Common Symptoms and Treatments
PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome, is a common disorder in women that is characterised by unusual hair growth, trouble losing weight, infertility, acne, and most notably, irregular menstrual cycles. There is no cure for the syndrome, but PCOS treatment takes a holistic approach to managing your reproductive health. With lifestyle changes and medication, you can very well manage the syndrome. For effective treatment, much like with other reproductive disorders, it is important to get as early a diagnosis as possible. Here are some of the things you can do to manage the syndrome
- Shifting Lifestyle Choices
Since PCOS has negative impacts on appearance, weight and overall mental health, it is managed with a commitment to wellness not unlike those recommended for other syndromes. The first among this is a low-calorie, high nutrition diet for weight management and the prevention of obesity-related complications. Many women undergoing PCOS treatment report feeling better, and notice a decrease in the intensity of symptoms, along their weight loss journey. The efficacy of medication is also increased if you reduce excess weight.
- Taking the Correct Medication
Correcting the Menstrual Cycle
One of the most prevalent consequences of PCOS is irregularity in the menstrual cycle, which causes pain, discomfort, irritability and may cause long-term psychological damage. The most common medication prescribed to regularize the cycle is birth control. Birth control, which is accessible and inexpensive, contains synthetic types of progestin and estrogen, which directly combat the excessive production of androgens in your system. Combating the production of androgens also decreases the chances of ovarian and endometrial cancer, reduces acne and prevents excessive hair growth. A simple regimen of birth control will help you in not just feeling better, but looking better.
Progestin therapy also assists with the regulation of the menstrual cycle, but since it does not have androgens, it does not negatively impact your chances of getting pregnant if you are trying – obviously taking in very specific dosages at a very specific time. Taking the mini pill or progestin via an IUD is the route to take if you also want to avoid pregnancy.
Ensuring Pregnancy while Reducing Symptoms
If you don’t want to take the birth-control route to manage your PCOS because you are looking to conceive, medication such as Letrozole (breast cancer medication) stimulates and regularizes the ovaries. Further, clomiphene and metformin might help along your pregnancy journey. Clomiphene is an oral anti-estrogen, while metformin assists with insulin resistance, encouraging both ovulation and speeding up weight loss in your fertility journey.
Improving Your Appearance
For younger women, one of the major off-putting things about PCOS is the effect on their looks. PCOS treatment does not just make you feel better, it makes you look better. Beside birth control pills, medication such as spironolactone (Aldactone) and eflornithine can help enhance your appearance and remove symptoms of PCOS. Eflornithine is a simple hair growth slower, especially on the face where the pesky hair could make you feel awful about yourself. Aldactone directly counteracts androgens in the body, slowing hair growth and preventing hormonal acne-however, it must be taken in tandem with birth control since its side effects on fertility are a serious consideration. Do not take any of these medications without a prescription and without asking your doctor for a full health screen to check suitability and side effects specific to your body. Besides pharmaceuticals, cosmetic hair removal and acne treatments are well-advanced enough to counteract the effects PCOS has on your appearance.
Genital Warts- the Pesky, the Stubborn and the Treatment
Genital warts treatment is also among the most common gynecological procedures, especially in women who are sexually active. It is super important to have an open and frank conversation about this ailment, without taboos and self-judgment, to prevent warts from becoming a serious health concern.
Pap Tests-the Findings
Women who have hit puberty should make it a regular practice to visit the gynecologist at least twice a year for a full-health screening. Sexually active women should make this even more of a routine practice. A pap test is usually the first procedure during a gynecological health screening- a speculum holds the vagina open to permit access to the cervix, from which a small sample is taken to check for irregularities.
The diagnosis of genital warts is most commonly the result of pap smears. Sometimes, they are so well hidden under the skin that you might need a biopsy. Not only are pesky genital warts diagnosed with routine pap smears, but endometrial, vaginal, cervical cancer and their early signs can be diagnosed and quite literally save your life.
Getting Rid of Genital Warts
Sometimes the best course of action is to let the warts go away by themselves, specially if they are not itchy. If they are burning or causing pain, and you don’t want to give the infection to your partner, it is best to consult a gynecologist in Dubai for topical medication to decrease the pain. It is important to have safe, protected sex simply because genital warts are transferable and have the proclivity of returning. Medications to help get rid of them include Imiquimod (Zyclara), which is a topical medication which increases the immunity of the skin. Side effects to take note of are rashes, fatigue, change in the colour of the skin, and blisters. Do not have sexual contact with Imiquimod on, it weakens condoms and may cause irritation on your partner’s skin as well. Podophyllin breaks down the tissue of the genital wart and dry it up, but it is extremely important to put it on top of your skin and never inside your genitalia. Side effects may include irritation, burning and sores. For warts inside or closely around the genitalia, you can safely use veregen or trichloroacetic acid. Do not use wart creams sold for the face and body as these are extremely corrosive to the skin around your genitalia.
