The Federation of Obstetric and Gynaecological Societies of India (FOGSI) has launched a nationwide initiative to check the rise of hormonal imbalance-related diseases among Indian women.

A study has found a fivefold increase in disorders related to the endocrine system among Indian women when compared to the worldwide data. The endocrine system is a collection of glands that secrete hormones.

“Advancement in medical technology has made it possible to detect endocrine diseases such as diabetes, metabolic syndrome, thyroid problems, polycystic ovary syndrome and obesity-related health problems in women at a very early stage. The prevalence of all these diseases is increasing at an alarming rate among the Indian population and there is an immediate need to curb them through appropriate intervention,” said Bangalorebased senior obstetrician and gynaecologist Hema Divakar, who is the president of FOGSI.

The increase in endocrine diseases is spotted because of improved technology like scanning and detection. However, a five-fold increase in India as compared to the global data is not an encouraging health indicator for a developing nation, she added.

Changing lifestyle, stress, eating habits and pollution are some reasons contributing to endocrine disorders. In addition, Indians are more susceptible to diabetes, she said.

“By not controlling these diseases at the right time, we are putting our next generation at risk. We need to create awareness and set up systems and practices to ensure that early detection and appropriate treatment is available,” said Divakar.

FOGSI is also sensitising gynaecologists and obstetricians on the need for examining the gynaecology-related diseases. “We need standard operations procedures in government and private institutions, identify and introduce new treatment techniques, set up specialty clinics for women and equip gynaecologists to examine such cases properly,” Divakar added.

To further their cause, a national conference on gynaeendocrinology was held in Pune from May 3 to May 5 by the Gynaecological Endocrine Society of India in association with FOGSI.

Senior gynaecologist Sanjay Gupte, the former president of FOGSI, , said, “The national conference on gynae-endocrinology has been a trend setter. We are launching specialty courses for obstetrics and gynaecologists on diabetes management. We are also working on the course contents of obesity management, PCOS, which will be rolled out in the state soon.”

The conference focused on newer advances in the management of endocrinal problems with emphasis on infertility, PCOS, thyroid, amenorrhea (absence of menstrual period in a woman of reproductive age group), hyperprolactenemia (condition characterized by excess prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production in women), menopause and hormonal contraception.