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Hormonal Imbalance; PCOD: All we need to know

About

PCOD is a disorder affecting a woman’s hormone levels. Women suffering from PCOD produce higher than normal levels of male hormones.

Also known as: PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

In total, 2.2%-26.7% of women have PCOD in the childbearing ages i.e., 15-45 years. There are more than 1 million cases in India per year.[1]

- Not self-treatable
- Self-diagnosable
- Laboratory tests and imaging are required
- Long-term: Can persist for years

Features of PCOD
Three main features of PCOD are as follows:
● Cysts in the ovaries.
● Higher levels of male hormones.
● Irregular menstrual cycle.

Causes
Exact causes of PCOD are known. The higher levels of male hormones prevent ovaries from functioning normally and prevent them from making eggs.
Some of the factors linked to higher levels of male hormone production are as follows:
● Genes
● Insulin resistance
● inflammation

Symptoms

Self-diagnosable:
● Irregular or skipped periods.
● Heavy bleeding.
● Hair growth on the face and other body parts and acne.
● Weight gain.
People may experience: Baldness and darkening of the skin.
Also common: headaches

Diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosis: Some of the common tests used for diagnosis are as follows:
● Pelvic exam: This test is used to examine the problems associated with ovaries or the reproductive system.
● A blood test is used to check the level of male hormones in the body.
● Ultrasound is used to check for the presence of follicles and cysts present in the ovaries.

Treatment

Self-care: Maintaining a healthy weight, taking proper diet, and exercising regularly may help to reduce the symptoms of PCOD.

Medications: Birth control pills, diabetes drugs, fertility drugs, and hair removal medicines may be recommended by the doctor as per the need of the patient.

Specialists: For further concern, consult a doctor or a gynecologist. At mfine, you will receive a holistic treatment plan for optimum health.