What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
PCOS is hormonal disorder where there are irregular periods, excessive hair growth on face or body (“hirsutism�), loss of hair on head, oily skin, acne and weight gain along with polycystic ovaries found in ultrasound.The “cysts� in PCOS are not tumours. The main problem in PCOS is not the “cysts�, rather cysts are arising because of hormonal problems. Presence of polycystic ovaries does not always mean PCOS.

Is PCOS related to other diseases?
Women with PCOS are more prone to develop diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, depression and mood swings, snoring and daytime drowsiness and sometimes, cancer in the lining of the uterus (endometrium).

Why PCOS increases the risk of infertility?
Women with PCOS have good number of eggs inside the follicles but they cannot be released (Ovulation).

How PCOS is treated?
You should aim to keep your weight to a level that is normal. Treatment of fertility depends on your age, duration of infertility and other fertility factors. Usually the first line of treatment is OI (Ovulation Induction). Medicines (tablets, injection) are given to help your eggs grow and rupture. The next lines are IUI (Intrauterine Insemination) and IVF (In Vitro fertilization) respectively.

Is there any role of laparoscopy?
Only very few women who fail to ovulate with any medicines, some cysts are punctured using electric current (laparoscopic ovarian drilling- LOD). It should be done ONLY in selective cases. Otherwise it will do more HARM than GOOD.

Is any special precaution required in pregnancy?
Women with PCOS are at higher risk of developing miscarriage, diabetes (gestational diabetes mellitus- GDM), high blood pressure (preeclampsia), growth problems, premature delivery during pregnancy.