Polycystic Ovarian Disease
The Lifestyle Disease You May Not Know You Have
What is Polycystic Ovarian Disease, what are the risk factors, what are the signs and symptoms, how to diagnose, and what are the treatment options?
Introduction:
Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) is a common disorder affecting women of reproductive age.
It has a number of symptoms that can cause distress and interfere with the quality of life.
The condition is common in women of reproductive age and affects between 5% and 10% of women worldwide.
PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility in women, so it's important to understand how it develops and how you can manage it.
What is PCOD?
Polycystic ovarian disease is a condition in which a woman's ovaries produce an abnormally large number of follicles, which contain eggs.
These follicles do not develop properly, leading to an imbalance of sex hormones.
The condition may also cause irregular menstrual periods and infertility.
What are the Risk Factors for PCOD?
- Genetic factors: The risk of PCOS is greater in women who have a family history of the disorder.
- Metabolic syndrome: This is a cluster of factors that includes high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, insulin resistance, and abdominal obesity. People with metabolic syndrome are more likely to develop PCOS than those without this condition.
- Insulin resistance: This occurs when your body does not respond adequately to insulin which leads to higher levels of glucose (sugar) in your bloodstream than normal. Insulin resistance can cause both ovaries to produce excess androgens (male hormones), leading to PCOS symptoms like excess hair growth on the face/body or acne breakouts around the chin area.
There are other factors that contribute to PCOS, such as:
- age (women aged 15-30 are at higher risk),
- race/ethnicity (Hispanic and African American women have higher rates), and environmental factors like
- smoking cigarettes or drinking alcohol on a regular basis,
- a diet low in fiber,
- lack of exercise and
- high-stress levels.
These factors may contribute more than genetics alone.
If you’re concerned about your risk for PCOS, speak to your family doctor or gynecologist. They can help guide you towards a diagnosis and treatment plan.
What are the Signs & Symptoms of PCOD?
- Infertility is a common symptom of PCOD. Women who have this condition often have difficulty conceiving and can experience irregular periods, which is known as anovulation.
- Acne and excess hair growth are also signs of PCOS, so if you're noticing these symptoms it's important to talk to your doctor.
- Weight gain and mood swings are two more symptoms that may indicate PCOS.
It's worth noting that many women with PCOS don't develop all the problems listed above; some only have one or two issues with their health or appearance.
However, if you notice any of these symptoms it's best to consult your doctor as soon as possible so they can diagnose the condition and recommend a treatment plan for managing it
Sleep problems are another symptom of PCOS, which can cause women to feel tired during the day and have trouble falling asleep at night.
This can affect productivity at work and school, so it's important to address any sleep issues early on if possible.
Symptoms can vary in severity, but it's important to know what they are so you can get help as soon as possible.
How do you Diagnose PCOD?
Diagnosis of PCOD is made by taking a detailed medical history, and performing a physical examination and blood test.
A detailed medical history should be taken from the patient to find out whether she has any symptoms or other problems related to PCOS. A thorough physical examination may help in detecting signs of hormonal imbalance in patients with PCOS.
The doctor will ask about the patient’s menstrual cycle, including how long her periods last and how often they come (for example, every month).
The doctor might also ask about any pain or discomfort during menstruation; whether she has acne or excess hair growth on her face or body; if she is losing weight without trying hard; if she has difficulty concentrating; if her voice sounds deep; if she has an irregular period (missing periods); and whether there is any pain associated with menstruation.
A blood test is also done to check levels of hormones in the body. Blood tests may also be performed to check if there is an imbalance between estrogen and progesterone, which could explain certain symptoms.
Blood work can determine whether or not a woman has elevated levels of testosterone (hyperandrogenism) by looking at the testosterone level in her blood.
An ultrasound test is also performed to check for polycystic ovaries. The ultrasound test may show enlarged ovaries with multiple small cysts.
All three tests together can help doctors diagnose PCOS in women who are not pregnant and have not gone through menopause yet.
What are the Treatment Options for PCOD?
The treatment options for PCOS include:
- Insulin sensitizers: Metformin, thiazolidinediones (rosiglitazone and pioglitazone), and glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists (exenatide) can reduce insulin resistance by increasing the sensitivity of tissues to insulin.
- Oral contraceptives: The use of oral contraceptives can help stabilize menstrual periods in women with PCOS.
Hormonal therapy: Medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA, medroxyprogesterone), dydrogesterone (DDG) and oral progestogens may be helpful in regulating menstrual periods. MPA is given at 15mg/day for 10 days, starting on day 16 of the cycle. DDG is given at 20mg/day for 10 days starting on day 5 of the cycle.
Weight loss: Weight loss can reduce testosterone levels and insulin resistance. Weight loss may also reduce the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) developing in overweight women with a family history of PCOS.
A low-carbohydrate diet may help women with PCOS lose weight and reduce insulin resistance. resistance. Weight loss can also reduce the production of androgens in ovaries and adrenal glands, which may help to improve fertility.
However, it is important not to lose weight too rapidly as this can cause low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia).
Lifestyle Changes that can help with PCOD.
There are many lifestyle changes that can help with PCOD.
These include:
-Eating a healthy, balanced diet low in fats and sugar and high in fiber.
-Try to quit smoking and avoid fizzy drinks and alcohol as they can increase insulin resistance.
Reduce stress: Stress is one of the most common causes of PCOD. It can increase your levels of insulin and testosterone, which can trigger PCOD. Stress management techniques such as mindfulness meditation and yoga may help reduce levels of these hormones and improve fertility.
Exercise: Getting regular physical activity, such as walking or cycling for at least 30 minutes every day. Regular exercise can help reduce insulin resistance, which might improve fertility in women with PCOD.
Treatment of Excessive Hair Growth: Treatment of excess hair growth or hirsutism is usually done by a dermatologist or a medical professional who specializes in hair disorders. This treatment can be done with medications and/or surgery.
Medications used for treating excessive hair growth include:
-Antiandrogens (examples are spironolactone [Aldactone] and finasteride [Propecia])
-GnRH agonists (example is leuprolide acetate)
Depilatories are creams that can be applied to the skin to remove hair. They can be found in most drugstores or supermarkets, but may not work as well as other treatments.
Laser therapy and electrolysis are both options for reducing unwanted facial hair growth. Laser therapy uses a beam of light to destroy hair follicles, while electrolysis uses electric current to destroy the root of each individual hair. Both methods can take several treatments before they begin to show results.
Surgical treatment for PCOD includes the following:
-Ovarian drilling (puncture of the ovary)
-Laparoscopic ovarian diathermy ablation (destruction of follicular tissue in the ovary)
Conclusion:
PCOD is a common condition that can affect every woman at some point in her life. It may cause infertility, menstrual irregularities and unwanted hair growth in women. Treatment options include birth control pills and other medicines, lifestyle modifications such as diet changes and exercise, and surgery.
PCOD can be managed effectively if diagnosed early and treated. The earlier you seek treatment, the better your chances of preventing complications like infertility, weight gain, acne and hirsutism.
Consult with your Gynecologist to understand the cause and type of PCOD you are suffering from, as this will help your doctor to recommend appropriate treatment. Remember that PCOD is not a life-threatening condition, but it can lead to serious complications if left untreated. It is important that you visit your doctor immediately if you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above.
PCOD is a condition that can be managed with proper treatment and lifestyle modifications and you can lead a healthy life with it.