These 5 things you should know if you have PCOS

As a fertility specialist with in one of the best IVF centre in New Delhi NCR, Mother’s Lap IVF Centre , many of my patients come to me with these questions and concerns. So today, I’ll be speaking to you about the top 5 things you need to know about this surprisingly common condition.

Firstly, what is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects up to 1 in 8 women of reproductive age in India. It is caused by a complex interplay of hormonal imbalance between the hypothalamus, pituitary gland, ovaries and the various other organs in the body.

The resulting signs and symptoms might include:

- Fertility issues

- Menstrual disturbance

- Mood changes

- Excessive hair growth

- Acne

- Obesity

So, what are the top 5 things you need to know about PCOS?

1. Difficulty in getting pregnant

Anovulation, which is essentially the failure of the follicles in the ovaries to release eggs, is one of the main problems connected to PCOS. Menstrual abnormalities or occasionally the entire lack of periods (amenorrhea) may be the result of this. As you may see, this would not only make it challenging to organise your sexual activities and watch the timing of your ovulation, but it might also make it impossible for fertilisation to take place.

2. Start with the basic

Obesity is one of the main effects of the hormonal imbalance associated with PCOS. It has been demonstrated that a small weight loss of 5–10% of body weight could aid in ovulation improvement and the regulation of reproductive hormones. The initial line of treatment should be lifestyle management, and it may only need doing basic things like eating well and exercising regularly to trigger ovulation and aid in conception.

Do you know the best Indian Diet plan for PCOS Women?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a growing concern among Indian women, leading to irregular periods, weight gain, acne, and infertility. As a gynecologist and IVF expert, I’ve seen how powerful a PCOS-friendly Indian diet can be in managing this condition naturally.

PCOS is closely linked to insulin resistance, which causes hormonal imbalance. Managing this through nutrition is key. A low glycemic index diet — rich in fiber, protein, and complex carbs — helps stabilize blood sugar and support weight loss.

What Should Women with PCOS Eat?

1. Start your day smart: Begin with soaked almonds or walnuts and a glass of methi water. These help improve insulin sensitivity.

2. Choose complex carbs: Replace white rice and maida with whole grains like brown rice, jowar, bajra, and ragi. These slow-digesting carbs help regulate blood sugar levels.

3. Add protein to every meal: Include dals,

This diet can help you manage PCOD

Many people do not know about PCOD, though it is a common medical condition among women of reproductive age. One in every ten women has it. Polycystic ovary disease (PCOD) causes metabolism and hormonal imbalance due to which you have irregular periods and pile on weight which is hard to lose.

A high number of women discover they have PCOD when they have issues conceiving. It is usually detected while undergoing ultrasound or blood tests.

This condition has to be managed through medications and lifestyle changes. If you or your loved ones suffer from PCOD, this article will surely help. Here, I am going to discuss about the dietary tips helpful in managing PCOD.

But first, let’s understand what PCOD is?

PCOD is a medical condition where the ovaries produce immature eggs, which turn into small cysts over time. Due to this, there is hormonal imbalance leading to diabetes, acne, excessive hair growth, and infertility.

There is no cure for PCOD, but with medications, alternative therapies, and lifestyle changes, doctors can control PCOD. Apart from this, women having PCOD who are typically overweight are advised to exercise regularly to keep their weight in check.

What are the causes and symptoms of PCOD?

Ovarian Cancer & Fertility: What to Know?

World Cancer Day is on 4th February. Today Let’s discuss about ovarian cancer which is the cancer in the ovaries a female organ that produces eggs for reproduction. If you’ve been diagnosed with ovarian cancer, you already have plenty to worry about from surgery and the following treatment to how you are going to cover the cost. So when women with ovarian cancer learn that their treatment plan may cause them to become infertile, it is yet another blow that can cause stress and worry. But how does ovarian cancer and its treatment impact fertility? And are there any family building options for women after completing treatment? 

Different Treatment Plans Can Have Different Impacts on Fertility

Depending on your particular type of ovarian cancer, your treatment plan and its impact on your fertility can vary. For some women, their type of ovarian cancer can require a full hysterectomy – removal of the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and

PCOS diagnosis leads to pregnancy

As we all know that every year September is PCOS awareness month that is being considered all over the world. Many people doesn’t even know that they aware suffering from PCOS; such is a case of Mrinalani Bansal(34), a housewife living with PCOS since teenage till her husband Sudhir Bansal recognized her symptoms in an article he was reading by Dr Shobha Gupta about the PCOS is one of the reason for not being able to conceive and how IVF treatment helps in conceiving.

Having periods just once or twice in a year with very less flow had become the normal for Mrinalani though she as living with the two classic symptoms on PCOS that is irregular periods and unwanted hair growth. 

