Integrated treatment necessary to deal with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Experts

An integrated treatment is necessary to deal with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), said health experts at a seminar. 

They also highlighted the challenges faced by Bangladeshi patients in finding the right doctors for PCOS treatment. If there is unwanted hair on the face, they remove it by laser treatment but the disease is not cured. This hormonal problem cannot be solved by laser treatment only.

Primarily, patients should see an endocrinologist for diagnosis and treatment of the disease as it is directly related to hormonal and metabolic problems. Later, if necessary, the endocrinologist can refer patients to a gynaecologist, dermatologist, infertility consultant or other specialists.

The Association of Clinical Endocrinologists and Diabetologists of Bangladesh (ACEDB) organised the seminar on World PCOS Awareness Month 2023 at Dhaka Club on Monday.

Professor Dr Fariduddin, president of ACEDB and founder chair of the Department of Endocrinology, said there are treatments for PCOS. After receiving treatment, women will have regular periods and can conceive. Unwanted facial hair will also be removed. PCOS requires combined progesterone.

Doctors also recommended weight loss and regular physical activity as lifestyle changes that can help manage PCOS. The treatment of PCOS includes medications such as pills to control menstruation, laser therapy for removing unwanted hair and metformin medication to control metabolic problems.

Treatment of infertility requires individual attention to patients. Providing all treatment under one roof in PCOS clinics in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University or large hospitals can reduce the suffering of the patients.

Health experts said the prevalence of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is increasing among reproductive-age women in Bangladesh as a result of unhealthy lifestyles and obesity, and PCOS is poised to become the leading disease burden in Bangladesh if not addressed immediately, said health experts at a seminar.

Professor Indrajit Prasad, head of the Endocrinology Department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital, said one in every 10 women in the world is affected by PCOS. Its symptoms begin to manifest in the teenage years after the onset of menstruation. The most common signs and symptoms of PCOS include irregular periods, abnormal facial hair, acne, obesity, cysts, and infertility.

"Women with PCOS are more likely to develop certain serious health problems. These include type-2 diabetes, high blood pressure, problems with the heart and blood vessels, and uterine cancer. The patient may also suffer from various mental diseases," he added.