Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) it is a hormonal imbalance that can result in serious mental health problems such as anxiety, sadness, obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), and eating disorders, as well as infertility, obesity, and facial hair in women. It is a complex disorder that affects a person’s physical as well as emotional health. anxiety and depression they are almost three times more common in patients with PCOS than in the general population. Many studies have shown a direct connection between certain characteristics of PCOS and mental health in recent years, drawing attention to the complex interaction between PCOS and psychosocial problems. The scientific literature now unequivocally demonstrates that PCOS-positive women have significantly higher levels of anxiety, psychological distress, depressive symptoms, and social phobias. (Also read: PCOS in Adolescent Girls: Identifying Signs and Symptoms, Lifestyle, and Dietary Tips to Control It )
In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr. Manisha Tomar, Senior Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Motherhood Hospital, Noida, shared detailed information about how PCOS affects your mental health.
How does PCOS affect your mental health?
Neurotransmitters are chemicals that send signals throughout the brain and nervous system. Serotonin is a chemical messenger within the nervous system that is associated with positive feelings. In people with PCOS, serotonin and other neurotransmitters are often low, so they experience increased symptoms of despair and anxiety.
Symptoms of PCOS include:
● Irregular or non-existent menstruation
● Infertility
● Weight gain (especially around the waist)
● Increased facial acne
● skin tags
● Excessive body and facial hair
● Excessive hair loss
● Darkening of the skin
● depression
● Anxiety
● Mood swings
● sleep poorly
Possible reasons for the SOP:
● Genetics
● Insulin resistance
● Autoimmunity
● Obesity
How to treat PCOS and related mental disorders?
A key component of PCOS treatment includes treating conditions such as obesity, hirsutism, acne, or infertility. Treatment may include lifestyle changes or medications. The regulation of hormones through medications and lifestyle changes such as exercise and maintaining a healthy body weight help the general well-being of the person suffering from PCOS.
● Maintain a healthy body weight
Maintaining a healthy weight can be a constant challenge for people with PCOS. The body has difficulty using the hormone insulin when someone has PCOS, which can cause a buildup of insulin and glucose (sugar) in the bloodstream. Insulin resistance is an accumulation that is frequently associated with obesity. Along with control of blood sugar levels and regular exercise and physical activity, dietary adjustments, especially carbohydrate restriction, may be beneficial.
● Regulation of hormones with medication
A hormonal intrauterine device or oral contraceptive pill are some of the birth control alternatives that can help control irregular periods related to PCOS. Additionally, people with insulin resistant PCOS may benefit from nutrients such as inositol and medications such as metformin. You should talk to your OB/GYN or other health professional about these possibilities.
● Alternative therapies
Practices such as meditation/mindfulness, yoga, guided relaxation, breathing exercises, and acupuncture are some of the factors that help depression and anxiety.
PCOS and mental health often go hand in hand. With treatment, you can gently minimize the symptoms of both conditions. Talk to your doctor about the right treatment for you. This may include medications and lifestyle changes for both PCOS and depression, and talk therapy for depression.
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