Impact of Lifestyle Intervention for Management of the Modern Life Scourge of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome among Girls – A Case Series

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine, metabolic and reproductive disorder. It affects various body organs. Oligomenorrhea, hirsutism, insulin resistance, obesity and polycystic ovaries are its hallmark features. Usual medicines for PCOS focus on blood glucose and hormonal regulation. Diet, exercise and lifestyle changes for losing weight provide relief from symptoms. We describe here eight PCOS cases enrolled in an RCT. The study aimed to ascertain the impact of the lifestyle intervention for management of polycystic ovarian syndrome among girls. Anthropometric assessments and biochemical parameters, including reproductive hormones and insulin resistance, were performed at baseline and after 6 months of intervention, change in their health profile was noted. After intervention, menstrual regularity was achieved in all cases. The average weight loss was 4.07 kg (range 2.5-14 kg). The average BMI reduced from 26.6 to 25.0 and waist circumference from 94.1 to 86.6. At the end of the intervention, five cases had normal ovarian size, LH:FSH was normal in three cases. Out of six with insulin resistance, only one tested positive after intervention. One of the subjects said "I am very satisfied with the treatment. Almost all of my problems have been resolved -periods are regular, lab reports are normal, mood has improved, weight has reduced; other people ask me how I have lost weight." Simple changes in lifestyle can easily provide relief in PCOS cases without any medical intervention.

The democratisation of healthcare is an integral part of Public Health principles – Some examples from a Medical College affiliated hospital, Chandigarh

“…The main focus was on gynecological disorders. Faculty, students, and staff from various departments of Medical College, and Punjab University, Chandigarh, played an active role in compiling (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16) these materials . This one of its kind venture in India has the potential to popularize the successfully tested efforts of the faculty of Medical College, Chandigarh globally.…”