Gulf News webinar sees health experts discuss topics on pregnancy
Experts discuss ways to avoid PCOS-related complications
Starting a family is one of life’s biggest milestones, but for sufferers of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), pregnancy can be illusive or present itself with unforeseen complications.
Patients with PCOS can, however, look forward to starting a family, if their condition is properly managed. This was the message driven home at the latest Gulf News webinar, ‘PCOS and Pregnancy — How to ensure a positive outcome’. Three top experts from Fakeeh University Hospital in Dubai offered advice on pathways to pregnancy for women with the syndrome.
Cause of infertility
Dr Ahmad Hassoun, clinical professor and consultant endocrinologist, confirmed that PCOS was in fact the most common female endocrine disease and the most common cause of infertility.
Dr Alaa Younus Mohammad, specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist, urged women with PCOS to look at it as a life-long metabolic disorder with long-term implications if not managed properly. Treatment for infertility always begins and ends with a healthy lifestyle, whether a patient is overweight or not, she said. She warned that women who are obese are more likely to struggle to conceive, as well as having a higher risk of miscarriage, gestational diabetes and preeclampsia.
Symptoms
Often patients with PCOS will present with some of the following symptoms: Missed or irregular periods, ovaries that are large or have many cysts, excessive body hair, weight gain, acne or oily skin, baldness, and infertility, explained Dr Jayacy Chandrassery Jayankar, specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist.
All the doctors emphasised the importance of lifestyle modification as the first course of action for women with the diagnosis.