RUNNING HEAD: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Interview-Based Report writing (Community Health Nursing-II)

Topic: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Course: CHN-II

Faculty: Madam Romina

Due Date: 14th-Sep-2023

Group Members: Syed Mushtaq Karim (0667)

Sumaira Akram (0666)

Umbreen Ibrar (0668)

Shahliza Asghar (0664)

Shehla Shahab (0665)

Shifa College of Nursing, Islamabad

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 Introduction

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous endocrine disorder distinguished by the

manifestation of ovarian cysts, anovulation, and endocrine variation that severely impact the life

of a woman (Escobar-Morreale, 2018, Franks, 1995). According to the World Health

Organization (WHO) estimation revealed over 116 million women (3.4%) are affected by PCOS

worldwide and up to 70% of cases are undiagnosed. PCOS is becoming a frequently diagnosed

condition in Pakistan where the prevalence is as high as 15.7–37%. The recent studies conducted

in various geographic locations of Pakistan demonstrate that majority of the women are unaware

of the symptoms and remain undiagnosed till the symptoms become complicated (Naz et al.

2020). It is evident from the literature that subfertility and the risk of pregnancy-related

complications are significantly increased among women with PCOS.8 Infertility affects 8%–12%

of people of reproductive age worldwide. Whereas 80% of women who complain of anovulatory

infertility have been reported to have PCOS (Alam et.al, 2023)

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 Selection of the Topic

Our faculty assigned us the topic of “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome”. After it we distributed task

among group members and reviewed different articles from internet and collected necessary

material for our interview. From the literature we found that it is moderately common amongst

Pakistani women and prevalence is not much high, one reason is unawareness about the

condition among women. There is no specific treatment for PCOS however symptomatic

treatment is recommended, like Individuals with PCOS who are overweight or obese may benefit

from Metformin, an oral medication that decreases insulin and blood glucose levels. We

preferred the topic because women are not much aware of PCOS so we can provide teaching

regarding the prevention and control of PCOS such as dietary modification, weight control,

exercise, importance of hormonal therapy and birth control.

Significance in Terms of Country

The exact prevalence and incidence of PCOS in Pakistan is unknown because it is ignored and

women are mostly unaware of it and most affected age group is 19-40 years. However many

studies show that the prevalence is about 15.7-37% in Pakistan. PCOS is major cause of

infertility amongst women.

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 Application to the field of Nursing

As nurse have many roles in health care profession. Some of the roles include care giver, health-

care provider, and educator. So as an educator and health-care provider it is the primary

responsibility of a nurse to provide teaching and awareness regarding risk factors, signs and

symptoms, prevention and control of PCOS through various methods including community

awareness sessions, dietary modifications, weight control, exercise and medications .

Number of Clients Interviewed

We interviewed 25 clients using 25 questionnaires at the rotary center Bari Imam, falahi clinic at

shifa international hospital and G1-W4 gynecology ward. Questionnaires were used to assess the

clients for their knowledge, management and treatment of PCOS. We collected our data among

both married and unmarried women of age limit 20-50. The data was collected before taking

consent from the client and making sure that it would kept confidential.

Body

In our research we interviewed women from different ethnic groups. We conducted survey with

residents of Bari-Imam, Rawlapindi, and patients visiting Shifa International Hospital (Falahi

clinic and G-1 Obs/Gyne wing) for checkups. Because PCOS is common amongst age group 19-

40 years so we interviewed this age group women more specifically. This condition is more

common amongst young women but they are not much aware of it, most women even they are

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educated are not much aware of this condition as evidenced from the survey that we conducted.

The survey form was based on 25 questions and we interviewed 25 women and was

acknowledged by our CHN-II faculty.

Literature Review

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex and heterogeneous disorder of young female. It

is related to reproductive, metabolic and psychological abnormalities (Zehra et.al, 2015). PCOS

is most common amongst young women in developing countries because of lack of awareness.

The cause of PCOS is unknown and treatment is primarily based on management of symptoms

(Walter, 2022).

The symptoms of PCOS like acne, hirsutism, and menstrual abnormalities as well as the

increased prevalence of obesity and infertility, may cause psychological dysfunction and affect

quality of life (Jones et.al, 2008). Diagnosis of PCOS can often be made based on a patient’s

history and physical examination. Blood androgen measurement and pelvic ultrasound are

sometimes done to confirm the diagnosis.

