What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that alters the functionality of the ovaries in women. By disturbing the levels of hormones, PCOS affects the regularity of ovulation which upsets the whole menstrual cycle.

 

 

The three main features of having PCOS include:

• Irregular periods.
• Increased levels of androgens.
• Polycystic ovaries.

Irregular periods indicate that the ovulation hasn’t been consistent due to which all the phases of the menstrual cycle are disturbed.
Androgens are the reproductive hormones that are present in both male and female bodies. However, these hormones are present in a greater amount in males which is why they are called the male sex hormones. In PCOS, the levels of androgen increase which results in manly characteristics in women including excess facial and body hair.

The last feature of Polycystic ovary syndrome is that the ovaries of the patient get enlarged and numerous fluid-filled sacs are formed in the ovaries. These sacs contain developing eggs. They are known as follicles. The follicles stop releasing eggs regularly which results in irregular ovulation. This last feature is where things get confusing because it contradicts the name of the condition. The P in PCOS stands for “polycystic”, however, there are no cysts in the ovaries in PCOS. Rather, there are fluid-filled sacs.

 

PCOS and Its Challenges for Women in Pakistan

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder worldwide, affecting 4-18% of women of reproductive age. Unfortunately, the percentage of women affected by PCOS is much higher in Pakistan and is about 52%.

Having half of the percentage of women affected by the condition, Pakistan still lacks sound management and awareness programs on the topic of which women with the condition suffer. Some of the highlighted challenges faced by women of Pakistan are:

Negligence of doctors

One of the main problems faced by women with PCOS is the negligence of doctors. A patient cannot diagnose their condition but rather can only inform the doctors about the symptoms. Unfortunately, a vast majority of gynecologists in Pakistan are more drawn toward pregnant women and discriminate among “married” and “unmarried” women. Due to this discrimination, young patients do not get enough attention and their condition remains undiagnosed. This leads to the progression of the disease which further increases the complications for women.

 

Lack of awareness of adults

Pakistan has been behind many countries when it comes to sexual education. There are many taboos attached to sexual and reproductive health. Due to this, a lack of awareness regarding PCOS greatly exists, especially among adults. This leads to neglect in the recognition of symptoms that worsen the condition. The symptoms of PCOS are similar to that of the normal signs that arise during puberty. Acne and the emergence of hair on the face and body are thus not taken seriously. As a result of the lack of awareness of adults, everything is blamed on bad eating habits and the sedentary lifestyle of young women, leading them to get no medical attention.

Insensitive comments on acne, weight, and unwanted hair

Major symptoms of PCOS include acne, weight gain, and an increased amount of unwanted hair on the chin, neck, and chest. Women of Pakistan face unsolicited and insensitive comments on this matter which reflects adversely on their mental health and self-confidence.

The shyness of women in seeking help

Since PCOS is a reproductive disorder, women of Pakistan feel shy in seeking help for this condition. This again is due to the lack of sexual awareness and the attached taboos to sexual health. A majority of people have this mindset that a woman should only consult a gynecologist when she is pregnant or trying to get pregnant. This also aids in the avoidance of young or unmarried women towards getting attention for PCOS or other reproductive disorders.

Fear of judgment

Keeping the taboos in mind, Pakistani women having PCOS struggle to discuss their condition with adults and often with doctors as well. Irregular, delayed periods and other related symptoms create the fear of judgment in women, hindering them from getting PCOS treatment.

Possible ways to mitigate the challenges faced by women with PCOS

Considering the upsetting susceptibility ratio of women in Pakistan to PCOS, serious and immediate measures are required to mitigate the challenges faced by women in seeking treatment. Following are some ways that can be incorporated at both personal and higher levels to ease it for women with PCOS.

Highlighting the importance of sexual and reproductive education in schools

It is high time to emphasize the importance of sexual and reproductive education in Pakistan. This lacking not only intensifies the already existing taboos but also leads to the formation of guilt complexes surrounding sexual experiences. Other significant adverse effects of lack of reproductive health include unwanted pregnancies and limited knowledge surrounding contraception. Sound, appropriate, and timely sexual and reproductive education can decrease these problems and can ultimately lower the challenges for women having PCOS.

Creating a dialogue among adults about PCOS

Not only children and young people require sexual and reproductive education, but also the adults which missed it prior. This can decrease the challenges for themselves and can also help them to understand the problems of their children or fellow women. Proper counseling or even simple at-home discussions can help them understand the symptoms of women with PCOS. This will not only make them more empathetic towards other women but can also put a significant decrease in the insensitive comments on things like facial hair or acne.

Show empathy towards the patients with PCOS

Knowing that PCOS can have a significant impact on both the mental and physical health of women, it is important for people, especially doctors to be more empathetic towards patients having PCOS. This will aid in their confidence and can empower them to fight the challenges of PCOS.

Make sure you educate yourself and the women around you

Even if you were not educated formally about PCOS, or reproductive health, in this era of modernization and innovation, getting informed on any topic is literally on the tip of your fingers. Thousands of web pages are available at just one click which can equip you with all the required information on PCOS. However, it is important to know which sites are credible as false information can do more harm than good.

 

 

Educating women in rural areas

In rural Sindh, only 23% of women are literate. Due to strong traditional culture, poverty, lack of understanding, and lack of resources, the remaining 85% of rural Sindh’s female population is denied access to basic education. Women in rural areas of Pakistan are almost entirely uninformed when it comes to reproductive or sexual education. In a condition like PCOS, whose symptoms are quite similar to the normal signs of aging and maturing, women of rural areas struggle to pinpoint them. Considering the low literacy rates, women cannot access, read or understand the material present on the internet which makes PCOS more challenging for them. Educating women in rural areas using their mother tongue is important.

 

Use of telemedicine

Telemedicine is the allocation of healthcare services electronically using modern innovation and technology. It helps patients access healthcare services remotely and on the go. This practice got immense popularity during COVID-19 considering the necessity of healthcare and worldwide lockdowns. Online consultations can help you overcome your shyness and the fear of being judged. It will also save your time, and commute expenses, and will help you avoid extensive explanations to the family members about the checkup.

 

How Sehat Kahani can help in this journey?

Sehat Kahani is a telemedicine platform that strives to connect online doctors to patients using chat, audio, and video consultation at affordable rates. Sehat Kahani is providing a safe medium for women where they can ask any questions related to PCOS in the comfort of their homes. We have many qualified female gynecologists who are here to assist you any time you want. We also ensure to cater to the feedback of our patients to maintain the quality of consultations. With this quality assurance provided by Sehat Kahani, you can feel free to consult without the fear of being judged.

Takeaways

PCOS is an endocrine disorder that is quite common in Pakistan. However, due to the overall negligence of the masses of Pakistan towards reproductive health and sexual education, many challenges arise for women with PCOS. Sehat Kahani is playing its role in easing it for women using their telemedicine platform. However, a combined effort of healthcare as well as the educational system is required to further facilitate women with PCOS.

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