Early PCOS diagnosis would have helped

“When I couldn’t get pregnant I felt as though I had failed as a woman,if I had been more aware of my PCOS symptoms I would have got advice sooner than I did.” said Mrinalani.

About 30% of female infertility cases observed today are due to polycystic ovaries. Majority of these cases fall under the age group of 20-30 years. Hence, it becomes very important for young women to be aware of their body and the symptoms

Can PCOS/PCOD curable in a natural way?

According to a report published by Metropolis healthcare, one in every 5 woman in India is suffering from PCOS. Having PCOD (polycystic ovarian diseases) or PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is very common today especially at young age due to lifestyle habits. It's an endocrine disorder that has many symptoms, such as lack of or irregular periods, 'cysts'on the ovaries, fertility issues and weight gain. It can also cause excess body hair, acne, thinning hair and depression. Not everyone shows all these signs,however – it affects women in different ways. Untreated, it can sometimes lead to more serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart problems, so don't ignore it.

PCOS is very much common in today’s fast paced life. In fact, many celebrities also admitted to diagnose with PCOS once in their lifetime like Bollywood actress  Sara Ali Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Sara Jessica Parker from Sex and the City and many more.

There are many treatments available to cure PCOS and treating infertility which is the ultimate result if you have PCOS but there are natural remedies too which can really be a great help to treat it.

Can natural remedies help treat PCOS/PCOD?

First of all we need to understand that the cause of PCOS is hormonal imbalance, and it needs to be addressed with a lot of lifestyle changes along with some medical help. Eliminating junk food from your diet totally and reducing weight are the first step in controlling this hormonal disorder. Having a balanced diet also is a part of the lifestyle modification which can help in restoring the hormonal imbalances. In fact,these are the natural ways to

Getting pregnant with PCOS came as surprise

There are many success stories of Mother’s Lap IVF centre where complicated cases gets success and couples found their happiness when a baby is born . Today I am sharing one of those tough cases where Sanchita Arora (name changed) found out at that she was expecting a baby, it was her best birthday gift  she could have hoped for.

Sanchita had been diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) at the age of only 16 and was on medication for long and obviously her chances of getting pregnant with PCOS were very weak.

The challenges of getting pregnant with PCOS

PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility in women and can have a number of symptoms including irregular periods and excess facial hair.

The diagnosis had hit Sanchita hard and she admits that she coped with it by mentally closing off the option of ever having children. Getting pregnant with PCOS is therefore came as a complete surprise, when many years later and with a partner,  she unexpectedly fell pregnant but, just as she was getting used to the idea, she had a miscarriage. 

Sanchita lost all hope and then she heard from some of her friends about our centre and came to us. Unfortunately she was unable to fall pregnant naturally. We had made some basic investigations and the tests confirmed that she was not ovulating (producing an egg) regularly.

Women who are unable to conceive due to irregular ovulation are often given fertility drugs to stimulate the ovaries and treat the infertility. Sanchita was as on fertility drugs earlier by her GP, and after no success, we suggested her IVF treatment at Mother’s Lap IVF Centre. 

Sacnhita  said: “I remember being incredibly nervous in the build-up to my first visit to Mother’sLap IVF Centre. I’ve never liked injections and was concerned about needlesize. However, I saw the clinic on an open day and I was instantly put at ease.The clinic was comfortable and seemed almost homely certainly not surgical.”

“The nurse and other assisting staff, I saw was so helpful, talking me through the process and even getting me to practice injecting a sponge. It was an incredibly well

Can PCOS/PCOD curable in a natural way?

According to a report published by Metropolis healthcare, one in every 5 woman in India is

suffering from PCOS. Having PCOD (polycystic ovarian diseases) or PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) is very common today especially at young age due to lifestyle habits. It's an endocrine disorder that has many symptoms, such as lack of or irregular periods, 'cysts' on the ovaries, fertility issues and weight gain. It can also cause excess body hair, acne, thinning hair and depression. Not everyone shows all these signs, however – it affects women in different ways. Untreated, it can sometimes lead to more serious conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart problems, so don't ignore it.

Recently in a Karan Johar’s chat show actress Sara Ali Khan discloses that she was diagnosed with PCOD. “I was 96 kg, and I had PCOD. Because of that, I put on the amount of weight that I did. And it made it very hard for me to lose weight.

There are many treatments available to cure PCOS and treating infertility which is the ultimate result if you have PCOS but there are natural remedies too which can really be a great help to treat it.

"Can't Get Pregnant Again"

Lot of couples plan their extended family when they plan their second baby. But problem occurs when they came to know that they are suffering from secondary infertility which means inability to get pregnant after the birth of your first biological child. This kind of state can be stressful and upsetting and also difficult to process, especially if the first pregnancy went well.  

