Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS has become such a common ailment that at least one woman we know in our lives are suffering from this condition. What is it? How is it diagnose? And what are the signs to look out for to seek help from a physician?

Let's dive in to the details!

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwBF8lAoBHQ

"String of pearls" is what the image of a polycystic ovary is called in an ultrasound image. The name sounds beautiful but the symptoms aren't pretty.

What is the real problem?

Multiple cysts in the ovary is essentially just one of the many manifestations of the disease. This syndrome has many tell-tale signs before it starts blowing out of proportion.

This is a systemic illness, a metabolic syndrome which need immediate attention as if left unchecked and if nothing is done about it, there is a risk of developing other conditions like diabetes & hypertension in later stages of life.

Signs to look out for:

1. Chronic fatigue

2. Weight gain (to be more accurate, an increase in fat percentage in the body. Some people may have a normal BMI but have high percentage of visceral fat which is extremely dangerous)

   1. Body composition analysis is important (Total body fat % , muscle mass, bone density)

3. Irregular menstrual cycle, extended cycles, skipping few months of periods all together

4. Abnormal bodily hair growth: On the face; called hirsutism (especially upper-lip, mandible/chin & jawline), inner-thigh, chest, back, tummy

5. Consistent acne breakouts (Acne vulgaris)

6. Brain fog/decreased concentration

7. Clinical depression

8. Abnormal hyperpigmentation & velvety thickening of creases of neck, elbows, axilla, inner thighs (Acanthosis nigricans)

9. Hair thinning, Hair loss, Male-patterned baldness

10. Increase in blood sugar level/HBA1C (some may be pre-diabetic)

Steps taken in Siddha Medicine to treat PCOS

• Diet (We ensure that important alterations are made to patient's dietary regimen; which typically ensures a high-protein, high-fibre & low-carb diet)

• Physical activity (The aim is reduce body fat %, and increase one's muscle mass)

  • The muscle is an endocrine organ which combats insulin resistance!

• Medicine: Certain medications like madhumega choornam (மதுமேக சூரணம்), kumari leghyam (குமரி இளகம்), shatavari leghyam (சதாவரி இளகம்) , seendhil choornam (சீந்தில் சூரணம்) are used to treat this condition. The choice of medicine is based on the patient's chronicity and their current symptoms.

• Monitoring of the condition

• Counselling: If patients suffer from clinical depression (based on the DSM 5 criteria), counselling will be added on to the treatment regimen.

• Varmam therapy (வர்ம மருத்துவம்) : For some patients, a 15-day varmam therapy protocol may be beneficial.