Are you suffering from irregular periods? Yes, 70% of teenagers are suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in India. And it must be treated as soon as possible, as it can affect your physical health and your mental health severely. In PCOS, girls generally suffer from irregular menstrual cycles, heavy periods, and even can cause menopause at a young age. They also include symptoms of excess hair growth and acne. PCOS is not diagnosed in adolescent girls because irregular menstrual cycles from fluctuating hormones are usual in adolescents. And hence, other symptoms are ignored.
What is PCOS?
A higher level of androgens in girls can result in PCOS. Androgens are a type of hormone that acts as a chemical messenger in the body. They are often called “male hormones”. These can lead to some significant changes in girls:
- Missed periods, very light periods, heavy periods and irregular periods.
- Ovaries having small, several cysts
- Absurd weight gain
- Increased body hair growth
- Acne and oily skin
- Infertility
- Dark and thick skin patches
Due to these abnormal hormonal changes in a female body, women are more likely to develop serious health problems like high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, abnormal cholesterol level, uterine cancer, heart problems. They also suffer from stress, depression, anxiety etc.
What are the causes of PCOS?
There can be many causes of PCOS. It is more likely if it is genetic. But one can also have PCOS due to irregular lifestyle, pollution in the area, etc.
How can it be diagnosed?
If you are suffering from any of the symptoms listed above, never ignore and immediately consult a gynecologists’. Because this can be fatal if ignored. Vaginal or pelvic Ultrasound can easily detect whether you are suffering from PCOS or not. Also, you have to go through several blood tests for proper treatment.
Treatment
- Medicines: consult a good gynaecologist and take all the medicines prescribed timely. But taking medicines are not a solution. You must not consume hormonal medicines because these medicines have severe side effects and can affect your mental health. You can refer to homoeopath medicines as they do not have any side effects.
- A low glycaemic index diet: This is the most necessary step in the treatment of PCOS. One should live a life with a healthy, nutritious and balanced diet. Make a proper diet chart having all the healthy and nutritious foods timely because eating food in time is necessary.
- Fruits: Consume as many fruits as you can because fruits are very good for your health and PCOS. Some fruits like apples, grapes, orange, peach, strawberries, plums, banana are good for PCOS. Fruit doesn’t contain protein or fat and will help you to maintain your blood sugar level.
- Salad: Include a salad in your meals. It helps in the digestion process. Salads are major part of a healthy diet because they can be good sources of vitamins and other nutrients needed by the body.
- Yoga: Yoga helps in treating PCOS. Practice yoga regularly. It will help you to lose weight and regulate hormone levels in the body. Regular practice of yoga is an effective way to manage PCOS. Yoga poses like garland pose, bridge pose, bow pose, cat-cow pose, head-to-knee pose, butterfly pose etc., are expected to be effective in treating PCOS. Yoga helps to promote relaxation and decreases stress and depression.
- Regular exercise: If you are suffering from PCOS, try to make a routine for exercise daily. Exercise helps to lose weight and regulate your hormone levels.
- Drink water as much as you can
Don’t get scared if you are suffering from PCOS, instead maintain a balanced lifestyle. Never consume raw sugar as it helps in gaining fats. Not only for the ones suffering from PCOS, each and everyone should lead a healthy life. You should never consume unhealthy and oily foods as these can make your body prone to several fatal diseases. Your body is the temple, and worship the holy spirit in you. So, take the utmost care for your body.
By – Sanchayita Chattopadhyay
