According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are more than 116 million women who are affected by PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome worldwide in 2021. But as prevalent as it seems, most of us have never heard of this condition, which begs the question: what exactly is PCOS?
What is PCOS?
Women are more prone to suffer from the negative effects of STDs and PCOS is the same. PCOS is a hormonal disorder that usually affects women of reproductive age. It’s when a woman’s ovaries release an excessive amount of androgens, which are hormones that are more common in males. This causes cysts to grow in the ovaries resulting in irregular cycles or missed periods. Another common cause of PCOS can also be related to your body’s inability to use insulin well, leading to the rise of your androgen levels and the onset of PCOS.
How do you know if you have PCOS?
Some of the most common symptoms of PCOS include the following:
- Irregular or very light periods
- Ovaries that are larger than normal or have too many cysts
- Excessive body hair on the stomach, chest, back, and face
- Weight gain, especially in the belly area
- Oily skin and acne
- Thinning hair or baldness
- Dark or thick patches of skin on the nape, armpits, and breasts
While one or two of the symptoms might not mean anything, experiencing more than a few of the above symptoms might point toward PCOS. People who experience symptoms that revolve around their period cycles and irregularities of the ovaries would be well advised to seek medical attention.
How does PCOS affect women?
Since PCOS affects the female reproductive organs, there are various ways it negatively impacts female sexual health, some of which are listed below:
1. Your period shows up almost always unexpectedly.
It can be very inconvenient with unexpected menstrual flow. Not only does it become a constant form of discomfort, it can also cause anxiety and worry. Your plans of getting past third base with your partner can be ruined anytime, all thanks to your menstruation’s sporadic flow.
2. You don’t get turned on easily.
More than half of women with PCOS suffer from some form of sexual dysfunction. A study published in an Iranian journal explained that women participants complained of problems in sexual desire or arousal. While it might have nothing to do with sensitivity and more to do with mental frustration and worry, PCOS negatively impacts a lady’s sex life.
3. You tend to be overly insecure about your body.
A negative side effect of PCOS is a result of increased testosterone levels where women with this condition can sprout extra hair on unlikely body parts, including the face, back, chest, and legs. To make matters worse, PCOS can also cause excessive hair fall or even baldness, acne, and weight gain. Such a sudden onset of these conditions can create extreme anxiety, worry and a lack of self-confidence in patients.
4. Getting pregnant may not be easy.
Because your sex hormones are out of order and your irregular periods, ovulation doesn’t happen at the same time every month. While pregnancy is not easy to achieve for normal couples, ladies with this condition can have an even harder time getting the right timing to conceive.
Conclusion
It’s important for women, especially those who are more than 20 years old, to take good care of their reproductive health. There are various treatments and medications that you can take to help minimise the effects of PCOS, especially if it is found out early.
Still, it isn’t just the ladies who should be concerned about their health as STDs and other conditions can affect both genders. Don’t be afraid to reach out if you have questions or have any concerns. Elyon Clinic is a women’s and men’s health clinic in Singapore and are glad to help you through, ensuring that strict anonymity and confidentiality is assured on our patient’s behalf.
