This Morning is warning people to check if they could have PCOS, also known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
A doctor has warned women on TV that they may have a common condition and not even know it. Dr Nitu Bajeka – a consultant gynaecologist – told viewers on This Morning that they should see a GP if they recognise certain symptoms.
The condition is little known but affects many. She said: “PCOS or polycystic over syndrome is the most common hormonal disorder to affect women.”
She said that “at least one and 10 women suffer from it, probably many more have it – in fact, anybody who’s listening now will know someone with the condition. Getting a diagnosis isn’t as simple as taking a blood test either – with the health expert revealing that, sadly, you may never get a diagnosis.
When asked about the cause of PCOS, Dr Bajeka said there is no known explanation but it does run in families. According to the NHS: “It’s related to abnormal hormone levels in the body, including high levels of insulin.
“Insulin is a hormone that controls sugar levels in the body. Many women with PCOS are resistant to the action of insulin in their body and produce higher levels of insulin to overcome this. This contributes to the increased production and activity of hormones like testosterone. Being overweight or obese also increases the amount of insulin your body produces.”
What are the symptoms of PCOS?
Dr Bajeka said: “The most classic symptom of course is delayed periods – so long cycles without periods. So anyone who doesn’t have cycles within 24 to 35 days or who is having, regularly, 40 to 45 days periods, or are coming once in three months – that’s a big indicator. But PCOS is a diagnosis of exclusion which means you do have to rule out other conditions.”
Other signs and symptoms of PCOS, which often become apparent during your late teens or early 20s include:
- difficulty getting pregnant as a result of irregular ovulation or no ovulation
- excessive hair growth (hirsutism) – usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks
- weight gain
- thinning hair and hair loss from the head
- oily skin or acne
PCOS is also associated with an increased risk of developing health problems in later life, such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol levels.
How are you diagnosed with PCOS and what are the criteria?
A diagnosis of PCOS can usually be made if other rare causes of the same symptoms have been ruled out and you meet at least 2 of the following 3 criteria:
- you have irregular periods or infrequent periods – this indicates that your ovaries do not regularly release eggs (ovulate)
- blood tests showing you have high levels of “male hormones”, such as testosterone (or sometimes just the signs of excess male hormones, even if the blood test is normal)
- scans showing you have polycystic ovaries
The NHS state: “As only 2 of these need to be present to diagnose PCOS, you will not necessarily need to have an ultrasound scan before the condition can be confirmed”. For further help, visit the NHS website here.
