PCOD Management

DEFINITION

• PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) is a medical condition in women, where the ovaries produce multiple immature eggs which, over time, become cysts on the ovaries.

SYMPTOMS

• Increased androgen levels.
• Irregular periods.
• Difficulty in getting pregnant due to irregular and delayed or failed ovulation.
• Hair loss or excessive thinning of hair. This symptom, too, is due to the increased production of male hormones in the body.
• Acne on the skin
• Weight gain

CAUSES

• Family History

• Insulin resistance & Lifestyle
• Inflammation
• Weight gain

RISK FACTORS

• Various metabolic syndromes, including high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, increased cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
• Miscarriages
• Infertility
• Gestational diabetes
• Sleep apnea
• Type 2 Diabetes
• Depression and other mental disorders
• Endometrial cancer
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Untreatable acne, displaying hormonal problems
• Chronic Liver inflammation

DIAGNOSIS

• A pelvic examination
• Blood tests to quantify hormone levels
• An ultrasound to check the appearance of your ovaries and the uterus

TREATMENT

• Combinatorial birth control pill.
• Progestin therapy.
• Immature follicles treatment.
• Drugs such as clomiphene, letrozole, metformin, and gonadotrophins to improve ovulation.
• To help reduce increase hair growth, your doctor would prescribe various birth control pills, spironolactone, and eflornithine.
• In  severe cases, may perform laparoscopic ovarian drilling, which would help trigger ovulation, that is the release of the egg from the ovaries.

PREVENTION

• Exercise 
• Weight loss 
• Healthy diet
• Focus on wholesome foods as these do not contain preservatives, chemicals, hormones, and artificial sugars. Add more fresh fruits, veggies, legumes, and whole grains to your diet while avoiding processed food products.
• Make sure to have healthy portions of protein in your diet.
• Add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet
• Eat iron-rich foods, including broccoli, spinach, dates, and eggs.
• Magnesium-rich foods like bananas, spinach, almonds, and cashews are PCOS-friendly. Add these too.
• Go for a high-fiber diet, including beans, lentils, pear, broccoli, etc.

• Supplements are recommended as they are seen to improve the PCOD symptoms. Take selenium supplements, omega-3-fish oil, chromium, vitamin-D, vitamin-B complex, vitamin D plus calcium, and inositol.