PCOS & Irregular Periods: When to See a Gynaecologist in Chinchwad

PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a common hormone condition that makes periods irregular and can affect weight, skin, hair and fertility. If your cycles are often shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days, and you also have acne, extra hair growth or weight gain, it is worth seeing a gynaecologist. It cannot be cured, but it can be managed well.

Many young women in Chinchwad, Pimpri and Akurdi tell me the same thing: “My periods have always been like this, so I thought it was normal.” Often it is not, and the cause can be treated. This guide is by Dr Bharati Patil, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Chetna Hospital, Chinchwad. It explains what PCOS is, which signs to watch for, and what a check-up involves.

What is PCOS, and how common is it?

The World Health Organization describes PCOS as a common hormonal disorder in which higher than normal androgen levels lead to irregular periods, abnormal ovulation, infertility, extra facial or body hair and acne. WHO estimates that it affects 10 to 13 percent of women of reproductive age worldwide. It also says that up to 70 percent of affected women remain undiagnosed, which is why many go years without help.

A note on the name: the NHS now calls the condition polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), and describes it as the condition previously called PCOS. You may see either name. This article uses PCOS, the name most people know.

Do I have “cysts” in my ovaries?

Usually not in the way people fear. The “cysts” are small follicles, each holding an immature egg, that stay on the ovary because ovulation is not happening regularly. They are not tumours, and they do not need surgery in most women.

What are the signs of PCOS?

PCOS looks different from one woman to the next. The NHS lists these common signs:

• Irregular periods or long gaps between them
• Extra hair on the face, chest or back, or thinning hair on the scalp
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Oily skin and acne
• Dark, thick patches of skin on the neck or armpits
• Difficulty getting pregnant
• Tiredness, low mood or anxiety

Symptoms usually begin in the teen years and can continue until menopause. Some women have only one or two of them, and some have none at all.

What counts as an irregular period?

The NHS says the average gap between periods is about 28 days. A cycle is considered irregular when the gap is less than 21 days or more than 35 days. Teenagers need a careful review, not a rushed label.

PCOS is only one cause. The same NHS page lists puberty, pregnancy, thyroid problems, big weight changes, stress, heavy exercise and some contraceptives, which is why tests come before treatment.

How does weight come into it?

Weight and PCOS affect each other. Many women with PCOS find that weight gathers around the waist and is hard to shift. The NHS advises a healthy balanced diet, regular exercise and weight loss if you are overweight, and notes that these measures help the symptoms. Women of normal weight can have PCOS too.

Small steps that fit Indian homes work best: whole grains and dal in place of refined flour, fewer sugary drinks and fried snacks, a daily walk and fixed sleep timings. Special diet products are not required.

Can PCOS affect pregnancy?

Yes, it is a common reason for delay in conceiving. The NHS explains that fertility is affected because the ovaries do not release an egg each month. It also lists treatment options, including clomifene to help ovulation and laparoscopic ovarian drilling, a keyhole procedure that uses heat or laser on the ovaries, when other approaches have not worked. WHO also lists fertility medicines and IVF among the options.

Many women with PCOS do conceive with the right plan, so an early visit is sensible if pregnancy is not happening. For wider causes of delay, read our guide to irregular periods after 30 and when they need medical attention.

What happens if PCOS is left untreated?

Ignoring it carries long-term costs. WHO notes that women with PCOS have higher risks of gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, sleep apnoea and thickening or cancer of the womb lining. The NHS also lists fatty liver disease. This is one reason very long gaps between periods should not be ignored.

None of this is certain to happen. It does mean a yearly check of blood pressure, sugar and cholesterol is worth doing.

How is PCOS diagnosed?

WHO says a diagnosis needs at least two of three features, after other causes have been excluded: raised androgens (visible signs or blood tests), irregular periods or no ovulation, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. The NHS adds that testing includes blood tests for hormone levels and insulin resistance and an ultrasound of the ovaries, and that the ultrasound is only done in people over 18.

