The PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) society was launched in the city to help women get better treatment for the syndrome. The presentation of the need to holistically treat women suffering from PCOS was explained by Dr Duru Shah, Scientific Director of Gynaecworld and Founder President the PCOS Society at a press conference.
She said, “Detecting PCOS is a tough task since it is multiple diseases all together. Dr Rama Vaidya was the first person to create awareness of it in India in 2011. There are various stages at which PCOS is detected. Irregular periods in adolescents, infertility and early pregnancy loss, hypertension, gestational diabetes during child bearing years are symptoms. In women, nearing menopause metabolic syndrome is a symptom along with lethargy.
Further explaining the need for society, Dr Shah said, “A PCOS patient tends to go to different doctors to deal with various symptoms. The gynaecologist, the endocrinologist, the dermatologist, the nutritionist, the dietician are all doctors that a patient would go to for treatment. We are aiming to create a society which helps the doctors understand the syndrome better.”
Adding to what Dr Shah said, Dr Anuja Dokras, President of the Androgen Excess and PCOS Society as well as the Director, Penn Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Center USA said, “The first PCOS case came to light in 1935, but it has taken years for us doctors to understand the genetic links. The diagnosis of PCOS is very complicated. There is a spectrum of genes involved, patients as well as doctors need to be educated.”
Dr Shashank Joshi, Vice President, The PCOS Society, President Elect, Endocrine Society of India said, “PCOS is like diabetes of the ovaries. It is a lifestyle related illness. We see many cases of lean women suffering from PCOS. They have more muscle and less fat. The fast food culture, less of protein in diet today is a major factor. Women need to eat right and exercise more.”
“PCOS can affect women between 10 to 50 years. Pigmentation of skin is a new symptom that I have seen in PCOS patients in the city. A woman needs to keep her eyes open to various symptoms. The disease never stops — excess acne, hair on the face are major symptoms,” says Dr Rekha Sheth, Founder President, Cosmetology Society of India and Vice President, the PCOS Society.
“There is a need to remove fear of the disorder from women. Earlier, it was known as a disease but now we call it a syndrome. This is because it includes a cluster of diseases that affect a woman. Better quality of life needs to be encouraged. Correct management is needed as well as more studies on PCOS needs to be done,” ends Dr Shah.