Short answer
PCOS (often called PCOD in India) is a common hormone condition that can cause irregular or missed periods, extra facial or body hair, acne, weight gain and difficulty getting pregnant. WHO estimates it affects 10 to 13% of women of reproductive age, and up to 70% do not know they have it. There is no cure, but lifestyle changes and treatment control symptoms and help fertility.
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- Dhruva Hospitals, Kadapa
Common symptoms
- Irregular periods, long gaps between periods, or no periods
- Extra hair on the face or body, or thinning of scalp hair
- Acne or oily skin
- Weight gain, especially around the belly, or difficulty losing weight
- Thick, dark patches of skin on the neck or armpits
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Low mood or anxiety
Symptoms vary a lot: some women have only one or two, and some have none. The UK’s NHS now uses a new name for the condition, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), to reflect that it affects the whole body, not just the ovaries.
How it is diagnosed
- Questions about your periods, hair growth, skin, weight and family history
- Blood tests for hormones, thyroid, sugar and insulin resistance
- An ultrasound scan of the ovaries in adult women
Other conditions, such as thyroid problems, can cause similar symptoms, so it is worth getting a proper diagnosis.
Treatment
- A healthy diet, regular exercise and weight loss if you are overweight. Even modest weight loss can improve periods and ovulation.
- Hormone tablets to regulate periods and protect the lining of the womb
- Metformin, a diabetes medicine that helps with insulin resistance in some women
- Treatments for acne and unwanted hair
- Ovulation medicines, such as letrozole or clomifene, if you are trying to conceive, and IUI or IVF if needed
- Rarely, a keyhole operation on the ovaries (laparoscopic ovarian drilling) when medicines have not worked
Why long-term follow-up matters
PCOS raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes in pregnancy. Very infrequent periods can also cause thickening of the womb lining. Regular check-ups, including sugar tests, help prevent these problems.
At Dhruva Hospitals
Our gynaecology team diagnoses and manages PCOD/PCOS in teenagers and adult women, and our fertility team helps women with PCOS who want to conceive. Call +91 99599 59694 or WhatsApp us to book with our gynaecology team. OPD hours are 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
Common questions
Is PCOD the same as PCOS?
In everyday use in India, yes. Both names describe the same group of symptoms: irregular ovulation and periods, signs of higher male hormones, and often many small follicles on the ovaries.
Can I get pregnant with PCOS?
Yes. Many women with PCOS conceive naturally or with simple treatment to help ovulation. If you have been trying for a year, see a fertility specialist; go sooner if you are 36 or older or your periods are very irregular.
Does PCOS go away after marriage or pregnancy?
No. It is a long-term condition, but symptoms can be well controlled with lifestyle changes and treatment.
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This article is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. In an emergency, call +91 90368 52311.