The most prevalent hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This condition involves endocrine gland malfunction, which causes an increase in the production of male hormones (androgen), resulting in hormonal imbalance. PCOS causes cysts to develop in follicles with immature eggs, causing them to grow inside the ovaries and not mature. Failure to generate mature eggs can interfere with ovulation, resulting in infertility. PCOS has been linked to reproductive difficulties, infrequent or extended periods, weight gain, excessive body hair growth, and acne in women.
PCOS IN INDIA
India has experienced an increase in PCOS instances due to lifestyle changes and added pressures brought on by the virus. While this illness is growing more frequent among women, the symptoms may be controlled with correct medical treatment and good lifestyle choices including eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly.
According to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), one in every four women has PCOS, while one in every ten women between the ages of 35 and 49 has diabetes (the Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders).
HOW IS PCOS RELATED TO DIABETES?
Women with PCOS are more likely to acquire diabetes because hormonal imbalances caused by PCOS and obesity can lead to insulin resistance and compensatory hyperinsulinemia in the body, which is a known component in type 2 diabetes development. For women with PCOS, a lack of physical exercise, along with a poor diet and a stressful lifestyle, can contribute to obesity and hormonal disruption, which can lead to diabetes. Women with PCOS should maintain a balanced lifestyle that includes adequate food and exercise to keep their hormones in line and diabetes at bay.
PCOS is a condition in which a woman’s reproductive system does not operate correctly. According to some estimates, PCOS is directly or indirectly responsible for around 70% of female reproductive problems. Small fluid-filled sacs develop on the ovaries in PCOS, which can turn into cysts. It can result in poor egg quality and infrequent ovulation, lowering the odds of becoming pregnant.
Diabetes, on either side, can reduce women’s fertility by delaying the beginning of menstruation (or menarche). This can result in excessive sugar levels, which can accelerate ovarian ageing and lead to premature menopause. Diabetes is linked to menstrual irregularities, particularly in women of reproductive age. The likelihood of delayed periods or oligomenorrhea is directly related to blood glucose levels. As a result, diabetes can reduce a woman’s reproductive lifetime while simultaneously altering her biological clock.
HOW IS PCOS ASSOCIATED WITH SECONDARY INFERTILITY?
A much lesser-known impact of PCOS is secondary infertility. The World Health Organisation defines secondary infertility as “when a woman is unable to bear a child, either due to inability to become pregnant or inability to carry a pregnancy to a live birth following either a previous pregnancy or previous ability to carry a pregnancy to a live birth following either a previous pregnancy or previous ability to carry a pregnancy to a live birth.” In layman’s terms, Secondary Infertility is the inability to conceive for the second time.
It’s discouraging to know we don’t always know the reason behind secondary infertility. Lifestyle factors that cause infertility in the first place are likely to induce subsequent infertility, and vice versa. While some of these may manifest as problems early on (and thus be detected during primary infertility), others may not manifest until after one (or a few) successful pregnancies. Here are several possible reasons for infertility, both primary and secondary.
Hormonal imbalance (either too high or too low) due to PCOS is one of the reasons for secondary infertility due to the havoc on the brain-ovary connection. If the brain doesn’t provide the correct signals, the ovary won’t know it’s supposed to deliver an egg every month. Some of these hormonal imbalances may not show up until later in life. Hormonal imbalances can be caused by the thyroid, pituitary gland, or a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome. Besides increasing the risk of infertility, PCOS may also lead to other problems such as metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, endometrial cancer, and depression.
Making healthy lifestyle changes and choices can go a long way in curbing hormonal imbalances in the body and reducing the risk of diabetes, secondary infertility and other health complications that may be caused by PCOS. It is also advised to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment plans, especially if one is planning to conceive a child.
The writer is CEO and Co-Founder of Indira IVF.