Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) is a medical condition in which the ovaries produce multiple immature eggs, which develop into cysts on the ovaries over time.
The ovaries are a female’s reproductive organs that control the menstrual cycle and the production of estrogen levels, progesterone, inhibin, relaxin, and others. The accumulation of eggs causes the ovary to swell and release large amounts of male hormone, resulting in infertility.
PCOD is a hormonal disorder that affects approximately 5- 10% of women of childbearing age (12 to 45-years). While the prevalence of PCOD varies, it affects approximately 9% to 22% of Indian women. In China and Sri Lanka, the figures range between 2% and 7%.
In this condition, a woman’s hormones become out of balance, resulting in a variety of symptoms such as ovulation failure, irregular menstrual cycles, difficulty conceiving, weight gain, acne, and hirsutism. If untreated, PCOD, also known as PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), can lead to additional health complications such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and high cholesterol.
Common PCOD/PCOS symptoms
The first signs and symptoms of PCOD usually appear during the first menstrual cycle of puberty. PCOD may also develop later in life as a result of weight gain over time.
PCOD manifests itself in a variety of ways. Some of the most common symptoms are as follows:
- Androgen levels have risen. Excess male sex hormones can cause a variety of physical symptoms, including excess facial and body hair and male-pattern baldness.
- Periods that are irregular. Due to an abnormality in egg maturation, you may experience irregular periods or a delayed menstrual cycle.
- Difficulty conceiving due to irregular, delayed, or failed ovulation. The body’s hormone imbalance prevents the follicles from maturing and releasing the egg, resulting in delayed or failed ovulation. This has a significant impact on the menstrual cycle and, as a result, your periods. Many women are diagnosed with PCOD after visiting their doctor about their inability to conceive.
- Hair loss or excessive hair thinning. This symptom is also caused by the body’s increased production of male hormones.
- Skin blemishes
- gaining weight
What is the root cause of PCOD?
History of the family
Women who have immediate female relatives who have PCOD have a 50% chance of developing the disease. Because PCOD is a risk factor for developing diabetes, it may lead to Type 2 diabetes as you get older. A single gene has yet to be identified as the cause of PCOD, and it is likely to be complex and involve multiple genes.
Insulin resistance and lifestyle
Around 70% of PCOD women have peripheral insulin resistance. The pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that aids the body in using sugar from foods for energy. Insulin resistance prevents cells from properly utilising insulin, increasing the body’s demand for insulin. In order to compensate, the pancreas produces more insulin.
Insulin resistance factors:
- Insulin resistance caused by genetic factors.
- Being overweight causes insulin resistance (related to diet and inactivity)
- A combination of the two factors
Inflammation
In women, PCOS can cause an increase in inflammation. Being overweight can also contribute to inflammation. Excess inflammation has been linked to higher androgen levels in PCOD, according to research.
Weight
A higher weight can sometimes worsen insulin resistance and the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome. Some PCOD women report that they have never had symptoms like menstrual irregularity or excessive hair growth and that they are a healthy weight. However, these symptoms appear only after they gain weight.
How is PCOD diagnosed?
While no specific test exists to confirm PCOD, your doctor will discuss your medical history and perform a physical examination to confirm the condition. They may then advise
- A pelvic examination is performed.
- Blood tests to determine hormone levels
- An ultrasound will be performed to examine the appearance of your ovaries and uterus.
- If you are diagnosed with PCOD, your doctor will advise you to have regular checkups.
What are the major issues associated with PCOD?
PCOD can cause some complications. These include a variety of diseases and medical conditions, including
- Metabolic syndromes include high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, elevated cholesterol, and blood glucose levels.
- Miscarriages
- Infertility
- Diabetes during pregnancy
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Diabetes Type 2
- Depression and other mental illnesses
- Cancer of the endometrium
- Uterine bleeding that isn’t normal
- Untreatable acne with hormonal issues
- Chronic Inflammation of the Liver
According to studies, by the age of forty, approximately half of women with PCOD will have pre-diabetes or will be diabetic, while many others will face infertility during their childbearing years.
