Up to 30% of women in the GCC and South Asia suffer from infertility resulting from PCOS

DUBAI, UAE - March 14, 2016 - PRLog -- There is a high incidence of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in the Middle East/GCC region mainly due to hereditary and ethnic influences. Approximately up to 20-25% of women in the GCC of Middle Eastern and South Asian ethnicity suffer from PCOS. Experts believe that cases can reach 30% or even higher in the subfertility population in the region. The Obs Gyne Conference aims to tackle the different challenges, treatments and share the latest updates concerning the management of PCOS.

PCOS is the most common endocrine abnormality in women of reproductive age worldwide. It is a genetic disorder with a broad spectrum of clinical and morphological outcomes. It was defined in 1935, and initially called Stein - Leventhal Syndrome, when American gynaecologists Irving F. Stein, Sr., and Michael L. Leventhal associated the presence of ovarian cysts with anovulation.  It is an unavoidable disease but can be managed at any age depending on the patient's needs and expectations at the time.

"PCOS can present in any age especially after weight gain, but can also first present in young adolescent girls.  The symptoms associated with this condition vary, but may include some of the following:  irregular or absent menstrual periods, hirsutism (increased hair growth), alopecia (female pattern baldness), oily skin & acne, weight related issues, and infertility or difficulty in getting pregnant," says Dr Salem El Shawarby, Consultant & UK Subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine/ IVF, Director of
Corniche Fertility Centre, Corniche Hospital, Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Dr El Shawarby will discuss the prevention of long-term health hazards in PCOS women at the reproductive health and infertility conference at the Obs-Gyne Exhibition and Congress that will take place March 27-29 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Women with PCOS are at greater risk for developing certain complications during pregnancy. In addition, infants born to mothers with PCOS are at higher risk of spending time in the neonatal intensive care unit. Complications of pregnancy associated with PCOS, such as preeclampsia, could be a reason for these risks. Also, conditions common to PCOS like metabolic syndromes such as diabetes and increased androgens may increase the risks affecting infants.

"The best approach to managing PCOS is regular exercise, a healthy balanced food program, and adequate weight control.  Lifestyle changes are often initiated as fist line of treatment for improvement of short and long-term outcomes and should precede and/or accompany any pharmacological treatment. Women known to have the condition should not in general delay getting pregnant, and should seek expert fertility advice earlier" highlighted Dr El Shawarby.