It has been observed that an increasing number of women in the reproductive age are suffering from a hormonal disorder called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), a disorder that can cause further health complications including diabetes and high blood pressure among others. In fact, it has been estimated that one in five women in India suffers from PCOS.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine system disorder affecting about 12-18% of women in the reproductive age. It is a complex syndrome, which causes most women to suffer in ignorance for years before they get diagnosed.
PCOS causes irregular periods, excessive male-type hair growth (hirsutism), thinning of scalp hair, male-type baldness, acne, obesity, difficulty in losing weight, dark patches of skin and infertility. The exact cause of PCOS is not known as yet. However, it is speculated that the syndrome occurs because of the interplay of genetic and environmental factors which hinders with the regular functioning of hormones in the body.
One of the main cause of PCOS is believed to be Insulin Resistance. Insulin is the hormone produced in the pancreas that allows the body to use sugar (glucose). Insulin resistance means that the normal levels of insulin are creating sub-normal effects, resulting in excess insulin being released. Excess insulin might affect the ovaries by increasing male hormone (androgen) production, which may interfere with the ovaries’ ability to release eggs/ovulation.
Early diagnosis of the syndrome can significantly improve the quality of lives of the women suffering from it and prevent life-long complications.
Conquer PCOS – CSR initiative by Metropolis Healthcare Limited
Metropolis Healthcare Limited in association with PCOS society of India has launched a CSR initiative, ‘Conquer PCOS’ with an aim to deal holistically with the syndrome, by providing a one-stop information solution to the patients. The initiative seeks to spread awareness about the syndrome in order to diagnose more women. It also seeks to offer support for women with PCOS and create a forum where women with PCOS can talk to each other and help one another in dealing with the condition.
Through the CSR initiative, the organisation provides accurate medical information using PCOS tracker to the patients. It also provides medical assistance and expert advice for those who need help to cope up with the symptoms. In addition to this, through the initiative, the organisation provides 100+ PCOS diet recipes and extensive exercise regimen to help women maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, in order to contain or prevent the disorder.
Impact of Conquer PCOS
Through multiple online and offline awareness programs, the initiative has have reached out to over 70,000 plus women and girls from 115 cities. Over 82 offline workshops have been conducted under the project, in colleges and institutes across India. In addition to this, about 36 online webinars and counselling sessions have been conducted so far, where young girls can directly speak to experts regarding their health concerns. More than 100 experts have participated in these sessions to provide timely guidance.
The Conquer PCOS site has acted as a one-stop solution for women with PCOS by providing diet interventions, exercise tips, dealing with anxiety and depression and with multiple other manifestations of PCOS.
