Fit & Proper: Dealing with ovarian disorders

Divya Sondhi, 32, is a marketing coordinator whose job requires her to be in office for long hours and travel frequently. She has always had a weight problem. Erratic and unhealthy eating habits have only made it worse. Of late, she has also been having an irregular menstrual cycle and has noticed an inexplicable growth of hair on her body. When she consulted a doctor, she was told that these were symptoms of a disorder called polycystic ovarian syndrome.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is something that a person is born with. It is a genetic condition and there are no predisposing factors for it. It is characterised by a spectrum of disorders due to a hormone imbalance in women. (PCOS has been found to be the most common endocrine disorder in women between the ages of 18 and 44).
In some women, it can be totally asymptomatic. In others, the symptoms might start appearing from 15 to 30. For targeted treatment, it is important to be able to identify the problem. The symptoms include irregular or heavy menstruation, growth of excessive facial and body hair as well as acne, weight gain, pain in the pelvic region and appearance of dark patches on the skin. Hair fall and thinning is also one of the symptoms. Obesity is known to worsen the problem.

Women with an aggravated condition might have a problem conceiving. One of the risks associated with PCOS is hyperinsulinaemia, or insulin resistance - a condition in which there is excessive level of insulin circulating in the blood. A woman with PCOS, therefore, also runs the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Sleep apnea, mood swings and chances of endometrial cancer are also higher.

One of the symptoms, from which the syndrome derives its name, is the presence of cysts in the ovaries that can be detected through an ultrasound.

A sedentary lifestyle coupled with high-calorie diet can lead to weight gain, which, in turn, can provoke the condition further.

Treatment needs to be multi-focal and involves lifestyle management to weight reduction. It also involves addressing each symptom as it appears. In extreme cases, the doctor might advise surgical intervention, a minor procedure called laparoscopic ovarian drilling. However, this is rare.

QUICK TIPS

• Limit sweets and deep-fried food. Instead, opt for a diet that is high in fibre and low in calorie. Work towards losing weight, if that is a problem.
• Consult a nutritionist because each body has different dietary needs.
• Though the condition is genetic, stress can aggravate it.
• If you are getting inadequate sleep, it can impact your menstrual cycle and lead to weight gain.
• There is no substitute for regular exercise.
• Once you have identified the condition, get regular checkups done for blood sugar, thyroid, and blood count.

Archana Dhawan Bajaj
Gynaecologist & obstetrician, The Nurture Clinic, New Delhi