When Megha (name changed) was just 10 years old, her periods began. Her periods were extremely irregular, and whenever she had them, they were excruciatingly painful and uncomfortable. Her parents put it down to the fact that she was so young and hoped that as she grew older, her menstrual cycle would become more regular. Megha, on the other hand, was thrilled every time her period was delayed. She had no idea that having irregular periods could be a serious health problem.
Megha started noticing some changes in her body, though, by the time she turned 17 years old. She could see hair growing on her chin and a very noticeable mustache too had started to appear. She was also beginning to gain weight rapidly despite her efforts to lose weight. Her self-esteem and confidence suffered significantly after she started college. She eventually decided to see a doctor to find out what was wrong with her. An ultrasound revealed that Megha was suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). “My mother took me to Sreeragam Ayurveda in Kochi because she is a firm believer in Ayurveda. I was hesitant at first, but after meeting Dr. Nimisha, I changed my mind,” says Megha.
The medical officer at Sreeragam Ayurveda, Dr. Nimisha Kureekad, has assisted numerous women with PCOS and was aware that Megha’s condition was treatable. In Ayurveda, the treatment for PCOS depends on the number and size of the cysts present in the ovaries. Smaller cysts can be treated with oral medicines. However, if the cysts are large, they may need to be surgically removed to avoid further complications.
Dr. Nimisha claims that PCOS is both a hormonal disorder and a disorder of lifestyle. “Our current lifestyle is one of the major reasons for increasing cases of PCOS among women,” says Dr. Nimisha. Lack of exercise, increased intake of unhealthy fast foods, irregular daily routines, etc are all contributing factors.
Dr. Nimisha has a few tips for girls and women suffering from PCOS.
• Exercise regularly – join a dance class, do yoga, hit a gym – anything to keep ourselves active
• Steer clear of junk food. Eat as much nutritious, home-cooked food as you can.
• Eat more fruits and vegetables every day.
• Try and maintain a regular schedule for your meals, sleep, exercise, etc.
• If you notice a delay in the onset of your period, try eating papaya or black sesame seeds.
After two months of medication, I had an ultrasound scan to see how my condition was progressing. I was relieved to discover that the medications were effective because the cysts in my ovary had shrunk,” Megha says. Megha continued the treatment for another four months as directed by Dr. Nimisha. In the subsequent scan, the cysts were completely gone. Megha was able to lose weight by making a few dietary and lifestyle changes. Even the facial hair started to disappear as her acne cleared up. “I am so glad I followed my mother’s advice and chose Ayurvedic treatment. It has truly changed my life,” beams Megha.
Dr. Nimisha urges women to become more aware of their bodies and learn to understand the signals they send us. “Let us teach our children to come to us if they are having problems with their menstrual cycle,” Dr. Nimisha says. Regular periods indicate a healthy reproductive system, and anything out of the ordinary should be reported to a doctor as soon as possible.
“PCOS is a highly curable condition if detected early. However, if left untreated, it can lead to infertility as well as an increased risk of developing diabetes and cervical cancer in older women,” warns Dr. Nimisha.