Debunking 7 Biggest PCOS Myths

Apr 2, 2021

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Debunking 7 Biggest PCOS Myths : Women’s health, either mental or physical, is crucial for their overall wellbeing. Talking about the physical health of females, the reproductive health of females is of utmost importance.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is one of the common female reproductive tract disorders that is affecting thousands of people around the world. PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome is a common disorder that affects the functioning of female ovaries.

Common symptoms of PCOS include:

Irregular or missed periods
Polycystic ovaries
Unintended weight gain
Male pattern baldness
Acne breakouts
Dark and thick skin patches on various parts of the body
Excess hair growth on areas including stomach, chest and back
Infertility

PCOS- A Widely Misunderstood Health Condition

Though the exact cause of PCOS is unknown it can be in your genetics. Even though PCOS is a common medical condition in women, there is very little knowledge on PCOS prevention and management.

My friend went to Lahore top gynecologists after she was accidentally diagnosed with PCOS during a scan for kidney stones. Every other doctor she visited had a different story to tell that along with all other myths left her hopeless. All these myths make it one of the most under-diagnosed and misunderstood conditions.

Common Myths about PCOS

Here are some of the common PCOS myths to improve your understanding of PCOS.

PCOS cannot occur if your ovaries are not polycystic
This claim arises from the name of the disease. Just as the name of diseases says polycystic ovarian syndrome, so one must necessarily possess polycystic ovaries for the confirmation of disease. However, polycystic ovaries are just one of the clinical features of diseases. Other than polycystic ovaries, increases in the level of male hormones in the body and irregular menstrual cycle are other features of diseases.
You are responsible for it
Though the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, it is often believed that the person suffering from PCOS is responsible for it. Someone blames your lifestyle habits for it while others will tell you that it’s due to being overweight. However, it is important to consider that PCOS isn’t solely dependent upon a single factor, several factors collectively play their role in the onset of PCOS including your genetics etc.
PCOS can be treated with weight loss
The discussion on PCOS treatment is often closed by saying weight loss is the only possible solution. Remember no treatment can reverse the condition rather it can only help to make the disease manageable. In obese or overweight people, weight reduction can help to reduce the levels of male hormones that ultimately managed disease signs and symptoms. You can treat PCOS with lifestyle changes alongside relying on birth control pills and fertility medications.
PCOS make you infertile
Well, PCOS is the disease of the reproductive system but it doesn’t take away your fertility as most people assume it. PCOS can affect a female reproductive potential but it doesn’t make her infertile. Your gynecologist can make a fertility assessment considering your PCOS complications and tell you how you can get help with fertility. Fertility supplements and other assisted fertility procedures are increasing the chances of females getting pregnant with PCOS.
PCOS only affect overweight women
Though many people who suffer from PCOS are overweight or obese not all women with PCOS have a similar condition. Obesity is one of the contributors to PCOS and can increase the chances of females getting affected by PCOS. However, this isn’t the case always as PCOS can affect women of all weights.
If your menstrual cycle is regular, you are suffering from PCOS
This is not true at all. Menstrual irregularity could be due to hundreds of causes and PCOS is just one of them. Thus, you can’t always associate menstrual irregularity with PCOS. It takes a complete medical analysis of a person alongside different diagnostic procedures to confirm the disease.
All PCOS women will have diabetes in future
Another common misconception on PCOS says that all women suffering from PCOS will ultimately have metabolic complications in future such as diabetes. However, the risk of diabetes isn’t the same in all women and can vary from person to person. However, lifestyle changes and weight management is an effective solution to make disease manageable.

Conclusion

PCOS is a common reproductive disorder in females and is known to affect millions of women around the globe. However, PCOS isn’t your life sentence for feeling bad about yourself. You can opt for simple lifestyle changes along with proper medication and weight management to live a healthy life with PCOS.