at Eat For Health
Exercise and Lifestyle
As with improving your diet, partaking in regular physical activity can help women with PCOS lose weight. Alongside this, it can also help to improve your mental health. This can significantly improve energy levels, confidence, and overall wellbeing – all crucial to maintaining your motivation to lose weight. It is recommended that women with PCOS exercise for 150 minutes per week, with a variety of moderate (brisk walking, medium paced swimming or cycling) to high (team sports, aerobics, jogging or running) intensity activities.
Dr Kothari will discuss what exercises are best suited to your lifestyle and personal needs.
Medical Treatments
For patients who have been unsuccessful at losing weight with alternative treatments, medical assistance such as medication or surgery may be recommended.
There is a selection of weight loss medications that are available within the Australian market but won’t usually be recommended as the first treatment option for women with PCOS. Aside from weight loss, other medications can also assist with other PCOS symptoms like period problems.
Depending on a number of factors such as your body mass index (BMI) or your age, you may be considered for surgery such as gastric bypass or gastric banding. Although surgical procedures have been known to improve many of the symptoms of PCOS, it may not be the most appropriate option for you. Dr Kothari will determine this during consultations.
To reduce the risk of developing future health problems, we recommend booking in some time with Dr Kothari to discuss your symptoms and weight in detail. As a specialist gynaecologist, he has extensive experience with helping women with PCOS manage their weight. If you would like to book a consultation, please contact our clinic on 02 4225 1999.