Polycystic Ovary Syndrome or PCOS is a common syndrome caused by the imbalance of reproductive hormones in women while attaining puberty. These imbalances frequently emerge as irregular menstruation periods, excess androgen and tiny ovarian cysts. This article seeks to debunk popular myths related to this condition, and create more awareness about PCOS.
Myth 1:
PCOS means Irregular or no periods
Myth 2:
PCOS means more unwanted hair
Certainly Not. Hair growth is often an inherited condition or sometimes occurs because of excess androgen (male hormone) or insulin resistance. Therefore, neither do all women with PCOS have thick and unwanted hair growth, nor do all hairy women suffer from PCOS.
Myth 3:
PCOS is equivalent to obesity
This is not true at all. Even thin people can show all the symptoms of PCOS. Gaining weight alone does not spell a PCOS diagnosis. Obesity can occur for numerous reasons including bad eating habits and/or hypothyroidism, besides a lot of lifestyle related issues.
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Myth 4:
PCOS occurs due to nutritional imbalance
Not always. The actual causes of the illness are still unknown in medicine. However, the primary reason attributed to PCOS is hormonal imbalance and not unhealthy nutritional choices.
Myth 5:
PCOS means presence of cysts
Not at all. Cysts develop when an egg cannot be released and remains trapped inside the ovary. Insufficiency of Progesterone, the female hormone, is the main cause of this. Hence, the polycystic ovaries by themselves do not meet this requirement.
Myth 6:
PCOS leads to no pregnancy
This is definitely not the case. The fact is complications during or before pregnancies may arise due to the PCOS.
Lifestyle choices and persistent disregard towards health and fitness could be the main factors contributing to PCOS. Clinical and research groups feel that existing nomenclature hinders scientific advancement and causes misunderstanding. ‘Metabolic Reproductive Syndrome’ is an option under consideration - if PCOS will be renamed.