1 in 4 Indian women suffers from ovarian cysts: AIIMS

Studies conducted by the health experts at AIIMS have revealed that one in every four women in India is suffering from Poly Cystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. The data reveals that around 25 per cent women in the country are suffering from PCOS which is higher than that of the USA and several European countries. To find the exact disease burden and prevalence, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is conducting a nation-wide study.

Dr M Ashraf Ganie, assistant professor of endocrinology at AIIMS, said, “The available data about PCOS shows that 20 to 25 per cent of Indian women of childbearing age are suffering from the syndrome, while in the USA and European countries this number ranges between four to 10 per cent and two per cent respectively.”

According to Dr Ganie, it has been found that 60 per cent of the women with PCOS are obese, whereas 35 to 50 per cent have fatty liver.

“About 70 per cent have insulin resistance and 60 to 70 per cent have high level of androgen and 40 to 60 per cent have glucose intolerance,” he said.

Health experts at AIIMS, while monitoring patients at its out patient department (OPD), have discovered that insulin resistance is an integral part of PCOS and that women with the syndrome are at a higher risk of diabetes. “Insulin resistance has been recognised as a risk factor for diabetes and may be the earliest detectable abnormality in individuals who proceed to develop diabetes,” said Dr Ganie.

The symptoms of PCOS are irregular menstrual periods, irregular ovulation, hirsutism, weight gain, hair loss and oily skin or acne. They vary from women to women, thus making the diagnosis delayed or confusing.

“PCOS is also associated with an increased risk of developing health problems in later life such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, metabolic syndrome, NASG and sleep apnea. However, it has been seen that 50 per cent of the affected women are not aware of it because of which they are also unaware that are prone to diabetes,” said Dr Nutan Agarwal, professor of gynaecology at AIIMS.