Dr Aarthi Bharat, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital
Polycystic Ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition in women where multiple cysts are found in the ovaries. These cysts are in fact egg containing follicles that have not developed to their full maturity. These underdeveloped eggs in the ovaries stop growing at an immature stage and are too small to be released, so they remain within the ovaries. Women suffering with PCOS have hormonal imbalance and other symptoms like unwanted hair growth, weight gain, acne, irregular menstrual cycle and depression. The symptoms vary from woman to woman. They could be mild or severe and tend to begin in adolescence.
AMH levels and PCOS
AMH stands for Anti Mullerian hormone, the levels of which are used to estimate the ovarian reserve in a woman. Normal AMH levels are necessary to increase the chances of conception in a woman, as AMH levels indicate the remaining quantity of eggs and number of fertile years a woman may have.
PCOS is a condition that is characterized by imbalance of hormones. One of those is the AMH. Other hormones that may be affected are Sex hormone binding Globulin (SHBG) and luteinising hormone (LH). Women suffering with PCOS can be insulin resistant and have a higher than normal production of testosterone by the ovaries. Together all these imbalances in hormones including AMH lead to difficulties for women trying to conceive.
Importance of knowing AMH levels for your fertility
AMH is a hormone given off by developing follicles, which are egg sacs containing immature eggs. AMH naturally declines with age as the number of follicles drops. Women with PCOS often have elevated AMH levels, likely to be due to the high levels of follicles they have in the early stage of development. It is advisable to get your AMH score checked if you plan on getting pregnant.
You can get a simple AMH blood test done on any day of your menstrual cycle and obtain results on the same day. If the results suggest abnormal AMH levels and further investigation of fertility is required, then the doctors would advise an ultrasound scan to decide further treatment. It is very important to discuss your AMH score with your gynaecologist as it helps you build a full picture of your fertility, especially if you are considering fertility treatments.
Women with PCOS can be at a risk of over responding to medication designed to stimulate the ovaries but the good news is that they generally respond well to IVF (Invitro fertilisation). So, if you have PCOS and abnormal AMH levels, no need to get discouraged, there are treatments available to fulfil your dream of being a mother.
How can you check if you have PCOS and is there any cure?
As mentioned before symptoms of PCOS can be irregular periods, unwanted hair growth, oily skin and acne, difficulty in conceiving, spotting, weight gain etc. If you have developed any of these, it is highly important to consult a gynaecologist. Early detection and treatment for PCOS can prevent further complications in later stages of life. While there is no cure for PCOS, the symptoms can be managed through appropriate lifestyle choices like eating a balanced diet and losing weight. An active lifestyle coupled with a good diet that is low in sugars and high in fibre, proteins, seasonal fruits and vegetables will certainly help control this condition. Remember to exercise, live a healthy life, and consult your doctor immediately if the symptoms continue to bother you and affect your daily life.
