5 Common PCOD Questions Answered!
23-12-2018 | Posted By: Rajni Joshi | 1860 View(s)
Believe us or not, but PCOD has become a widespread health issue amongst females! It’s a bit difficult to believe, but yes one in every ten women in India has the polycystic ovarian disease. And out of every ten women diagnosed with PCOD, six are found to be teenagers! A study conducted by the endocrinology and metabolism department of AIIMS shows that about 20-25 percent of Indian women of childbearing age are already suffering from the problem of PCOD. Studies show that 60% of women with PCOD are obese, 35-40 Percent have a fatty liver, about 70 percent have insulin resistance, 40-60 percent have glucose intolerance, and 60-70 percent have a high level of androgen.
Before discussing the common PCOD questions, let’s first honestly answer, do all of us know what PCOD is? No? You’re not the only one! Unfortunately, even today there is a general lack of awareness regarding this health issue in India, and it often remains unnoticed or undetected for years. Let’s get started with our five common PCOD questions.
Most common PCOD Questions:
1. What is PCOD?
PCOD is a common reproductive endocrine disorder. PCOD patients develop multiple small cysts in their ovaries. The size of the ovary is enlarged and starts producing excessive amounts of androgen(male hormones) and estrogenic hormones. Excess of these hormones and, along with the absence of ovulation, may lead to infertility. PCOD is a common cause of infertility, menstrual irregularity and excessive hair growth. PCOD is estimated to affect about 10 million women globally, and still, most of us aren’t even aware of the term? Strange, isn’t it?
Other names for PCOD are PCOS ( Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) or the Stein-Leventhal Syndrome. So, don’t get confused by the multiple terms.
2. What are the common Symptoms and Signs of PCOD?
Common symptoms and signs include the following:
-Irregular/Infrequent/Heavy menstrual periods
-Obesity
-Hirsutism ( excess hair growth on the body and face.
-Oily skin
-Patches of velvety, darkened skin.
– Severe acne that does not respond to usual treatment.
-Scalp hair loss
-Mood changes, Depression, Anxiety
-Sleep apnoea ( abnormal pauses of breathing while sleeping)
3. What causes PCOD?
The exact cause of PCOD is not yet known. However, family history, insulin resistance and lifestyle or environment have been linked to the problem of PCOD.
Family History:
Daughters or sisters(immediate female relatives) of women with PCOD have a 50% chance of having PCOD.
Insulin resistance:
Before proceeding, let us quickly talk about the role of insulin which is to control the levels of glucose in the blood. If someone is insulin resistant, his or her body isn’t able to use the available insulin effectively to help keep the glucose levels stable. The body produces more insulin as the insulin is not working effectively, resulting in increased production of androgens such as testosterone, in the ovaries. This leads to acne, excessive hair growth and can contribute to symptoms such as irregular menstrual cycle.
Insulin resistance is found to be present in 80 per cent of women with PCOD. It can further contribute to an increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Women with PCOD can have insulin resistance as a result of genetic factors or as a result of being overweight or may be a combination of both of these factors.
4. How is PCOD diagnosed?
PCOD is diagnosed through an ultrasound. Additionally, on day 2 and day 3 of the cycle, some profile tests like luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Basal follicle stimulating hormone ( BSH), Oestrogen levels etc., are undertaken to for the confirmation of the disorder.
5. How can PCOD be prevented and Cured?
Well, the effects of the disease on the body are tremendous, but you can definitely try preventing PCOD by following a healthy lifestyle, keeping a check on your food intake and regular meditation. In case you’re already suffering from PCOD, do not forget to include proper medication to combat the disorder.
The doctor suggests that lifestyle management and medication can cure PCOD. Reducing body weight, eating healthy, avoiding junk foods and regular exercise can help regulate the cycles and set the menstrual clock back on the right track.
Medical intervention- Medical management( the follicles in the ovaries are dissolved over a period of one or two years through oral medicine) and surgical management( the follicles are drilled and dissolved through the process of laparoscopy along with oral medications) can also help in rectifying the disorder.
According to gynaecologists, obese women are more prone to this disorder, and those who are affected by PCOD are more prone to gaining weight. So, PCOD triggers a vicious cycle. Now, you believe us why we put so much emphasis on ensuring a healthy and balanced lifestyle?
So, these were the five most common PCOD questions that we keep searching separately on the internet. Did you get a better idea of the disorder now? We hope you did! Do not forget to share if you did. Stay happy, stay healthy and should you require the services of a good Gynaecologist find them right here!
