PCOS is a hormonal disorder common in women of reproductive age that can cause irregular periods, difficulty conceiving, excess hair growth and acne. The exact cause is unknown but factors like genetics and insulin resistance play a role. Symptoms include irregular periods, hirsutism, hair loss and acne. Diagnosis involves exams, blood tests and ultrasounds to check hormone levels and examine ovaries. Treatment involves medication and lifestyle changes like diet and exercise to manage symptoms and make conception more likely.

1. Your Guide to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

2. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. However, multiple factors can tribute to its
development, including heredity, low grade inflammation and insulin resistance.

3. Women at Risk of PCOS
Women in their reproductive years are affected by PCOS. It is usually diagnosed after puberty,
when women are between the ages of 20 and 30 years. Those women who are overweight or
have a family history are at a higher risk of getting PCOS.

4. Complications
• Difficulty in conceiving
• Abnormal Uterine bleeding
• Miscarriage or premature birth
• Gestational Diabetes Mellitus or high blood glucose during pregnancy

5. Symptoms
• Irregular menstrual cycle: 8 or fewer menstrual cycles in a year, cycle of more than 35 days or
erratic bleeding including heavy periods.
• Hirsutism: Too much hair growth over face, chin, or parts of body where usually men have
hair.
• Acne on the face, chest, and upper back
• Hair Thinning or hair loss on the scalp, similar to baldness in men

6. Diagnosis
• Physical Exam: discussion about your menstrual periods, changes in weight, excess hair
growth, insulin resistance and acne.
• Pelvic Exam
• Blood Tests: recommend to measure hormone levels, glucose tolerance and others, as
deemed appropriate.
• Ultrasound: to examine your ovaries and thickness of uterine lining.

7. Treatment
Your doctor will discuss the management of each of the concerns, including infertility /
conceiving, hirsutism, acne and / or obesity. It may be a combination of medications and
lifestyle changes. Consult your doctor for detailed information.

8. Food to be Included in Your Diet
• Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage
• Leafy Greens / lettuce, green and red peppers
• Beans, lentils and Pastas
• Almonds and other nuts
• Whole wheat flour
• Lean protein sources like chicken, and fish don’t provide fiber but are very filling and a
healthy dietary option

9. Food to be Avoided
• White bread
• Muffins, pastries, Sugary desserts
• Anything made with white flour
• Pasta noodles that list semolina, durum flour, or durum wheat flour as their first ingredient
are high in carbohydrates and low in fiber.
• inflammation-causing foods, such as fries, margarine, and red or processed meats

10. Visiting a Doctor
If you are experiencing irregular menstrual periods, problems conceiving, excessive hair growth,
and / or weight gain, please visit your doctor for immediate disease management plan.

11. Facilities Available at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH)
• Consultation with our Gynaecologist, Endocrinologist and Nutritionist experts
• Specialized laboratory package for PCOS
• Fertility treatment, excluding IVF
• Advance testing and diagnostic services for accurate reliable treatment plan.

12. To read more details, visit this link
https://hospitals.aku.edu/pakistan/AboutUs/News/Pages/guide-to-pcos.aspx