Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman’s hormones. Women with PCOS produce excessive amounts of male hormones and which also affects the way ovaries work.

According to study, 1 in 5 women have PCOS. However, most of the women who have PCOS aren’t even aware about it which makes it even more challenging. It is very important to get diagnosed at the right time to avoid combordities & to start managing it through the right dietary & lifestyle changes & medication if required.

PCOS can be complex to diagnose as the symptoms can mask various other diseases and therefore there is no single test for PCOS. You doctor may suggest different combination of tests according to your symptoms-

The 3 main features of PCOS are-

• Irregular periods– which means your ovaries do not regularly release eggs (ovulation)
• Excess androgen – high levels of "male" hormones in your body, which may cause physical signs such as excess facial or body hair
• Polycystic ovaries – your ovaries become enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs (follicles) that surround the eggs (but despite the name, you do not actually have cysts if you have PCOS)

If you have at least 2 of these features, you may be diagnosed with PCOS(According to NHS UK)

PCOS women are often insulin resistant which in turn triggers a lot of related symptom

Research has shown healthy eating habits and regular physical activity helps to manage PCOS.

Focusing on whole-grains, fruits, vegetables, lean protein foods and low-fat or fat-free milk, cheese or yogurt can help you to manage both your weight and your blood sugar.

A healthy eating plan for women with PCOS includes:

• Four to five meals or snacks daily, including breakfast. Don’t skip meals.
• A variety of foods from all the MyPlate food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, protein foods and dairy. When choosing sources of fat, focus on healthful choices like olive and canola oils, walnuts, almonds and avocados.
• Protein at all meals and snacks. Try nut butters, lean meats, fish, tofu, beans, lentils and low-fat dairy products.
• Healthy beverages such as water, low-fat or fat-free milk or a fortified soy beverage

Regular physical activity can help alleviate symptoms of PCOS. Get moving with at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week. Increase muscle mass with strength-training exercises at least two times a week. Doing workouts you enjoy and which do not overstress you are the game changers.

Targeted supplements can make all the difference in PCOS symptoms. As the dosages & the time period of consuming them depends on the amount of deficiencies and many other factors so it is very important to take medical advice before taking supplements & add them to your diet.

If left untreated, PCOS may lead to infertility and increase the risk of miscarriages, diabetes, cardio-vascular disorders and endometrial cancer. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. Genes, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation in the body are linked to increased androgen production which may trigger PCOS symptoms.