Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD): Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Polycystic Ovarian Disease

Polycystic Ovarian Disease is a health condition that affects the hormone levels of girls and women. Those affected by PCOD produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones that make it difficult for them to conceive and often skip menstrual periods. It may either cause unwanted hair growth or lead to baldness. If left untreated, it may cause obesity, insulin-resistant diabetes, and high cholesterol that may lead to heart disease.

Table of Content

Feel free to skip ahead if one topic catches your eye:

  1. What is PCOD?
  2. What causes it?
  3. Signs indicating you might have PCOD
  4. PCOD Vs PCOS
  5. What are the possible complications?
  6. Diagnosis
  7. Treatment

Takeaway

1. What is PCOD?

Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) is a common health condition that affects women in the age group of 12-45 years. It may have a considerable impact on the menstrual cycle and occurs when the hormones are out of balance.

This health condition can affect the ovaries which are responsible for regulating menstrual cycles by producing estrogen and progesterone. It is important to note that the ovaries are also responsible for producing a small number of androgens (male hormones). Eggs are released by the ovaries to be fertilised by the sperm of a man. The release of eggs on a monthly basis is known as ovulation that is controlled by luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

PCOD primarily characterized by the following three signs:

  • high levels of male hormones manifested as acne, hair fall or excessive hair growth on the face, Under chin, abdomen and back.
  • cysts in the ovaries
  • skipped or irregular periods

The absence of ovulation alters levels of FSH, LH, progesterone, and estrogen. Androgen levels are higher than usual and progesterone and estrogen are lower than usual in women with PCOS. With timely PCOD treatment, these symptoms can be treated.

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2. What causes it?

The exact cause of Polycystic Ovarian Disease is not known. However, it is believed that the following factors play a role in the development of PCOD:

  • Excess androgen: If the female body is producing abnormally high levels of androgens, it may cause PCOD.
  • Hereditary: According to research, specific genes may be associated with PCOD disease.
  • Low-grade inflammation: Girls and women with PCOD usually have a form of low-grade inflammation that has the ability to stimulate polycystic ovaries for producing androgens that may cause blood vessel and heart complications.
  • Excess insulin: Insulin, the hormone produced in the pancreas, allows the cells of our body to utilise sugar, the primary source of energy in the body. If the cells become resistant to insulin, then the levels of blood sugar can rise and this, in turn, will prompt the body to produce more insulin. It may then lead to increased production of androgen and possible issues with ovulation.

PCOD problem solution does exist and you can be cured with the best PCOD treatment by the best gynaecologist in Delhi.

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3. Signs indicating you might have PCOD

PCOD disease symptoms and signs usually tend to develop during puberty around the time of the first menstrual period.

  • Irregular periods: Abnormal menstrual cycles (Prolonged, irregular, or infrequent) are the most common sign of Polycystic Ovarian Disease.
  • Excess androgen: Higher levels of male hormones may cause physical signs like excess body and facial hair, severe or continuing acne, and male-pattern baldness.
  • Polycystic ovaries: The ovaries may be enlarged and include follicles that surround the eggs. Due to this, the ovaries are unable to function efficiently and regularly.

The good news is that you can now discover the best PCOD problem solution by choosing the best PCOD treatment with Dr Puja’s Clinic.

PCOD Treatment

4. PCOD Vs PCOS

Though used interchangeably by some, there are some differences between Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) and Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). While PCOD is a health condition because of hormonal imbalance, PCOS can be defined as an endocrine system disorder.

  • PCOD is more common while PCOS is still rare.
  • Women with PCOD can still conceive successfully while women with PCOS experience higher rates of miscarriages and struggle with infertility.
  • Women with PCOD ovulate periodically while women with PCOS do not ovulate.

5. What are the possible complications?

If left untreated, PCOD may lead to severe health conditions such as:

  • Obesity-related (body mass index above 30 and the circumference higher than 35) conditions like heart problems, diabetes, and high blood pressure.
  • Increased risk of endometrial cancer.
  • Possible higher risk of breast cancer.
  • Infertility (early PCOD treatment may prevent infertility or raise the chances of a healthy pregnancy)

6. Diagnosis

A woman is diagnosed with PCOD if they have at least two of three aforementioned characteristics that are ovarian cysts, increased level of male hormones or irregular menstrual cycles.

The doctor may recommend a pelvic exam or blood tests to check if there are any issues with the ovaries or higher-than-normal male hormone levels. An ultrasound test may be suggested as part of the PCOD treatment plan to look out for possible abnormal follicles or other issues with the uterus or ovaries. Remember, a PCOD problem solution is possible if you act timely and call us for the best PCOD treatment.

7. Treatment

  • The doctor may recommend birth control pills and other medications for regulating the menstrual cycles and treating the symptoms of PCOD such as acne or hair growth.
  • The doctor may also recommend laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) which is a minor surgical procedure or ovarian wedge resection. During LOD, the surgeon may use a laser or electrocautery for destroying some parts of the ovary to trigger ovulation. On the other hand, ovarian wedge resection can be described as the removal of a part of the ovary through surgery that regulates periods and promotes ovulation normally.

Contact us now to find out how you can discover the best PCOD problem solution by accessing reliable PCOD treatment from us.

Takeaway

PCOD can have a severe impact on the menstrual cycles, and therefore fertility in women. Lifestyle changes and interventions such as diet and aerobic exercises are usually the first lines of treatment recommended for PCOD. Medicines or surgery may be options if there is not much good achieved with lifestyle changes.

At Dr Puja’s Clinic, you are always assured of the best PCOD diagnosis and treatment services. We can help you with the identification of PCOD early symptoms through the best PCOD gynaecology services and accurate PCOD lab test results.

Remember, PCOD can be cured if it is timely identified and PCOD complications are handled by a successful and experienced medical practitioner. Call us now for the best doctor for pcod treatment in Delhi and PCOD treatment.

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