Changing lifestyle, stress, unhealthy eating habits and obesity are leading to a significant rise in the Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) among urban women, which is one of the major reasons for rising infertility in tier-I cities.
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition where imbalance in hormones - estrogen and progesterone – lead to cyst formation in the ovary. “PCOS is a vicious cycle. Abnormal hormone level leads to cyst in the ovary which further leads to hormonal imbalance, obesity and problems linked with fertility,” says Dr Gauri Devi, Senior Consultant & Head, Department of IVF & Endoscopy at Ridge fertility clinic.
“More than 60 per cent women who come to us for treatment of infertility have PCOS. Considering the single underlying reason for infertility in women, the figure is certainly worrying,” says Dr. Gauri.
Elaborating the link between high body weight and PCOS Dr. Nymphea Walecha, Senior Consultant of IVF & Endoscopy with Fortis Hospital says, “Obesity may not cause PCOS directly, however, being a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, glucose intolerance and dyslipidemia, obesity is ultimately associated with an increased risk of PCOS and a poor response to infertility treatment and is likely to increase the risk of pregnancy complications in women.”
