PCOS affects a major part of a menstruating person’s life than many of them are aware of. The lack of information about the condition and the reluctance of people to talk about the matter makes it worse. As we kick off World PCOS Awareness Month, we try to understand the proper repercussions and the best ways to manage your periods. As science progresses each day, many women have taken the initiative to further the research on PCOS and the reproductive health of women. We spoke to Dr Prarthana Shah, a doctor who specialised in preventative CVD medicine and an Integrative Health Coach to get a better understanding of the vital role nutrition plays in a woman’s reproductive cycle.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder affecting millions of women worldwide. Characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen production, and the presence of cysts on the ovaries, PCOS can lead to a range of health issues, including infertility, obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and endometrial cancer.

Role of Nutrition in PCOS Management

A balanced diet plays a crucial role in managing PCOS symptoms and reducing the risk of associated health complications. By focusing on nutrient-dense foods and avoiding certain triggers, women with PCOS can significantly improve their overall well-being.

According to Dr. Prarthana, “The first thing is B12. So, a common deficiency, even otherwise, which can affect a woman's hormonal balance, because it helps regulate your hair length, and so it's important to make sure that you're getting enough B12.” There are important nutrients that women must have for healthy menstrual cycles.

• Vitamin B12: Essential for hormonal balance, hair health, and regular menstruation.
• Vitamin D: Helps regulate hormones, supports ovarian function, and improves insulin sensitivity.
• Iron: Crucial for preventing anaemia, which is common during menstruation.
• Electrolytes: Help maintain fluid balance and prevent fatigue.
• Amino acids: Provide building blocks for proteins and support overall health.

Dietary Recommendations for PCOS

As Dr Prarthana mentioned, the key nutrients that women lack are the reason why their periods might be irregular and make it difficult for them to handle it. She suggested that it's essential to prioritize a nutrient-rich diet. Focus on consuming whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.

Minimize your intake of processed foods, sugary drinks, processed meats, and refined carbohydrates, as these can contribute to inflammation and hormonal imbalances. Consider limiting or avoiding dairy products, as they may contain hormones that can disrupt your hormonal regulation.

She also emphasised the importance of seasonal fruits. While many people have expressed their reservations with cross-contamination and germs from fruits she says, “You have to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables. Greens and salad leaves, all of these things for vitamin B12. Now, of course, there will be some vendors that cut it up. So, don't buy it from there. one tip I personally suggest is that I use something called Veggie Wash where I wash my salad leaves in that at home. You can also wash it with salt or apple cider vinegar.”

When enjoying seasonal fruits and vegetables, be mindful of potential contamination from vendors who cut and sell them. Wash them thoroughly at home to ensure safety. Finally, stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to support overall health and prevent dehydration.

Lifestyle changes you should make for PCOS

According to Dr Prarthana, your lifestyle plays a really important role in PCOS, “So, I know most women, even though they regularly exercise, I mean the ones that do, also kind of skip it during the period and that is the wrong thing to do, ideally.”

She also expresses how much it actually helps with period pains and relief for women, “It's okay. You should go and do some sort of exercise. Go for a walk. It could be lighter if you're, you know, tired. But something in some form of movement, maybe yoga, stretching, whatever works for each person depending on how much pain they have. It really opens up the muscles and gives you relief.”

Other changes include,

• Manage stress: Practice stress-reduction techniques like meditation, yoga, or deep breathing.
• Prioritize sleep: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.
• Consider supplements: Consult with a healthcare professional about potential supplements, such as vitamin D and iron, to address specific deficiencies.

Thyroid disorders don’t just affect women — it also affects men and raise fertility risks, said experts today on World Thyroid Day.

While thyroid disorders are commonly linked to symptoms such as weight gain, fatigue, mood swings, and hair loss, experts highlighted a lesser-known impact of thyroid imbalance — its effect on male fertility and reproductive health.

Dr. Piyush Lodha, Endocrinologist at Ruby Hall Clinic, Pune, told HealthandMe that both hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) can negatively affect sperm health and reproductive function in men.

“The thyroid regulates several important body functions, including metabolism and hormone balance. Even slight thyroid dysfunction can influence fertility because thyroid hormones are closely connected to reproductive hormones,” he explained.

How Thyroid Imbalance Affects Male Fertility

The doctors noted that thyroid hormones play an important role in sperm production, sperm maturation, libido, and sexual performance.

In hypothyroidism, reproductive processes may slow down significantly. Men may experience low testosterone levels, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, and poor sperm quality.

Dr. Lodha noted that hypothyroidism can negatively affect sperm count, sperm motility, and sperm morphology, lowering the chances of successful conception. Fatigue, depression, and weight gain associated with thyroid disorders may further impact sexual health and self-esteem.