PCOS can be prevented through dietary modifications, and exercise should be prioritized. Birth

control medications, which decrease production of androgens, are used to regulate menstrual

cycles for individuals who are not attempting to become pregnant. Individuals with PCOS who

are overweight or obese may benefit from metformin, an oral medication that decreases insulin

and blood glucose levels. For excess hair, oral medications that block androgens (such as

spironolactone) may be helpful but cannot be used if pregnancy is desired due to possible harm

to the fetus (Walter, 2022)

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Its symptoms can be prevented and controlled through lifestyle changes and medical

interventions. Maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in regular exercise, and adopting a

balanced diet can help manage PCOS symptoms, as excess weight and insulin resistance are

often associated with the condition. Medications, such as birth control pills and insulin-

sensitizing drugs, can regulate menstrual cycles and hormone levels.

Graphical Analysis

1. Do you know about PCOS

24%

76%

Yes No

2. Have you ever been diagnosed with PCOS?

20%

80%

Yes No

3. Do you have any other medical conditions (HTN, DM, Thyroid disorders)?

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 36%

64%

Yes No

4. Do you have any family members who have been diagnosed with PCOS?

20%

80%

Yes No

5. Do you engaged in regular physical activity?

16%

84%

Yes No

6. Do you have regular menstrual period?

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 28%

72%

Yes No

7. Do you have any of the following symptoms (excessive hair growth, acne, hair loss or
thinning of hair, skin darkening)?

36%

64%

Yes No

30%

20%

9%

5%

Excessive hair growth Acne Hairloss Hair thining

8. Are you currently trying to conceive?

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 28%

72%

Yes No

9. Have you ever been pregnant?

40%

60%

Yes No

10. Have you undergone any diagnostic test?

44%

56%

Yes No

11. Are you following any specific dietary plan?

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 12%

88%

Yes No

12. Any specific activity or medication for weight loss?

12%

88%

Yes No

13. Have you received any treatment for PCOS?

32%

68%

Yes No

14. Have you faced challenges regarding PCOS?

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 20%

80%

Yes No

15. Have you tried any traditional or herbal remedy for treatment of PCOS?

20%

80%

Yes No

16. Have you faced any difficulty in accessing healthcare for PCOS treatment?

8%

92%

Yes No

17. Have you explored any alternative therapies (e.g. acupuncture) for PCOS
management?

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 4%

96%

Yes No

18. Do you have support system (family, friends) that helps you manage PCOS?

48%
52%

Yes No

19. Are you experiencing mood changes

24%

76%

Yes No

20. Are you having sleep problems?

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 24%

76%

Yes No

21. Have PCOS impacted your work or studies?

28%

72%

Yes No

22. Have you been prescribed hormonal treatment for PCOS?

12%

88%

Yes No

23. Have you encountered any social stigma related to PCOS?

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 4%

96%

Yes No

24. Has PCOS resulted in any financial burden related to treatment and healthcare cost?

24%

76%

Yes No

25. Do you find any self-care practice helpful in managing PCOS?

40%

60%

Yes No

Recommendations

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 PCOS is not much very common amongst women and also majority of population is

unaware of it, so the recommendations include:

 Proper awareness about this disease is very important to identify the cases.

 Teaching sessions must be conducted to provide knowledge about signs and

symptoms of disease so they can identify it and contact with health-care

professional for its diagnosis and management.

 Proper guidance must be given to them in hospital setting, schools and colleges so

that they will be able to control the condition through different modifications such

as dietary modifications, weight control, and manage sugar levels in the body.

Conclusion

We conducted the survey in different areas mainly Shifa Falahi Clinic, Shifa Rotary Center Bari-

Imam, G-1 Wing-4 (Obstetrics and Gyne ward), and a Girls Hostel in Rawalpindi. We mainly

interviewed youth mostly between 19-40 years of age because this age group is at risk for PCOS.

People are mostly not aware of the condition and ignore the signs and symptoms of this

condition initially and when it became prominent they report it. Awareness about the prevention

of this condition through dietary and lifestyle modification is important for to prevent it.

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 References

 Bulsara, J., Patel, P., Soni, A., & Acharya, S. (2021). A review: Brief insight into

Polycystic Ovarian syndrome. Endocrine and Metabolic Science, 3, 100085.

 Huddleston, H. G., & Dokras, A. (2022). Diagnosis and treatment of polycystic

ovary syndrome. Jama, 327(3), 274-275.

 Naz, S., Anjum, N., & Gul, I. (2020). A community based cross sectional study

on prevalence of polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) and health related quality

of life in Pakistani females.

 Zehra, S., Arif, A., Anjum, N., Azhar, A., & Qureshi, M. (2015). Depression and
anxiety in women with polycystic ovary syndrome from Pakistan. Life Sci J,
12(3), 1-4.

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