By Joke Kujenya
FOR SOME women, an unpredictable menstrual cycle may seem like an ordinary inconvenience.
For others, persistent acne, unwanted facial hair, thinning hair or difficulty becoming pregnant may appear as separate problems.
Yet these symptoms can have one underlying cause: polycystic ovary syndrome, commonly known as PCOS.
JKNewsMedia.com reports that Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting women during their reproductive years and beyond.
According to World Health Organisation (WHO), an estimated 10 to 13 per cent of women of reproductive age worldwide have the condition, while up to 70 per cent of affected women may not know they have it.
The organ notes that the condition develops when hormonal signalling becomes imbalanced, resulting in higher-than-normal levels of androgens and other hormonal changes.
Its effects can vary widely from one woman to another, and symptoms can change over time.
Irregular, infrequent or absent menstrual periods are among the possible signs. Some women may instead experience heavy prolonged or painful periods.
Others may develop excessive facial or body hair, acne, oily skin, female-pattern hair loss or difficulty conceiving.
For many women, the impact extends beyond the physical symptoms.
PCOS can affect quality of life and may be associated with anxiety, depression, eating disorders and negative body image.
Infertility, obesity and unwanted hair growth can also expose women to social stigma, affecting relationships, work, family life, mental health and their sense of belonging within their communities.
The condition also carries longer-term health concerns.
Women with PCOS face an increased risk of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and obesity, alongside conditions including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
Other possible complications include gestational diabetes or high blood pressure during pregnancy, sleep apnoea, metabolic steatohepatitis and abnormal growth or cancer of the inner lining of the uterus.
PCOS is also a leading cause of irregular menstrual periods and one of the most common causes of infertility among women globally.
Yet, having PCOS does not necessarily mean a woman has ovarian cysts.
Diagnosis requires at least two of three features after other possible causes have been excluded.
These include signs or symptoms of high androgen levels, irregular or absent menstrual periods, and polycystic ovaries identified through an ultrasound.
That means a woman can have PCOS without having polycystic ovaries. Blood tests can also help identify elevated androgen levels or establish whether ovulation is occurring normally.
Health workers consider other factors when assessing the condition, including a woman’s family history. Women with a family history of PCOS or type 2 diabetes have a higher risk.
The stage of life also matters because irregular periods can occur normally around the beginning or end of the reproductive years.
Women who receive a new PCOS diagnosis are recommended to undergo additional blood tests to assess underlying insulin resistance and overall cardiovascular risk.
There is currently no cure for PCOS, but treatment can make a significant difference. Healthy eating and physical activity remain important for women with the condition, even when those measures do not result in weight loss.
Medication can also help manage some symptoms. Combined oral contraceptive pills can regulate menstrual cycles and may reduce acne or excess facial and body hair.
Androgen receptor blockers may also be used to manage excess hair or acne, with treatment decisions based on the individual woman’s needs, values and preferences.
For women struggling with infertility because of PCOS, treatment may involve lifestyle changes, medicines or surgery to stimulate ovulation. In-vitro fertilisation and other assisted reproductive technologies may also provide options.
Women with PCOS can be supported to become pregnant, although the condition is associated with a higher risk of pregnancy complications and may require additional monitoring.
The message during PCOS Awareness Month is therefore straightforward: persistent symptoms deserve attention.
A woman experiencing irregular or absent periods, acne, unwanted facial or body hair, hair thinning or difficulty becoming pregnant can speak with a health worker for assessment.
Early diagnosis and appropriate care can help manage symptoms, support fertility and protect long-term health.
WHO also said that PCOS may affect women differently, but recognising its signs can be an important first step towards getting the support and treatment needed to live well with the condition.
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