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That burger could give you PCOS
By: Kanika Parab | May 30, 2007


Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) has emerged as the most common gynaecological problem among working Indian women. Follow Life@work’s guide to everything you need to know about PCOS. Plus, how a 23-year-old Mumbaikar dealt with it by altering her lifestyle

If you are a working professional in a metro, your lifestyle has possibly already put you at risk of at least one lifestyle-related disease.

The latest one that women need to watch out for is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

“Text books may say that about 10 of women at a reproductive age, suffer from it, but my clinical practice reveals that the figure is at least 30,” says Dr Sonal Kumta, MD gold medallist, consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician at Wockhardt Hospital, Mulund.

With stress, junk food and sedentary lifestyle emerging as the biggest culprits, working women, especially those in the BPO sector, must observe caution.

“During health check ups held for BPOS at Wockhardt Hospital, I found that most women, especially those who work the night shift, suffer from hormonal problems and show classic symptoms associated with PCOS,” Dr Kumta tells us.

What is it?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that can affect a woman’s menstrual cycle, fertility, hormones, insulin production, heart, blood vessels and appearance.

You could suffer from PCOS if you have the following:

High levels of male hormones, also called androgens.

An irregular or no menstrual cycle.

Why is it affecting the young working woman?

Dr Kumta says it’s your lifestyle that could make you a victim of PCOS. Here’s how:

Sedentary lifestyle: Contrary to the earlier times, young working women are increasingly succumbing to the remote-control life, where activity is shrunk down to a minimal level.

Eating habits: A lot of women in Indian metros live alone, and seldom have time to cook. As a result, they end up ordering take out, which is usually junk food.

Stress: In the whirlwind of work pressure and deadlines, their stress levels are shooting through the roof.

Sleeping patterns: Women who work the graveyard shift in BPOs, work against the natural biological clock.

BPO workers are worst hit

Dr Sonal Kumta, consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician at Wockhardt Hospital, Mulund

During health check ups held for BPO employees, I found that most women, especially those who work the night shift, suffer from hormonal problems and show classic symptoms associated with PCOS

Case Study

Sonia 23, business analyst (name changed)

Two years ago, Sonia was studying for her MBA entrance exam, getting ready to find a job, and step into the “real world”.

Academic stress, expectations of a job and depression led her to binge on junk food, and gain around 10 kgs. “It was only when I went in for a diabetes check, did I find that I was also suffering from Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).”

The medication may have worked for Sonia, but she did not want to get dependent on it. “I knew that if I wanted a permanent cure, I had to alter my lifestyle.” Sonia lost 15 kilos and her latest sonography showed no signs of PCOS.

Here’s how she did it:

Since I was told to lose weight, I started hitting the gym every day.

Instead of going on a crazy diet, I eliminated high-calorie food.

Even if I am forced to eat out, I opt for a brown bread sandwich or South Indian food.

Symptoms

Classic symptoms include:

* Infrequent or irregular bleeding patterns. It could entails absent periods for months together.

* Infertility or inability to get pregnant because of not ovulating.

* Because of the increased levels of male hormones, there is excessive hair growth on the face, chest, stomach.

* Acne and oily skin are more common among these women.

* Weight gain, especially around the waist.

Change your lifestyle

Dietary modifications: Don’t go on extreme diets to lose weight because this will cause a rebound effect. Instead, eat a low-calorie, healthy diet.

Moderate exercise: Even if you don’t lose weigh, a moderate amount of exercise can improve the metabolic rate. “Even 10 body weight loss, can help a PCOS patient to a large extent,” says DR Kumta.









What happens when you get PCOS?

Usually, during our menstrual or ovarian cycle, the female body produces one mature egg every month. In those suffering from PCOS, there isn’t any one large egg.

The ovary does not have the hormones to mature the egg, as a result, we have many small intermediate eggs, none of which have the ability to ovulate.

Anamika replied. You are welcome friends. No dear I have not typed this message just copied and pasted it from Midday site which is very useful. God Bless All. PeaceLily replied. Hi Anamika,

Nice to know that PCOS is reversible. Thanks a lot for taking the time to type this good message for all of us. Thanks again, Keep up the good work.

Regards,
PL anik replied. This is a very interesting and informative article Anamika. Thanks for posting it here.