What to bring to your first visit

A note of your recent period dates, any earlier blood tests or scans, and a list of your medicines.

What treatment options are available?

Treatment follows your main concern. The NHS treatment page and WHO describe the same broad approach:

• Lifestyle: balanced eating, regular exercise and weight management.
• For periods: the combined pill, a progestogen-only pill or a hormonal intrauterine system, to help regulate periods.
• For hair and acne: medicines that block androgens, along with hair removal methods. Skin care is covered in acne treatment by Dr Aishwarya Patil.
• For pregnancy: ovulation-inducing medicines or, in some women, a keyhole procedure or IVF.
• For mood: talking therapy where low mood or anxiety is present.

Each option has benefits and side effects, so the choice is made together after tests. Please do not start hormonal pills from a friend or an online forum.

When should I see a gynaecologist, and when is it an emergency?

Book a visit if your cycles are often shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days, if periods last more than 7 days, if you notice extra hair or acne along with irregular cycles, or if you have been trying to conceive without success. The NHS gives the same guidance for irregular periods.

Go to a hospital the same day if you have

• Very heavy bleeding that soaks through pads quickly, with dizziness, weakness or fainting
• Severe lower abdominal pain, especially with fever or vomiting
• A missed period with sudden one-sided pain or shoulder-tip pain, which can point to a pregnancy outside the womb
• Bleeding in pregnancy

Our note on what a gynaecologist visit in PCMC costs explains what to expect before you book. For heavy or long periods, fibroids are another cause, covered in our guide to uterine fibroids.

PCOS consultation near you in Chinchwad and PCMC

Dr Bharati Patil sees patients at Chetna Hospital, GP 116, Sambhaji Nagar Road, near Rotary Club, G Block, MIDC, Chinchwad, Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra 411019. Women come from Chinchwad, Pimpri, Akurdi, Nigdi, Pradhikaran, Thergaon, Kalewadi, Rahatani, Pimple Saudagar, Bhosari, Moshi, Ravet and across Pimpri-Chinchwad. You can also reach the team through our contact page.

Frequently asked questions

Is PCOS the same as having cysts in the ovaries?

Not exactly. PCOS is a hormone condition in which raised androgen levels disturb ovulation. Ovaries with many small follicles on a scan are only one of three possible signs, and a doctor needs two of the three to make the diagnosis. Some women with PCOS have normal-looking ovaries.

Can I get pregnant if I have PCOS?

Yes, many women with PCOS conceive. The difficulty is that the ovaries may not release an egg every month. Ovulation-inducing medicines such as clomifene, weight management and, in some women, a minor ovarian procedure can help. A gynaecologist can plan this with you after basic tests.

When should I see a gynaecologist for irregular periods?

See one if your cycle is often shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days, if periods last more than 7 days, or if you also have excess hair, acne, weight gain or trouble conceiving. Bleeding between periods or after sex also needs a check-up.

Does PCOS go away after marriage or pregnancy?

No. PCOS has no cure and does not disappear after marriage or a baby, though symptoms often change with age. The good news is that periods, skin, hair, weight and fertility can all be managed, and regular check-ups lower the long-term risks.

Where can I consult a gynaecologist for PCOS in Chinchwad or PCMC?

Dr Bharati Patil, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, consults at Chetna Hospital, Sambhaji Nagar Road, MIDC G Block, Chinchwad. Women from Pimpri, Akurdi, Nigdi, Bhosari, Ravet and Pimple Saudagar visit here. Bring your recent period dates and any earlier reports. Call or WhatsApp 91686 90447 to book a time.

Sources

• World Health Organization. Polycystic ovary syndrome: fact sheet.
• NHS. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), now called PMOS: overview, with its symptoms, diagnosis and treatment pages.
• NHS. Irregular periods.

This article is general health information and does not replace a consultation. Every woman’s condition is different.