Couples whose attempts at parenthood do not succeed are already stressed and PCOS can only add to it. Our experts today are here to assure couples that there is no reason to despair as there is a way forward. In today’s discussion with our four medical experts, we take a look at an issue that affects almost 20% of the women in India – polycystic ovarian syndrome or as we know it, PCOS – and how it affects those couples who are looking at becoming parents via IVF. They help us understand the causes of this syndrome, how to identify it, the need to seek medical help and the lifestyle changes that will help.
As we started learning about PCOS, Dr Shital Punjabi, Founding Director at Shashwat IVF & Women’s Hospital, Ahmedabad, shed light on how it is a syndrome and affects the woman’s body from head to toe. Some of the symptoms she mentions are crankiness, irregular and scanty periods, and weight gain among other things. At a later stage, she says, the girl might face problems in conceiving if PCOS is not addressed in time. A revelation she has is that it is not necessary all girls suffer from this syndrome or that all who do experience all the symptoms, these are just indicative of the fact that medical intervention is needed.
Moving forward Dr Krithika Devi, Senior Consultant at NOVA IVF Fertility MRC Nagar, Chennai, clears the fact that women who have PCOS need not worry about becoming mothers, since it is possible. Couples often conceive naturally too, if the woman has PCOS. Even with IVF, the success rate is fairly good. “The most common medical issue seen with women with PCOS during an IVF treatment is ovarian hyperstimulation. That is, the body produces a lot of eggs, which might lead to abdomen pain and discomfort. The positive part is there are many eggs to work with, based on their quality,” she elaborates.
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Half the battle is won when the woman is already aware of the condition is getting it treated. Dr Kalyanai Shrimali, Senior Consultant Reproductive Medicine at NOVA IVF, Indore, points out that awareness is a wonderful way to start. “The IVF treatment is always teamwork between the couples and the consulting doctor. We always counsel the couple for lifestyle changes that will help. Of course, these can’t happen overnight, but the willingness and drive to do it will improve the chances of success,” she says. She also mentions that PCOS increases the stress hormones, so any positive lifestyle changes will help reduce stress levels and improve the ability to conceive.
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As is understood, counselling of the couples who are already stressed about becoming parents, is extremely crucial in such cases. Dr Hitendra Somani, Director at Nirmal IVF & Test Tube Baby Centre, Bhavnagar, says that he advises couples to address basic issues life stress, diet, lifestyle and addiction issues, if any. “Eventually, couples do become pregnant, but the ride is a bit bumpier than usual, due to PCOS, so they have to be very careful in avoiding complications and adhering to the medication schedule,” he says. In this entire journey, the most important person who needs to be by the side of the woman is the life partner. “The partner and family members must understand that the lady is not only going through physical stress but also a lot of emotional upheaval, and she needs support most at this time.”All the doctors agreed on the fact that PCOS can be treated and will not form a major hindrance if it is caught young, and addressed properly. They also suggested that the best way to address it is with the help of a medical practitioner and appropriate lifestyle changes for the long term.
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