PCOS: Managing work with PCOS, Symptoms, Prevention & Tips

Polycystic ovarian disorder or polycystic ovarian Syndrome can become a problem for women who are ambitious and looking out for their career and growth. It is a hormonal disorder that affects a large population of women- 1 in every 5 women. It is a female endocrine disorder and has important implications for female reproduction and health. Women who suffer from PCOS usually suffer from small cysts in their ovaries. This leads to a hormonal imbalance.

Symptoms of PCOD/PCOS

The cause behind PCOS isn’t exactly known but it is seen to be hereditary. PCOS/PCOD can become problematic due to many symptoms. Symptoms are not common in everyone, they are diverse from person to person.

Few common symptoms include:

• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Acne
• Extra thick and darker hair on face and body
• Thinning of hair
• Irregular periods and/or heavy bleeding
• Depression
• Weight gain and trouble losing weight
• Fertility problems

Does PCOS affect the lifestyle of women?

Many women are heavily tensed about the impact of PCOS on their lifestyle, health, and work-life. However, PCOS is manageable and can be easily maintained with daily work life. Only a few routine changes can handle its impact on women. PCOS can’t refrain a person from living their lives to the fullest. 

Women who have suffered from PCOS for a long time in their life, claim to have achieved every goal with minor lifestyle changes. Work-life and business can indeed get hectic to take out some time for yourself. But maintaining a healthy routine will not only help PCOS but other lifestyle problems as well. It’s always good to take a new turn from the daily routine and feel something fresh to overcome the unwanted guests like Pcos from your life. 

Can PCOS be a cause of anxiety?

With increasing awareness of both physical and mental disorders around, everyone must gather the importance of awareness about work culture hand in hand with PCOS. It’s just a disorder that should never become a reason to let go of a good employee. 

PCOS can sometimes be the cause of anxiety. It depends on the days on which it is extreme or not. On certain days it’s almost non-existent. On other days, it can lead to panic attacks, severe anxiety, and discomfort. 

Have you heard of mood swings? Yes, mood swings are very common among women with PCOS. It is one of the symptoms. Fighting it might seem harsh but it is possible.

Is PCOS curable?

Many women wonder if they will always have to manage their crankiness along with maintaining their good behavior in the workplace. Not to mention, it requires many positive outlooks and changes to life. While having a full-time job, women also need to work in a domestic setting. This might lead to the ignition of even more anxiety and helplessness. 

However, the good news is that PCOS is a completely curable lifestyle disorder. Some good exercise, dietary changes, and healthy practices are suggested to overcome this syndrome. 

Why are so many women suffering from PCOS nowadays?

There is a humongous lack of awareness among women related to PCOS. This lack of awareness even after such high numbers of its occurrence is worrying. 

The reasons revolving around PCOS can be many but as per Ayurveda certain reasons are explained:

• Unhealthy lifestyle
• Menstrual disorders
• Genetic defects
• Cryptogenic / Unknown factors

Women’s health requires extreme care and regular diagnosis. Many times a business can create stress to increase the adversities of PCOS. Especially in the age of reproductive activities, this disease can immediately be triggered by any kind of pressure in work or personal life. A balance needs to be maintained.

Some major reason for high PCOS cases include: 

Obesity:

This is usually caused due to hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance. In the case of PCOS obesity, an apple-shaped body can be seen. It’s known as the central type, where the waist to hip ratio increases. This problem is also linked with diabetes mellitus and increased cardiovascular risk.

Unhealthy dietary habits:

An increase in food outlets has become a major attraction, leading to changes in dietary habits at a vast level. It includes fast food, bread, cold drinks, spicy, oily, junk food consumption whose impact is multiplied due to abnormal eating time, stress, work pressure, mental health issues, frustration, and excessive workload. All these factors work together and result in hormonal changes in the body.

Hormonal Imbalance:

Hormones keep our bodies running in a normal and natural way. Any abruptions, increase or decrease in their amount results in negative body Impact which is slowly visible in physical activities. There might be symptoms such as infertility and menstrual problems.

Menstrual disorders:

There might be irregularities in periods with conceiving issues, irregular ovulation, and early menopause.

Genetic reasons:

In various genetic studies, it has been identified that PCOS travels in families. First-degree relatives showing PCOS is suggestive of genetic influences in the next generation. However, it might not be found in every female of the family. It might skip generations. 

Environmental factors:

Use of Xenobiotics, excessive harmful products, plastics, sunscreen, makeup,p, and other harmful substances can be blamed for increased cases of PCOS.

Statistics of the situation

Many countries are proactively taking initiative towards this issue. The US is spending an average of $4 billion every year to identify and manage PCOS successfully. No such initiatives are taken yet by countries like India. There is a lack of awareness. A huge chunk of women is clueless about overcoming it. 

Dr. Shivani- Gynecologist and IVF expert says “Women take erratic menstruation lightly. Most think it is okay to miss periods for two-three months. It is not. It’s dangerous to let the lining of the uterus build up. You need to see a gynecologist if your periods are delayed by over two weeks.”

How to prevent PCOS along with Work?

1. Change in diet:

It’s hard to get a balanced diet in a working atmosphere all the time. Some work demands excessive traveling, making it impossible to have home-cooked meals at all times. In this case, Carbohydrates must be strictly avoided from food. It is recommended to intake more proteins such as milk, cereals, soya, and pulses.

Some eating tips to save time in the morning and reach the office on time: 

• Egg whites are easy to go.
• Pulses can be soaked overnight to sprout. 
• Cereal and milk are the easiest ready-made food for the morning. ( Prefer muesli) 
• Fried food must be replaced with roasted.
• Packaged food must be avoided. 
• No junk food, Maida, or White sugar.
• Consider fruits and dry fruits for small munching breaks.
• Alcohol intake should be limited, to maintain a healthy weight.
• Women with PCOS need more vitamin D in their diets than others. Consider fatty fish, dairy products, orange juice, cereals, egg yolk.

2. Fitness is a priority:

Yes, the office keeps you occupied and tired but fitness should not be forgotten. Not to mention, it will keep you active and more refreshed all day long at work. Only a 30-40 minutes small workout every day can help a lot. 

Some tips to follow to maintain fitness along with work-life: 

• Consider stairs over lifts.
• A small jog or run in the morning always helps.
• Move a little, find work that requires you to keep moving in regular intervals. You can also take tea breaks.
• Pick up a free yoga tutorial.

Conclusion

PCOS is manageable and controllable, but it can’t be treated. Prevention is the only way to stay healthy. Every day make little conscious choices towards the right path. Working with PCOS will become easy.

Also Read:

• Nutrients To Fight PCOS
• Team Finanza From Mithibai College Succeeds In Menstruation Drive
• Feminine Care By Revaa: More Than Just Hygiene
• Top Ten Simple Exercises For Weight Loss
• Reimagining Healthcare In India: Trends And Tomorrow’s Possibilities