PCOD and PCOS

PCOD or PCOS is a condition that affects women’s ovaries, the reproductive organs that produce progesterone and estrogen hormones that help in regulating the menstrual cycle and also produce small amount of hormones inhibin, relaxin, and male hormones called androgens.

Almost 10% of women in the world is suffering from PCOD. In compare to PCOD women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes them to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant.

Besides unpredictable hormonal behavior, this condition can trigger

  • Diabetes
  • Infertility
  • Acne
  • Excessive hair growth

It’s a fairly common disorder, but one with no exact cure.

What is PCOD Problem?

PCOD full form in medical – Polycystic Ovarian Disease

PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) is a medical condition in which the woman ovaries produce immature or partially mature eggs in large numbers and over the time these become cysts in ovaries. Due to this ovaries become large and secrete large amount of male hormones (androgens) causing infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, hair loss and abnormal weight gain. PCOD can be controlled by diet and lifestyle modifications.

What is PCOS?

PCOS full form in medical – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a metabolic disorder in which the woman affected by hormonal imbalance in their reproductive years (between ages 12 and 51). Due to increase level of male hormones females might skip menstrual periods, have irregular ovulation making it hard to get pregnant, get abnormal hair growth on the body and face simultaneously it can lead to heart disease and diabetes in long term. PCOS is a serious medical condition, and it requires proper medical attention or surgical treatment.

Many women have PCOD / PCOS but they don’t know it. Group of symptoms that affects the ovulation and ovaries are:

  • Ovarian cysts
  • Increased levels of male hormones
  • Skipped or irregular periods

What are the common signs and symptoms of PCOD problem / PCOS?

Some females start seeing symptoms around the time of their first period, some women only discover when they have gained a lot of weight or trouble getting pregnant. The most common signs and symptoms of PCOD Problem or PCOS in females are:

  • Irregular menstruation (Oligomenorrhea)
  • Skipped or absence of menstruation (Amenorrhea)
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding (Menorrhagia)
  • Excessive Hair growth (face, body – including on back, belly, and chest)
  • Acne (face, chest, and upper back)
  • Weight gain
  • Hair loss (hair on the scalp gets thinner and fall out)
  • Skin darkening (Neck, in the groin, and under the breasts)

What is the best possible treatment for PCOD Problem / PCOS?

PCOD / PCOS treatment focuses on managing your individual problems, such as irregular periods, obesity, infertility, acne, or hirsutism. Treatment usually starts with lifestyle changes like weight loss, diet, and exercise. Losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can help regulate your menstrual cycle.

Treatment will depend on the symptoms like hair growth, acne and metabolic disorders. This includes:

  • Regulate the menstrual cycle by medication to treat hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance
  • Ovulation induction (the quality and quantity of the ovulation) through oral medicines and injections
  • Infertility treatment through fertility drugs
  • Lowering excessive hair growth
  • Skin treatments for acne and pigmentation
  • A laparoscopic procedure – ovarian drilling to destroy androgen-producing tissue in the ovaries, in case of PCOS patients not responded to hormonal treatment

Any diet that helps you lose weight can help your condition. However, some diets may have advantages over others. Weight loss can also improve cholesterol levels, lower insulin, and reduce heart disease and diabetes risks.

20 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at least five days a week can help women to lose weight. Losing weight with exercise also improves ovulation and insulin levels.

The best treatment for PCOD and PCOS will consist of on-time diagnosis and the appropriate treatment modalities can help to overcome the symptoms. Maintaining healthy lifestyle is equally important to treat hormonal imbalance and conditions related.