Now, let us consider few facts which lead you to secondary infertility: 

1. Time and Gap between the ages: 

We cannot say that somebody is suffering from secondary infertility for particular amount of time. But if a couple has been trying unsuccessfully for at least one year or so then I would strongly recommend that they should pay a visit to fertility expert who will be able to investigate their situation and help them get to the bottom of what might be wrong. Age

Are you suffering from PCOS?

The pleasure of mother hood and bringing a new life into existence is undoubtedly the greatest blessing to every woman.  Every mother trained their daughters in teens to beware of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome which could get in the way of a pregnancy. Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common total body endocrine disease that affects women of reproductive age from puberty to menopause. It affects approximately 10% of women in the reproductive age group.

Both males and females produce hormones called androgens, referred to as male hormones, which play a role in sexual functioning of the body. In girls with PCOS, the ovaries produce higher levels of androgens than normal, and this interferes with egg development and release. Some of the eggs develop into cysts which are little sacs filled with liquid and instead of being released during ovulation, these cysts build up in the ovaries

Most common causes of female infertility

A woman’s fertility is influenced by her age: female fertility peaks in the early to mid 20’s and declines slowly until the age of 35, However, there are a number of younger women who, despite their perceived fertility, have difficulty in conceiving.
It is generally advised that women under the age of 35 age wait for one year before investigating why they are failing to conceive.

There are two types of infertility:

Primary infertility: where someone who has never conceived a child in the past has difficulty conceiving.

Secondary infertility: where a person has had one or more pregnancies in the past, but is having difficulty conceiving again. It is estimated that 1/3 of the causes of infertility are associated with male factors such as poor sperm quality, 1/3 attributed to female factors. Three of the most common conditions that contribute to early female infertility are pelvic inflammatory disease, endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Does Irregular periods hampers IVF Treatment?

By Dr. ShobhaGupta

If you are having irregular periods for a while then please do not ignore it. Today, in this blog I am gonna right whether irregular periods hamper your IVF treatment or not and what you need to know about what are irregular periods. Menstrual cycle normally ranges from 21 days to 35 days. Some people get periods after 21 days and some after every 35 days, which is considered normal. However, if you are getting periods beyond that time frame or if the gap between periods is more than two weeks, it is known as irregular. Also, if menstrual cycle is shorter than that (get after 15 days) or longer than that (after 40 days, 50 days), it means your periods are irregular.

This could mean two things either you have PCOS or few eggs are left inside your body. Also, if you get a period after a gap of 40 days between periods, it does not necessarily indicate PCOS.  It could also mean that you are approaching menopause. So, it is important to know why you are getting irregular periods.

As far as IVF treatment is concerned, irregular periods are not likely to affect IVF cycle. This is because, in IVF, medications are given from outside to grow

Direct causes of Female infertility

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

In my previous blog, I have listed indirect causes of female infertility such as stress, over working, age factor, smoking etc. Now let’s talk about direct causes of women reproductive dysfunction that resulted in infertility.

1. PCOS/PCOD:

Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome and Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease are the disease both associated with ovaries; ovaries are the very important part of women’s reproductive body. PCOS is an endocrine system disorder in which woman’s levels of sex hormones estrogen and progesterone gets out of balance. This leads to growth of ovarian cysts. PCOD is a condition developed by the hormonal imbalance, which lead to collection of mature eggs in the ovary, as they cannot be discharged. These also become cysts and some of the cysts lead to more cysts and this cycle goes on. One of the causes would be insulin diet; hormonal disturbances or stress that leads to PCOD.

2. Blockage in fallopian tube:

Fallopian tubes are needed for transmitting of eggs and sperms. The tube is usually wherein woman’s egg and man’s sperm meet up to get fertilization. When there is a blockage of the tube in one area or perhaps each side, natural pregnancy is not possible. This blockage might be because of sexually transmitted infections (STI) for example PID i.e pelvic inflammatory disease. Therefore all the vital fertility checks are carried out by the infertility specialists in Patna to find out the real reason of fallopian tube blockage before starting any infertility treatment.

3. Vaginal issues:

Sometimes, woman’s vagina might be too narrow to allow access to the man’s penis or perhaps panic could hold her in the course of sexual

Let’s talk about female infertility

Dr. Shobha Gupta addressing female infertility issues

By Dr. Shobha Gupta  

These days couples plan their pregnancy after 30 years of age but if you are over 35 and have been trying for a baby for more than a year without getting any results, it is best to contact a fertility expert.   

Here are few signs that could help in indicating that there can be problems in conceiving:  

1. Irregular menstrual cycle:  Abnormal or irregular menstrual cycle or periods is one sign that can point towards a woman’s infertility. A menstrual cycle that is too long (35 days or more) or too short (21 days or less) could indicate problems with ovulation. Sometimes a healthy diet, exercise and medication can regularize your periods and help you conceive.  

