Advanced Care for PCOS in Kenya

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is a constellation of symptoms that include irregular periods and symptoms of high male hormone levels such as scalp hair loss, acne, and increased body hair growth.

PCOS is the most common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age and is the underlying disorder in two-thirds of women who report irregular menstrual cycles.

There is clearly a spectrum of severity to the disorder, with mild cases often undiagnosed. Fewer women experience the severe form, where all aspects of the disorder are manifest, including irregular cycles and hormonal and metabolic imbalances.

It may occur in up to 10% of all women, and often escapes diagnosis, as symptoms may be subtle.

Prof. Rafique Parkar of Kenya Laparoscopic Surgery Services (KLASS) stays up-to-date on emerging medical treatments to ensure his patients get the most effective care for PCOS and to help women live happier, healthier lives.

PCOS Care at KLASS

Specialized care, one patient at a time

If you are experiencing any unusual symptoms such as irregular or no menstrual period, or would just like more information, please make an appointment to see our physician right away for a thorough consultation, evaluation, and examination by a physician for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

With PCOS treatment, many women lead full, active lives, including starting families. At Kenya Laparoscopic Surgery Services, our goal is to provide comprehensive individualized care for all women with PCOS, including women seeking fertility assistance.

At KLASS, our practitioners are well-versed in the diagnosis and management of PCOS. Schedule a consultation with our top-rated laparoscopic surgeon in Kenya to learn more and get the care, treatment, and support you deserve

What causes PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) results from an imbalance in a woman’s hormones, the body produces excess levels of androgens or male hormones.

A woman with PCOS may also experience insulin resistance, in which the body doesn’t effectively use insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar. Left untreated, insulin resistance can put a woman at risk for type 2 diabetes.

It is likely that both genetic and environmental factors are involved. Conditions, such as excessive weight gain, abnormal hair growth, and hoarseness of voice make the disorder more severe.

The exact causes of PCOS are unknown, though it is very usual for the condition to run in families, so if other women related to you have PCOS then your risk of developing it is higher.

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

Different women may exhibit slightly different symptoms of PCOS. Most of the symptoms, however, first appear soon after they begin menstruating. At the same time, many women don’t begin to show signs of the disorder until much later in life, particularly following a substantial weight gain.

PCOS causes different symptoms that can include:

• Irregular or no menstrual period.
• Urinary and fecal incontinence.
• Excess body hair / thinning hair or hair loss (alopecia).
• Acne.
• Enlarged ovaries with many cysts.
• Infertility.
• Obesity.
• Sleep apnea (may include snoring or gasping for breath during sleep).

What can you do to alleviate PCOS symptoms?

Mild symptoms of PCOS may be successfully relieved by simple changes in your lifestyle; especially if you are overweight or obese.

Eating healthy and engaging in different exercise activities might help you to manage and treat some of the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome PCOS.

First, it is very important to eat a balanced meal to avoid constant fluctuating levels of glucose and insulin in your bloodstream.

If you continuously consume a high carbohydrate diet, eventually, cells trying to protect themselves from glucose overload will not respond well to insulin. This is known as “insulin resistance.”

Excess sugar levels in the bloodstream cause the proteins in the body to malfunction, which may lead to a decrease in the effectiveness of the immune system, may damage blood vessels, and negatively affects connective tissues in the joints.

How is PCOS diagnosed?

Having polycystic ovaries does not necessarily mean you have PCOS.

To be diagnosed with the condition you must exhibit at least two of the following three symptoms:

1. Irregular or no periods.
2. High level of male hormones.
3. Polycystic ovaries, for instance where the ovaries are enlarged and contain follicles.

To properly diagnose the condition, an insulin and sugar levels test can be performed along with blood tests to check for hormonal imbalances.

We might also perform a pelvic ultrasound to check for cysts on your ovaries and assess the thickness of the lining of your uterus.

At KLASS, we encourage patients to be diagnosed promptly after which we counsel them appropriately so that they can take steps to manage their condition and live healthy lives.

How is PCOS treated?

Treatment for PCOS focuses on treating symptoms and preventing long-term damage.

Since symptoms can vary, treatment may aim to regulate the menstrual cycle through insulin or medication, reduce excess hair growth or remove hair through medication and help infertility.

If left untreated, PCOS can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, or metabolic syndrome.

Treatment of PCOS in Kenya at KLASS involves lifestyle modifications, such as dietary changes and exercise, medications that address the hormonal imbalance, and minimally invasive surgery as the last option.

Medications used to treat the abnormal hormones and menstrual cycles of polycystic ovary syndrome include:

• Birth control pills or progesterone pills, to help make menstrual cycles more regular.
• Metformin, a medication that increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin, can improve the symptoms of PCOS and sometimes will cause the menstrual cycles to normalize. For some women, it can also assist with weight loss.
• Treatment with clomiphene citrate causes the egg to mature and be released.
• Eflornithine cream may slow the growth of unwanted facial hair in females.

Laparoscopic Surgery for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Less scars, faster healing

If you have PCOS and haven’t had success with fertility drugs, we may recommend minimal access ovarian surgery.

For females suffering from polycystic ovarian syndrome surgical treatment is recommended should the other treatment options fail.

This is done by our lead laparoscopic surgeon in Nairobi, Prof. Rafique Parkar through laparoscopic ovarian drilling. This procedure uses a needle electrode to puncture the surface of the ovary so as to enable regular ovulation.

After surgery, ovulation occurs spontaneously in 70-90% of women and the possibility of pregnancy after twelve months is 40-60%.

Laparoscopic ovarian drilling is a surgical treatment that may trigger ovulation in females with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who have not responded to weight reduction and fertility medication.

KLASS is a leader in women’s health services and gynecologic disorders, including treatment for PCOS in Kenya and the surrounding areas.

We take you through the treatment options available, which are typically tailored to each individual woman. For every woman with PCOS though, it is highly recommended that a healthy, active lifestyle be followed.

Your Laparoscopy Procedure With Prof. Rafique Pakar

Innovative Health Care

Prof. Rafique Parkar pioneered Minimal Access Surgery in Africa 25 years ago and operates at the highest level of expertise in Africa. ( Level VI )

He is committed to improving the lifestyles of women in Kenya and the world by helping them gain access to top-level minimal access surgery in Africa.

He strongly believes that all women have the right to informed consent and should have access to the best treatment plans suited for them and that is the reason why he founded KLASS ( Kenya Laparoscopic Surgery Services ).

Together with his team at KLASS, they provide the highest level of holistic surgical care to women, ensuring that they meet their individual health needs.

Prof. Rafique Parkar specializes in helping women who ail from Incontinence,  Uterine Fibroids, Ovarian Cysts, Endometriosis, Pelvic Floor Problems, Ectopic Pregnancies, and Gynecologic Cancers.