🌸 What is PCOS?
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a hormonal condition that affects how a woman's ovaries work.
PCOS is one of the most common hormonal conditions in India — affecting 1 in 5 women of reproductive age. It happens when the ovaries produce too many androgens (male hormones), disrupting the normal menstrual cycle. Despite being extremely common, it is widely misunderstood and often goes undiagnosed for years.
What Actually Happens in PCOS?
In a healthy cycle, the ovaries release one egg each month. With PCOS, hormonal imbalance means eggs don't mature properly — they form small fluid-filled sacs (cysts) instead of being released. This causes irregular or absent periods and raises levels of androgens, which leads to symptoms like acne, excess hair, and weight gain. The name is slightly misleading — you don't need to have cysts to have PCOS, and having cysts doesn't automatically mean PCOS.
Common Symptoms
Symptoms vary widely between women. Common signs include: irregular or missed periods (fewer than 8 per year), excess hair on face, chest, or back (hirsutism), acne or oily skin, thinning hair on the scalp, weight gain (especially around the belly), difficulty getting pregnant, dark patches of skin around the neck or armpits, and mood swings or depression. Many women only discover they have PCOS when they struggle to conceive.
How is PCOS Diagnosed?
A doctor diagnoses PCOS using the Rotterdam Criteria — you need at least 2 of 3 signs: (1) irregular or absent ovulation, (2) excess androgen levels (from blood test or symptoms), (3) polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. A single blood test or ultrasound alone cannot confirm or rule out PCOS. Common tests include: hormonal panel (LH, FSH, testosterone, AMH), thyroid function test, fasting glucose and insulin levels, and a pelvic ultrasound.
PCOS and Indian Women
Indian women are at higher risk of PCOS-related insulin resistance compared to Western populations due to genetic factors and dietary patterns high in refined carbohydrates. Studies show 20–25% of Indian women of reproductive age have PCOS, compared to 8–13% globally. The condition is frequently dismissed as 'just irregular periods' or linked to stress — causing years of delayed diagnosis. PCOS is not caused by eating too much or laziness. It is a genetic hormonal condition.
Management and Treatment
PCOS has no cure, but symptoms are very manageable. Lifestyle changes are the first-line treatment: eating a low-glycaemic diet (less white rice, maida, sugar), regular exercise (even 30 minutes of walking helps), and maintaining a healthy weight (even 5–10% weight loss can restore periods). Medical treatment includes metformin (for insulin resistance), hormonal birth control (to regulate periods), and fertility medications like clomiphene for those trying to conceive. Speak to a gynaecologist who specialises in endocrinology for a personalised plan.
Key Facts at a Glance
- 1 in 5 Indian women have PCOS
- You don't need cysts to have PCOS
- PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility in India
- Lifestyle changes can reverse many symptoms
- PCOS does not mean you cannot get pregnant
- Thyroid issues often co-exist with PCOS — get both tested