2. Medical issues:  There are various medical problems or issues like endometriosis, PCOS and tubal blockage that can reduce one’s chances of conception drastically. PCOS is a major cause of infertility for urban Indian women. Tubal blockage or fallopian tube obstruction is again a prime cause of female infertility. Blocked fallopian tubes are unable to deliver the sperm and ova to the uterus for implantation and so conception becomes difficult. While most of these conditions can be rectified with help of a doctor, the sooner you meet a fertility expert, the better.  

Deccan Herald

3. Thyroid:  According to Indian Thyroid Society, about 70% of women with PMS have thyroid dysfunction and possibly results in infertility. Since the thyroid hormones regulate cellular functions, abnormal thyroid function affects ovulation and fertility as well.

WORLD HEART DAY: PCOS can also be a factor for Heart attacks

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

29th September is observed to be World Heart Day. Every year about 12 million people throughout the world die or suffer heart attacks or strokes. This disease affects rich and poor people both. Most of people thinks that this is a disease of middle aged men, But the truth is that it affects men and women equally in fact women becomes more prone to it after menopause.

Researchers found that 25 percent of the woman had at least one miscarriage. But when looking at repeated miscarriages, the researchers found that women who had more than three spontaneous miscarriages had a nine fold increased risk of heart attack. Each miscarriage increased a woman’s risk of heart attack by 40 percent. Women who had at least one stillbirth were about 3.5 times as likely to suffer a heart attack.

Women with PCOS (poly cystic ovarian syndrome) have a risk of heart attack 4 to 7 times higher than women of the same age without PCOS. Women with PCOS may have a higher rate of miscarriage because of elevated levels of luteinizing hormones, insulin or glucose. 

Smoking, more intake of tobacco, alcohol consumption, poor diet, unhealthy lifestyle, high bp , diabetes, lack of physical activity all these factors

These might be the reasons if you can’t get pregnant

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

Infertility is complex and stressful experience and going for IVF often causes more stress to women because of fear of conceiving or not. In vitreo fertilization or IVF is a technique use to treat infertility which is widely popular and acceptable now as more and more couples are seeking towards it. Before anything lets know some facts in India about infertility-

• An estimated one in seven couple in India have fertility problems and mostly there is no known medical explanation. 
• It is believed that 10% of the general population suffers from some form of infertility. 
• India has a population of over 1.2 billion, the number of Indians suffering from infertility is huge.
• Of every 100 couples reporting to fertility clinics, 40 per cent are cases of male infertility, 50 per cent are of women, and the remaining 10 per cent of both partners being infertile.

Now these might be the reasons for your infertility, read on:

1. You don’t have enough healthy eggs:

You’re born with a fixed number of eggs but the number and health of your eggs declines as you get older. In fact, a healthy and fertile 30-year-old has only 20 percent chances of getting pregnant each month, according to a report published in American Society for Reproductive Medicine. If you are consuming fertility drugs then number of eggs further decreases.

What to do: Optimizing egg health is a key, so gets to a healthy weight and if you smoke, quit now. Do not consume drugs for egg formation without IUI and IVF. Consult a good fertility centre and try to complete your family before 35 years of age.

2. It’s your partner’s problem:

Male infertility is responsible for up to one-third of infertility cases. If your partner is overweight, alcoholic or a smoker, it could be affecting your chances of getting pregnant. An infection or inflammation of the prostate glands might also be the cause.

 

What to do: Losing weight and quitting smoking are the keys, but it’s also important for your partner to

Are you taking right treatment for PCOS..??

By Dr. Shobha Gupta

Some Facts-

• 1 in 10 woman has PCOS in India
• 50% of women don’t even know that they has it 
• Every second patient in Delhi are suffering from PCOS
• Ovarian drilling in PCOS can destroy your eggs permanently

PCOS – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is an incurable disorder that affects 1 in 10 women and over 50% do not know that they have it unless and until they go for a checkup. Poly-Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal imbalance disorder which causes irregular menstrual cycle in women, obesity, unwanted hair growth and infertility. It mostly affects women of reproductive age from puberty to menopause i.e. 12-45 years old. 

Every second patient, I treat in Delhi has PCOS. In PCOS patients there are sufficient number of eggs which helps in conceiving but PCOS patients do not have that capacity where their eggs develop itself for pregnancy. In a research by USA, few years ago it was found out that via laparoscopy or key-hole surgery the ovaries are punctured with a small needle carrying an electric current or using laser to voluntarily breech the ovarian capsule. This surgery can lower male hormone levels and help with ovulation. But it indeed needs lot of alertness by the doctors as there are various risks are associated with it like infections from the incision,