India has witnessed about 30 per cent rise in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) cases in the last couple of years. It is a cause for major concern since it is increasingly being diagnosed in women who are in their reproductive age. Lack of awareness and lifestyle changes are considered to be the major factor leading to this phenomenon. There is a need to increase awareness among women so as to avoid major cases of fertility problem in future, according to Dr Rajeev Punjabi, gynaecologist and obstetrician, Tulip Womens HealthCare Centre, Mumbai.

The PCOS has now become a common health problem that affects teenage girls and young women. Till now there is no source of information that may give reasons for the cause of PCOS. However it seems to be related to an imbalance in a girl's hormones.

According to Dr Punjabi,who is also a sonologist and family planning expert, “PCOS is the most common hormonal reproductive problem in women of childbearing age. The most important step is to diagnose the condition in time and provide with proper treatment for PCOS so that it will help to reduce a girl's chances of having serious side effects later on.” Women with PCOS have high levels of male hormones, also called androgens, irregular or no menstrual cycle however it may be regular in some cases and they may or may not have many small cysts or fluid-filled sacs in their ovaries.

In girls, the ovaries produce the hormones estrogen and progesterone, and also androgens, even though androgens are sometimes referred to as male hormones, every female produces them. These hormones regulate a girl's menstrual cycle and ovulation. In girls with PCOS, the ovaries produce higher than normal amounts of androgens, and this can interfere with egg development and release. Some of the eggs develop into cysts, which are little sacs filled with liquid. Instead of being released during ovulation, as an egg is during a normal menstrual cycle, the cysts build up in the ovaries and may become enlarged. Because girls with PCOS are not ovulating or releasing an egg each month, it's common for them to have irregular or missed periods.

According to Dr Punjabi, 40 per cent of women affected with PCOS belong to the most reproductive age group. “If PCOS is not treated properly, it can put a girl at risk for lots of problems like infertility, excessive hair growth, acne, obesity, diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, abnormal bleeding from the uterus, and cancer etc. though there is no cure for PCOS since it is a hormonal disorder, it can be controlled and treated,” he warns.

Dr Punjabi informs that women with PCOS have to maintain their lifestyle and control their diet for keeping PCOS under control. Women with PCOS should try to opt for low glycemic index foods, as they will cause a slower rise in blood sugar. Avoid those carbohydrates that trigger more hunger or cravings.

He stresses, “Women should be educated on the ill effects of this disorder since it can lead to a lot of problems. Its a problem that needs urgent attention, since the incidence rate is increasing at a higher rate. Education, awareness, and self-control is the only way to control it from rising further and affecting more women.”

PCOS is not something women should take lightly, especially if there is a sudden weight gain due to hormonal imbalances, with acne and hair fall. Beyond the weight gain, untreated polycystic ovarian syndrome has been known to lead to uterine cancer, type two diabetes, as well as a host of lifelong medical conditions like high cholesterol, blood pressure and hirsutism.