Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects the female ovaries. It has a range of symptoms, but it can often take several years to get a correct diagnosis, and even today, the condition is often misunderstood by both patients and healthcare professionals. Here are some of the most common myths about PCOS.
PCOS is a rare condition
You might have been told by someone or read somewhere that PCOS is a rare condition, which has led you to doubt your symptoms. However, this is not actually the case at all. The number of women with PCOS in the UK is thought to be about 1 in 10, according to the NHS.
You need to have all of the symptoms to get a diagnosis
The NHS explains that over half of women with PCOS do not experience any symptoms at all. However, the most common symptoms include irregular periods or absent periods, weight gain, acne, hair loss from the scalp, and excessive hair growth in unwanted places, such as the face, chest, or back.
You have caused PCOS through lifestyle choices
The exact causes of PCOS are not known, but be assured that you have not brought it upon yourself. The condition is thought to be caused by a hormonal imbalance, which elevates the level of androgen in the body. It can also run in families, so if your mother or sisters have PCOS, then you may be more susceptible to it as well.
Because androgens are associated with males more than females, they can cause ‘male’ traits to appear, such as unwanted body hair and thinning hair form the scalp, and reduce female functions such as menstruation. The body may also not react to insulin in a regulated manner.
PCOS means that you can’t have children
The condition does affect fertility, but this doesn’t mean that pregnancy is impossible. Once you have a diagnosis and you wish to become pregnant, book an appointment with your GP. They will usually be able to prescribe hormone tablets which can help to induce menstruation, and thus ensure you have a normal chance of getting pregnant.
If medication doesn’t work, you may be offered hormone injections or IVF treatment to help you conceive. However, be aware that this can increase the possibility of having twins, or other multiples.
If you lose weight, you can cure PCOS
There is no known cure for PCOS, although the symptoms can be managed. Your doctor may recommend that you lose weight if you are overweight, because insulin resistance, which plays a role in PCOS, is more common in overweight or obese people. However, PCOS can affect women of any weight.
If possible, keep your Body Mass Index (BMI) to between 18.5 and 24.9. According to the NHS, losing just 5% of your body weight through healthy eating and regular exercise can result in an improvement in the symptoms of PCOS.
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