Lifestyle is the main cause of infertility among women in UAE

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is the leading cause of infertility among women, and more than 50 per cent of women in the region have it.

According to a study by the Dubai Gynaecology & Fertility Center, of the women who consulted the center with conceiving problems, more than 60 per cent was diagnosed with PCOS.

“It is the leading cause of [in]fertility among women," said Dr. Mohamed ElKalyoubi, consultant Obstetrics and Gynecology at the center.

If that is not alarming enough, it is interesting to compare the numbers with those in other countries. "When you look at Europe there is a prevalence rate of five per cent. In the Gulf region this is 50 per cent," says the doctor.

That is not to say that all women diagnosed with PCOS are infertile. There are light and aggressive forms, leading to different symptoms.

However, infertility is not the only possible consequence; diabetes, high blood pressure and overweight are common outcomes of the disease. In the worst case it can lead to ovary cancer.

In PCOS, the mature eggs of a woman are not released from the ovaries. Instead, they gather in the ovary and turn into cysts. After a while a chain of cysts has been created, explaining the term 'polycystic'.

The possibility to develop PCOS is one that a woman inherits. But the chances of developing it are highly dependable on the environment. The Gulf region is such environment, explains Mohamed.

"Being overweight is one of the common contributors and a common problem in the Gulf. Many people do not have a healthy diet; they eat a lot of junk food and gulp down fizzy drinks. Added to that is lack of psychical exercise, a typical feature of this region."

Typically, women will first notice a change in her menstruation cycle. Whereas a regular menstruation counts 11-12 periods in a year, a woman with PCOS will only have 2-3," explains Keya Shivadey, Specialist at Aster Medical Center, Business Bay.

Other symptoms are increased hair growth (but decreased hair growth on the scalp), acne, a waist-based accumulation of fat or dark patches on the skin.

"I have never seen anything like this," says Jiwan Asha Chandra, Senior Specialist Gynaecologist at Lifeline Hospital, Jebel Ali who moved to Dubai last year.

"In India there are many other causes of infertility, but PCOS does not play as big a role as it does here. It is definitely the leading cause of infertility in Dubai."

According to Jiwan it is also stress that plays a role. "There is a lot of hurry and worry over here, which can only contribute to the development of PCOS."

Ironically, PCOS often constitutes over-weight and in some cases leads to depression. Depression in turn can lead women to overeat and gain more, and so they end up in a vicious circle, underlines Jiwan.

But there is also a bright side. "Of all forms of infertility this is the most treatable one," says Keya. "We advise a cut back on carbohydrates and sugar; the patient should refrain from potatoes, rice, dairy products and sugar. And she should do everything to lose weight; if she can lose 10 per cent of her body weight in 2-3 months the ovary can already turn back to normal."

PCOS is most common among woman in the age-group 20-30, which often means that there is time to treat the disease. But when the biological clock is ticking and the lady has a child wish, there are more radical forms of treatment, explains Keya.

"We can do laproscopic ovarian drilling; we give 8-10 punctures to bring the ovarian –which is often bulky, thick and full of fluid- back to normal. This is a successful treatment."

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