Hyperthyroidism can also affect fertility. Excess thyroid hormone may disturb the hormonal balance required for normal sperm production.

“In men, hyperthyroidism can lead to premature ejaculation, increased oxidative stress, and damage to sperm cells. In some cases, sperm concentration and semen volume may also decrease,” he said.

The expert warned that thyroid-related fertility issues often remain undiagnosed because symptoms develop gradually or are mistaken for stress and lifestyle-related problems.

Early Diagnosis Can Improve Outcomes

The expert stressed that timely diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve reproductive health.

“With hormonal therapy, dietary modifications, and regular monitoring, sperm health and reproductive function can improve over time,” Dr. Lodha explained.

He advised men experiencing unexplained infertility, sexual dysfunction, or persistent fatigue to undergo comprehensive reproductive health evaluations, including thyroid function tests.

Lifestyle Reasons Behind Surging Thyroid Disorders

Dr. Anu Mathew, Consultant Endocrinology, Fortis Hospital, Manesar, told HealthandMe that while women are more at risk, thyroid disorders can also affect men and children, and a lack of awareness often delays diagnosis.

She added that thyroid disorders are increasingly being linked to lifestyle-related factors, despite autoimmune disease remaining the most common cause.

Also read: Heatwaves And Toxic Air Create A Growing Health Crisis In Delhi

Dr. Anu pointed out that subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) — characterized by elevated thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) with normal T3 and T4 levels — has shown strong associations with lifestyle factors in several studies.

“Both iodine deficiency and iodine excess have been associated with thyroid disorders. Lack of sleep, poor sleep quality, chronic stress, smoking, and sedentary lifestyles may also contribute to thyroid dysfunction,” she said.

According to experts, subclinical hypothyroidism has also been associated with increased risks of cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome.

The doctors, thus, stressed the importance of healthy lifestyle changes to prevent thyroid dysfunction and related complications.

When Thyroid Disorders Become Cancerous

Read More: Ebola Cases Cross 900, Death Toll Tops 200; 10 Countries On High Alert

Dr. Manjunath NML, Senior Consultant – Surgical Oncology and Robotic & Laparoscopic Surgeon at HCG Cancer Hospital, Bengaluru, told HealthandMe thyroid cancer is often difficult to detect early because it grows slowly and may initially cause painless or nonspecific symptoms.

“Small thyroid nodules may go unnoticed because they are not always visible or palpable during routine examinations,” he explained.

Detection may become even more challenging in obese patients, where larger nodules can remain hidden.

Doctors also highlighted that cancerous nodules may sometimes be concealed within multinodular goitre, a condition commonly associated with iodine deficiency and more frequently seen among women in endemic regions.

Other reasons for delayed diagnosis include lack of awareness, socioeconomic barriers, and limited access to specialists and diagnostic technologies such as ultrasound and FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology).

Experts noted that imaging tools like the TIRADS (Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System) scoring system play an important role in classifying thyroid nodules as benign, suspicious, or malignant, helping guide appropriate treatment decisions.

The ongoing Ebola outbreak in Africa, with nearly 1,000 cases and over 200 deaths, has sparked concerns among people, bringing back memories of the COVID-19 pandemic. With every new outbreak, fears about viruses becoming airborne like SARS-CoV-2, the virus behind COVID-19, tend to rise.

However, experts have clarified that Ebola is not airborne and does not spread like COVID-19.

Why Ebola Spread Is Not Like COVID

“Ebola is a serious viral hemorrhagic disease,” said Dr. Ishwar Gilada, Secretary General, People’s Health Organisation (India).

“Ebola does NOT spread through casual airborne exposure like influenza or COVID-19. Individuals become infectious only after symptoms begin, not during the incubation period. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days,” he added.

Former AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria told PTI that Ebola is “a zoonotic infection, mainly originating in bats.”

“Ebola does not spread through air like respiratory viruses. It spreads only through direct contact with infected body fluids,” he added.

Experts further explained that Ebola is far more difficult to spread than airborne respiratory viruses such as influenza, COVID-19, measles, and even the Andes strain of hantavirus, which recently caused an outbreak on a cruise ship.

“Ebola is not airborne. There's no evidence of that at all. To be infected, you've got to have body fluid contact with someone who is quite ill,” said Michael T. Osterholm, Director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota.

According to Peter Hotez, Dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, people with Ebola do not spread the virus before developing symptoms.

The experts reiterated that during Ebola’s incubation period, which ranges from 2–21 days, an infected person is generally not contagious, unlike COVID-19, where transmission can occur before symptoms appear.

Moreover, even early Ebola symptoms such as fever, sore throat, headache, and body aches are less likely to spread the virus compared to respiratory infections.

