What is PCOD Problem?

What is PCOD Problem
PCOD or PCOS can be defined as a health condition most women undergo in their lives. Technically, the condition refers to a hormonal imbalance; it influences the lifestyle of a woman in practically all aspects of her body health, such as reproductive but also metabolic and psychological activity.

What is PCOD?

PCOD is such a condition wherein the size of the ovaries is huge with many small cysts and fluid-filled sacs and many eggs are produced and more hormonal release but these do not cause any harm but lead to excessive levels of androgenic hormones or simply male hormones, which hamper the menstrual cycles as well as the normal release of eggs from the ovaries.
PCOD is another major cause of infertility among females, but most fortunately it can be treated. When they are well managed women can lead a healthy and normal life.

Causes of PCOD

The causes of PCOD are not entirely known and various factors are there to contribute to this condition, including:
  • Genetics: The PCOD incidence is higher if the suffering is due to a first-degree relative like a mother or sister. This therefore brings to the fore that there is a genetic tendency to the disease.
  • Hormonal Disorder: Women in PCOD cases suffer from a problem of hormonal disorder in reproductive hormones. The women might suffer from excessive hair growth, acne, and irregular menses as a result of increased male hormones or androgens like testosterone. Such hormonal disorders would disturb the normal process of ovulation and can further cause ovarian cysts.
  • Insulin Resistance: Nearly all the women who suffer from PCOD have insulin resistance in which the cells of the body fail to respond to the insulin. This results in an increase in the production of insulin within the body, and hence the more weight that is gained makes the symptoms of PCOD, like infertility and menstrual dysfunction, worsen.
  • Inflammation: Low-grade chronic inflammation has also been implicated in the pathogenesis of PCOD. These may elevate the levels of androgens in the ovaries, thus exaggerating hormonal imbalances.

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Symptoms of PCOD

Symptoms of PCOD vary with each woman and can range from mild to severe. The most common symptoms include:
  • Irregular Menstrual Periods: PCOD mainly presents irregular menses. Women rarely or may never experience periods at regular times compared to once in eight cycles, or the periods occur with heavy flow during those times.
  • Increased Hair: Also called hirsutism, women have excessive hair growth above the normal places, such as the chest, back, face, and abdominal regions. They experience the increase due to the high degrees of androgens in their bodies.
  • Acne and Oily Skin: High androgens also lead to acne and oily skin. It is a presenting symptom in most young females with PCOD.
  • Weight Gain: The most common accompaniment of women suffering from PCOD is weight gain. This typically occurs due to the development of insulin resistance and leads to the deposition of fat in the abdominal area.
  • Hair Thinning: A woman with PCOD experiences hair loss or thinning on her scalp. This is more commonly known as male-pattern baldness because of the excess secretion of androgens.
  • Infertility: It is the prime reason for females. As most hormonal balance prevents women from attaining puberty and results in inadequate periodic, conceiving in those women becomes pretty tough. However, this problem only continues for a period due to excessive hormonal imbalances without menstruation.
  • Pelvic Pain: A few women may find an element of pain caused by some cysts in their ovaries or because of this disorder.
  • Dark Skin: A medical condition called Acanthosis Nigricans mostly present with dark patches found on the neck, armpit, groin, etc accompanied by various cases of PCOD is mostly noted.

How PCOD Is Diagnosed?

A healthcare provider diagnoses the PCOD by looking over the woman’s medical background, symptoms, and periods through a physical examination. However, some investigations might be used.
  • Ultrasound: Ultrasound of the pelvis is carried out to detect cysts within the ovaries and to know the size and shape of the ovaries.
  • Blood Tests: Blood tests are carried out to evaluate hormone levels- androgens, estrogen, and progesterone. High levels of androgens will confirm the diagnosis of PCOD.
  • Glucose Test: A blood glucose test could be performed to determine the presence of a condition of insulin resistance; that occurs in most PCOD cases in women.

Treatment Options for PCOD

Although there is no cure for PCOD, it can be managed by an appropriate treatment plan. Treatment usually centres on the regulation of menstrual cycles, reduction of symptoms, and management of underlying causes such as insulin resistance. The most common treatments include the following:
  • Birth Control Pills: Hormonal contraceptives, like birth control pills, regulate menstrual cycles, reduce androgen levels, and help manage symptoms such as acne and excessive hair growth.
  • Insulin Sensitisers: Most drugs including Metformin which makes your body react more sensitively to the presence of insulin are some of the very first prescriptions to be made for women. These generally work well in balancing and regulating menstrual cycles including ovulation.
  • Fertility Drugs: Some drugs, which can be used in the treatment or triggering the process of inducing ovulation in women, in case of the failure of PCOD-induced sterility, can be Clomiphene citrate (Clomid) or letrozole, etc.
  • Anti-Androgen Drugs: These drugs such as spironolactone can prevent the effects of over-effectiveness of excess male hormones including excessive hair growth and acne.
  • Changes in Lifestyle: Lifestyle, dieting, and exercising for weight loss will improve that person's insulin sensitivity; losing some kilograms will even begin to normalize the menstrual cycle, and all the symptoms can be diminished.
  • Surgery: If all the above methods have failed then only ovarian drilling is surgery through which it creates minuscule holes in the ovaries and the reaction is seen from the side of the eggs also.

Lifestyle Suggestions for PCOD Treatment

Lifestyle change is as crucial as a treatment to help cope with PCOD. Here are some of them:
  • Healthy Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight is an excellent way of controlling insulin resistance and bringing the hormone in balance.
  • A Healthy Diet: A diet loaded with fibre, lean protein, and healthy fats controls spikes of blood sugar and prevents or minimizes insulin surge.
  • Regular Exercise: Exercise more frequently raises the perception of how sensitive your cells are to insulin, contributes to weight loss, and reduces stress levels.
  • Reduce Stress: High degrees of stress often exacerbate hormonal imbalances, so practice relaxation techniques like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing.

Conclusion

PCOD is very common in most women of the age group of childbearing women; though it presents complications to some, medical intervention as well as changes in their lifestyles can keep it from taking a life-impregnating path. Therefore, should you suspect PCOD or symptoms are starting to show themselves, consult a medical doctor to properly diagnose it as well as make the appropriate prescription depending on the individual’s condition.

Dr Swapnanjali Avhad

Gynaecologist, Obstetrician & Fertility Expert, Dr. Avhad Hospital

Dr. Swapnanjali Avhad, a trusted Gynecologist and Obstetrician in Nashik, specializes in high-risk pregnancies and recurrent abortions, with over 5000 successful high-risk deliveries 

Member Since Nov 2024

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