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Your PCOD Guide: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Dr. Sreelekha Daruvuri

4 Min Read

PCOD or PCOS is a condition in women that causes hormonal problems and the way in which the ovaries function. With PCOD on the rise, it is extremely alarming that most of the cases go undiagnosed or the diagnosis gets delayed resulting in long-term complications.

It is, therefore imperative to learn more about this lifestyle disorder and be more self-aware. Let’s take a look at the symptoms, causes and long-term effects of PCOD on a woman’s body along with some diet and lifestyle changes that will help in its management.

What is PCOD/PCOS?

PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition that causes a hormonal imbalance in women due to excess of androgens. There is no single proven cause of PCOS but some of the known contributing factors include genetics, familial predisposition, resistance to the hormone that lowers sugars and low-grade inflammation. The condition is marked by an overproduction of male hormones known as androgens. This condition affects women who are of reproductive age (from 15 to 44 years) and causes a wide range of symptoms.

What happens during PCOD?

Ovaries are the female reproductive organs that release the egg(s) each month, in a process known as ovulation. The ovaries secrete two hormones- oestrogen and progesterone which are responsible for normal periods. The ovaries are in turn governed by two hormones known as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), which are secreted by the pituitary gland.

PCOS causes an imbalance of these hormones along with the overproduction of androgens, leading to irregular periods and difficulty in conception. PCOS as the name suggests generally has “cysts” on the ovaries which are just follicles that have not matured into viable eggs and contain an excess of androgens.

Symptoms and complications of PCOD

The time of onset and range of symptoms of PCOS differ in each woman. An overview of the various symptoms and complications is mentioned below.

Short-term symptoms –

Irregular period cycles – from as low as 6 periods/year to no periods at all
Overgrowth of facial and body hair
Acne breakouts
Excessive weight gain or difficulty in losing weight
Difficulty in getting pregnant

Long-term complications –

Type-II diabetes
Hypertension and high blood pressure
An increase in the level of bad cholesterol in the blood
Cardiovascular disease
Appearance of dark patches on the skin
Spells of depression and lethargy
Sleep Apnea(secondary to the weight gain)
Endometrial cancer

Treatment strategies for PCOD

PCOS is not a curable condition and treatment involves effective management of the symptoms in a patient. Mentioned below are the various treatment strategies for PCOS.

Diet and lifestyle modifications- Healthy changes in lifestyle like weight loss, exercise, and a proper diet are the first line of management in handling any case of PCOS. Diet control has two main effects on patients with PCOS. It not only helps in bringing body weight under control but also plays a key role in maintain normal blood sugar levels Even if a patient manages to shed just 10% of their body weight through a proper diet and exercise, it will help in the normalizing menstrual cycle.

Apart from this, anti-inflammatory foods like turmeric, tomatoes, and spinach also help. It is vital to include sources of essential fatty acids such as walnuts, almonds, and fish among others as they play a key role in reducing inflammation. Additionally, there are foods that PCOS patients should avoid completely. These include all kinds of processed meats and foods, sugary drinks and refined carbohydrates such as white bread and pastries. Behavioural lifestyle changes include taking necessary care for psychological issues, reducing stress through meditation and yoga, managing life goals and various self-help and self-monitoring techniques. Patients should ensure that they stay hydrated throughout the day and get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep.

Medication- Medical treatments for PCOS revolves around hormonal regulation of the menstrual cycle. The most common medication prescribed by doctors for PCOS is oral contraceptive pills. Oral contraceptive pills help in restoring the hormonal balance in the body which in turn regularizes periods and helps in reducing acne and hair growth. Progestin therapy for the second half of the cycle will also help in the regularization of the menstrual cycle and it also reduces the risk of endometrial cancer. For patients planning for pregnancy, inducing ovulation using ovulation-induction-drugs are the treatment of choice.

Sensitizers – They help decrease the resistance of the hormone that lowers sugars thus improving body metabolism and hormonal profile and also helps to improve ovulation rates.

Surgical treatments – Surgical management of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
is aimed mainly at restoring ovulation. Ovarian drilling is used to treat PCOS when all other methods fail. Ovarian drilling involves drilling into the ovary to burst the cysts that contain the excess androgens. The drilling is done laparoscopically using a small needle. This helps in revitalizing ovulation. Apart from this, laser therapy and electrolysis can be used to remove excess body hair.

Since the symptoms are common for a lot of conditions, PCOD often goes undiagnosed. The MFine app brings a whole host of expert gynecologists, endocrinologists, diabetologist, dermatologist and nutritionist who are adept at diagnosing and managing such complex conditions. Women with PCOS can now easily consult medical experts and get accurate diagnosis and treatment right from the comfort of their homes.