Ebola does not spread through coughing, sneezing, or casual contact like shaking hands.

“You cannot get Ebola from passing someone in an airport, sitting near someone freely, or through other casual contacts,” explained Captain Satish K. Pillai, Incident Manager for Ebola Response at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Also read: Ebola Cases Cross 900, Death Toll Tops 200; 10 Countries On High Alert

How Ebola Spreads

Ebola spreads through:

• Direct contact with infected blood or bodily fluids
• Contact with contaminated surfaces or medical equipment
• Unsafe caregiving exposure
• Traditional burial practices involving direct contact
• Certain zoonotic animal exposures

Common Symptoms Of Ebola

Common symptoms include:

• Sudden fever
• Severe weakness and fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle and body pain
• Sore throat
• Abdominal pain
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Rash

Severe illness may involve:

• Bleeding manifestations
• Shock
• Multi-organ dysfunction

Historical case fatality rates have ranged from 25% to 90%, depending on the virus strain, outbreak conditions, and access to timely medical care.

Ebola: How You Can Stay Safe

• Washing your hands often
• Avoiding contact with bodily fluids
• Avoiding contact with individuals who appear ill or who have a fever
• Avoiding objects that have come in contact with an infected individual, such as bedding, clothing or medical equipment
• Not handling someone who has died from Ebola
• Avoiding contact with bats and nonhuman primates, and raw meat from these animals
• Avoiding seeking medical care at hospitals where patients are being treated for Ebola
• Paying attention to your health for 21 days after returning from a country where Ebola has been found
• Seeking medical attention immediately if you experience any Ebola symptoms

How To Prepare Healthcare Systems

Dr Gilada stressed the importance of:

• Immediate isolation protocols for suspected cases
• PPE readiness across designated hospitals
• Emergency infection control drills and refresher training for healthcare workers
• Laboratory diagnostic preparedness with safe specimen handling
• Contact tracing systems
• Central and state public health coordination

The expert also urged authorities to strengthen “science, surveillance, preparedness, and infection control” to curb the spread of the disease.

Dr Guleria called for stricter infection control, timely isolation, and avoiding direct contact with infected persons remain key preventive measures. They also noted that Ebola outbreaks have largely remained confined to Africa due to effective containment efforts.

COVID-19 is not only a name but a terrible memory for the world, which made people stuck in their homes for months and caused thousands of deaths. Although after the advent of vaccines, normal life regained its pace, the impact of that turbulent time persists in everyday life. One example of a negative after-effect is the rising number of hip replacement surgeries among young Indians, which is, without a doubt, a worrying post-pandemic orthopaedic trend.

This very trend of rising cases of hip replacement surgeries is so serious that it was a major issue of discussion in the 2nd DELHI HIP 360 Conference, held at Crowne Plaza New Delhi. Where doctors reported a significant rise in cases of hip arthritis and avascular necrosis (AVN), a painful condition caused by disruption of blood supply to the hip bone, particularly among younger and middle-aged adults. The conference was organised by the Delhi Orthopaedic Association in association with the Indian Arthroplasty Association.

In the second edition of this conference, Dr. L Tomar, Organising Chairman of DELHI HIP 360 and Director, Department of Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement at Max Hospital, New Delhi, said, “We are observing 40% rise in hip replacement surgeries in younger people. Steroids played a life-saving role during the COVID pandemic, but indiscriminate or prolonged use in some patients has been associated with a rise in osteonecrosis and early degenerative changes in the hip joint." He also added that they are now seeing relatively younger patients coming with severe hip damage, collapse of the femoral head, and advanced arthritis requiring early hip replacement surgeries.

Dr. L Tomar further added, “India is witnessing a silent rise in hip disability due to a combination of post-COVID complications, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, trauma, alcohol consumption, and increasing life expectancy. Early diagnosis is critical because if AVN is detected in the initial stages, joint-preserving procedures may still be possible before destruction of the hip occurs.”

Dr. Karun Jain, Organising Secretary of the conference, said, “One of the biggest challenges with AVN is that patients often ignore early symptoms such as groin pain or stiffness, assuming it to be muscular pain. By the time they seek medical advice, the hip joint may already have undergone irreversible collapse. Awareness, timely MRI evaluation, and early intervention can help reduce disability.”

The conference has brought together leading orthopaedic surgeons, arthroplasty specialists, fellows, and residents from across India to deliberate on the latest advances in Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA), complex hip reconstruction, robotic-assisted surgery, rehabilitation, and management of post-COVID hip complications.

The experts at the conference emphasize that the AVN, which was thought of as a disease of the elderly, is no longer limited to a certain age bracket. It can affect young people as well due to the modern sedentary lifestyle. Thus, doctors at the conference are also expecting even greater demand for hip replacement surgeries.