FAQ

Question 1

What is PCOS?

Answer

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman’s hormones. Women with PCOS produce excessive amounts of male hormones, which causes them to skip menstrual cycles. Based on a study, 1 in 5 Indian women have PCOS. However, most of the women who have PCOS do not know about it. This condition affects women’s reproductive organs - ovaries, which produce hormones that control the menstrual cycle. It is marked with abnormal fluid-filled cysts in the ovaries, irregular periods, and high levels of androgen (male hormones), weight gain, acne and more. PCOS may lead to infertility and increase the risk of miscarriages, diabetes, cardio-vascular disorders and endometrial cancer. Hence it is crucial to get this condition diagnosed by a doctor if you see any symptoms. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. Genes, insulin resistance, and systemic inflammation in the body are linked to increased androgen production.

Question 2

Can PCOS be reversed?

Answer

PCOS can not be treated with medication. Often, birth control pills are used for symptom management. However, hormonal birth control pills do not attack the root cause of the problem and induce periods through a mechanism called withdrawal bleeding. However, withdrawal bleeding is not the same as a natural period because it stops your body's natural ovulation. Fortunately, enough clinical evidence exists today that makes it possible to reverse your PCOS symptoms through lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, stress, and sleep management. However, there is no one size fits all advice one can apply when it comes to lifestyle management. Uvi Health's PCOS Management program is designed keeping this in mind. Through our customized program, we help women with PCOS lead a healthy and fulfilling life.

Question 3

How can Uvi Health help me manage my PCOS?

Answer

Our multi-disciplinary team of clinical nutritionists, gynecologists, and fitness instructors, has designed a program that takes science-backed best practices to help you start on a personalized journey for PCOS reversal. Our 3-month program will help you identify the triggers in your diet and environment that cause your hormones to go off-balance in the first place. We don't just offer you consults and leave you at that to take care of the rest. We walk the journey with you by providing you unlimited access to a wellness manager, routine fitness and mindfulness sessions and most importantly a community, where you can meet other women who are also managing their PCOS naturally.

Question 4

How is PCOS diagnosed?

Answer

PCOS can be complex, and women suffering from the disorder will exhibit a different combination of symptoms. For this reason, there is no single test for PCOS. The best way to diagnose PCOS is through the Rotterdam Criteria. Based on the Rotterdam Criteria, if you have 2 out of the following symptoms, it’s most likely you have PCOS.

1. Menstrual Irregularities - If you have <9 cycles per year, >35 days between cycles or irregular cycles, your menstrual cycle is considered irregular. 2. Hyperandrogenism - All women have androgen, a male hormone. Hyperandrogenism implies that have you excess androgen in your body. This becomes evident through acne, hair loss from head, excessive or sudden weight gain and abnormal hair growth on chin, neck, abdomen, back.
3. Polycystic Ovaries - Your ultrasound or sonography may reveal ovaries containing high density of partially mature follicles, typically 12 follicles or more.

Question 5

What are the different types of PCOS?

Answer

A common misconception around PCOS is that all women go through the same symptoms. There are four different types of PCOS depending on what is your underlying trigger for hormonal imbalance. These are classified as follows: 1. Insulin-Resistant PCOS - Being insulin-resistant means that your body doesn't respond well to the insulin. As a result, your pancreas make more insulin to help glucose enter your cells. Increase in insulin triggers your ovaries to produce more androgen, or male hormones.
2. Inflammatory PCOS - Inflammation happens when your body's natural immune system reacts to a foreign substance. Some foods can trigger inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation triggers your ovaries to make too much testosterone. 3. Adrenal PCOS - When you're understand extreme or chronic stress, your body's immune system responds by releasing more adrenaline and cortisol. This response also causes the ovaries to increase its androgen production.

4. Pill-Induced PCOS - Birth control pills work by releasing hormones which supress ovulation. Once you come off the pills, it takes a few months for your body to resume its natural course of ovulation. If this has not happened for you, then you have pill-induced PCOS.

Question 6

Would supplements help me reverse PCOS?

Answer

While diet and lifestyle alone can have significant impact in managing PCOS, targeted supplementation can also prove effective. What that means is that you should not take supplements without taking your clinical history and individualized lab results for nutritional deficiencies into account. Continue to monitor your lab results so as to not overdo supplements.