We at Medicircle are constantly working on bringing to our audience all the trending health-related topics. It is our primary objective to Bring to your attention news and views you need to be aware of to lead a healthy disease-free life. To help us in this regard we’d be joined by eminent and expert top doctors from across the country. Today in Doctor’s Speak we are going to talk about the problem of PCOS and ways to help you deal with it. 

Dr. Suvarna Khadilkar is a Gynec-Endocrinologist in Mumbai having 33 years of experience in this field. She is a professor and head of the Department of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, Consultant Endocrinologist at Bombay Hospital Institute of medical science, and Editor in Chief of the Journal of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of India.

PCOS and weight gain 

Dr. Suvarna Khadilkar says, “PCOS causes weight gain. This is a vicious cycle where weight gain and PCOS are interrelated. Familial obesity may cause weight gain. Obesity is a causative factor of PCOS. Weight gain is not caused because of PCOS. PCOS patients may have a lean PCOS which is because of abdominal fat. Thin fat females have more metabolic fat which is a reason for PCOS. ”

Birth control pills and PCOS 

Dr. Suvarna Khadilkar, ”PCOS is not simple which can be treated with birth control pills. Apart from birth control pills, anovulation can be treated with other factors as well. There are many other abnormalities in PCOS like- 

• Irregular cycles - need OC pill
• Increase in Male hormones - hormonal or OC pills 

Birth control pills help with anti-androgenic activity. This helps in PCOS. If you want to prevent conception, a special birth control pill is used which helps in reducing the PCOS symptoms.” 

PCOS and infertility

Dr. Suvarna Khadilkar informs, “PCOS condition causes a defect in ovulation on 14 th day which helps in the release of eggs. There may be defects in ovulation due to - 

• Male hormones 
• Weight gain 
• Stress 

This causes infertility. There are many medicines to correct this ovulation problem with advanced technologies. The success rate is good with fertility. It is important to treat PCOS in case of infertility.” 

Symptoms of PCOS 

Dr. Suvarna Khadilkar informs, “The PCOS problems affect the entire body causing- 

• Diabetes 
• Hypertension 
• High cholesterol 
• Risk of uterine cancer
• Cardio-metabolic risk

Timely control for PCOS is important. The PCOS prevalence is high contributing to 5 - 20 % of women in adolescence. It is a lifestyle disorder. Weight gain and an unhealthy diet have a higher tendency of PCOS. Uncontrolled PCOS may cause these problems and risks. Early detection of PCOS is important. ” 

Surgery for PCOS

Dr. Suvarna Khadilkar says, “Taking care of your lifestyle will help avoid PCOS surgery. Controlling a healthy lifestyle is a must for PCOS. There are two surgeries available- 

• PCOS drilling helps in surgical ovulation. This is avoided now as ovulation induction drugs and lifestyle can help. Large cysts need ovulation drilling. 

• Bariatric surgery-Comorbid obesity in PCOS also needs surgery if weight is 100 kg and BMI above 35 needs surgery. This surgery reduces the stomach size and causes lesser absorption of calories. This causes a decrease in weight.” 

Myth busted- Once PCOS- Always PCOS 

Dr. Suvarna Khadilkar informs, “Yes, it's true, Once PCOS- Always PCOS. There are higher chances of PCOS in adolescence and the risk of PCOS reduces with increasing age after 40 + especially after menopause.”