How PCOD affects getting pregnant?
You can easily become pregnant if your PCOD is under control. Women with PCOS and PCOD can conceive naturally until the condition becomes too severe. However, keep in mind that people with PCOD have limited ovarian capacity when planning your pregnancy. The number of healthy eggs is significantly lower in women who do not have PCOD.
As a result, if you have PCOD, it is best to plan an early pregnancy. Increasing age has an effect on egg quality and may result in additional complications in your case. Consult your gynaecologist and make appropriate plans.
Is there any PCOD treatment?
The cure for PCOD has yet to be discovered. You can, however, manage the condition with proper treatment and lifestyle changes. For PCOD, your healthcare team will most likely use a multidisciplinary treatment approach. A gynaecologist, endocrinologist, dietician, infertility specialist, and dermatologist may be included.
Proper weight management is one of the most practical ways to manage and keep your symptoms under control. Did you know that even a 5% weight loss will make your treatment easier and more effective? As a result, women with PCOD must exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet. If you have this condition, limit your carbohydrate and sugar intake while increasing your fibre and protein intake.
PCOD treatment options: Medications and Surgery
Following your consultation, your doctor will recommend various medications to correct your menstrual cycle. He may prescribe medications such as
- Combinatorial contraception pill These pills contain progestin and oestrogen, which inhibit the production of male sex hormones and regulate your hormones, allowing follicles to release eggs, causing acne and excessive hair growth.
- Progestin treatment. In this medication, your doctor will advise you to take progestin for ten to fourteen days every month or two to regulate and correct your menstrual cycle.
- Treatment of immature follicles Immature follicle aspiration PCOS treatment may also be recommended by your doctor to improve your endocrinology and decrease the number of follicles in the ovary, thereby facilitating pregnancy.
- To improve ovulation, your doctor may prescribe drugs such as clomiphene, letrozole, metformin, and gonadotrophins.
- Your doctor may prescribe various birth control pills, spironolactone, and eflornithine to help reduce increased hair growth.
- Although surgery is not an immediate option, your doctor may perform laparoscopic ovarian drilling in severe cases to help trigger ovulation, or the release of the egg from the ovaries.
Dietary PCOD Treatment
While there are many lifestyle recommendations for women with PCOD, you are encouraged to follow a PCOD diet with low fat and carbohydrate content. This will keep your blood sugar levels stable and help you maintain a healthy weight. Foods that may be included are as follows:
- Unprocessed, natural food
- Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens
- Fiber-rich foods
- Cauliflower and broccoli
- Legumes and nuts
- Fish
- Whole wheat
- Dairy with low fat
Nutrition and diet are crucial in the treatment of any disorder. Include the following nutrients in your daily diet to naturally treat PCOD.
Vitamin B6 – It aids in hormone balance and is essential in controlling PCOD. Almonds, wild rice, milk, yoghurt, eggs, Brussels sprouts, spinach, and soybeans all contain it.
Vitamins B2, B3, B5, and B6 are especially beneficial for weight control. Yeast, red meat, milk, eggs, beans, and green vegetables all contain it.
Vitamin B5 – It aids in weight loss by controlling fat metabolism. Avocados, yogurt, eggs, meat, and legumes all contain it.
Vitamin B6, along with vitamins B2 and B3, is required for normal thyroid hormone production. Chicken, turkey, tuna, salmon, lentils, sunflower seeds, cheese, brown rice, and other foods contain it.
What are the best exercises to control PCOD?
If you have PCOD, the first thing you should do is lower your BMI. There are several types of exercises to consider.
- HIIT
- Cardiovascular exercises
- Mind-body workouts
- Strengthening exercises
- Training intervals
Final words
There is no single cause of PCOD. However, early detection or diagnosis of PCOD will be beneficial in relieving symptoms and reducing complications. PCOD treatment can assist you in dealing with issues such as infertility, hirsute, acne, immature follicles, and obesity. However, specific treatment may entail dietary changes or medication.