PCOD
What is PCOD? PCOD stands for Poly Cystic Ovary Disease. The condition affects the ovaries in women by causing cysts. This leads to a hormonal imbalance with the body producing more male hormones than needed. The hormonal imbalance leads to problems in menstruation and fertility apart from other issues. Women with PCOS may have irregular or prolonged menstrual cycles, as well as high levels of the male hormone androgen. The ovaries may produce a large number of tiny collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to release eggs on a regular basis. If left untreated, PCOD can cause more serious problems like heart disease and diabetes. Read on to find all you need to know about what is PCOD Problems.
PCOD Causes
In PCOD, many small sacs fill up with fluid inside the ovaries. Each of these contains an immature egg that never triggers ovulation. The absence of ovulation leads to a hormonal imbalance with a high release of male hormones. Research hasn’t pointed out the exact reasons what is PCOD problems happen. However, certain factors contribute to it.
They are:
- Genetic makeup
- Insulin Resistance
- Obesity
- High levels of inflammation
- Excess insulin
- Excess androgen
Symptoms of PCOD
- Acne: Women suffering from PCOD commonly develop visible acne in various parts of the body such as the face, neck, and back.
- Irregular Periods: Irregularity in your periods is not a good sign. Some women also experience a heavy flow which is an underlying sign of menstrual irregularity.
- Fluctuating Weight: Most women with PCOD are obese or overweight. If you are unable to lose weight even after exercising and following a diet it could be a sign of PCOD.
- Hair Fall: Hair fall or thinning will occur prominently even after following a healthy scalp routine.
- Diabetes: Women suffering from PCOD are at a higher risk of getting diabetes as an associated co-morbidity.
- Migraines
- Hyperpigmentation: Visual hyperpigmentation around the mouth, neck, and private parts.
- Crown Baldness: Women suffering from PCOD can experience male pattern baldness, and some even lose their hair from their crowns.
- Excessive Hair Growth: Most women who suffer from PCOD have hair growth on their face, back, stomach, and chest. The condition is also called hirsutism.
- Depression: All these symptoms and changes can overwhelm you and may cause depression.
It is important to keep a check on all symptoms as many can go neglected or unattended due to one’s lack of knowledge of the subject. If you find anything unusual about your body or if you notice any of these symptoms, you must consult a doctor.
Diagnosis of PCOD
- Rotterdam criteria detects conditions like clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism, oligo-ovulation (which deals with the lack of ovulation in women), and polycystic ovaries, where there are 12 or more follicles in at least one ovary.
- Standard detection values determined by the Androgen Excess Society (AES), which specifically look at androgen levels and ovarian dysfunction.
- Chronic anovulation, with a cycle period of more than 35 days, or excess androgen, according to the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) and the Androgen Excess and PCOD Society (AES).
Tests Needed For a PCOD diagnosis
- Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- Luteinizing hormone
- Testosterone levels
- Estrogens levels
- Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)
- Androstenedione
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG)
- Anti-Müllerian hormone
Other Tests for Similar Conditions
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to differentiate it from PCOD
- Cortisol levels to rule out Cushing syndrome
- Serum Prolactin to rule out hyperprolactinemia
- 17-hydroxyprogesterone to rule out congenital hyperplasia
- Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate to rule out adrenal tumour
- Lipid profile tests and cholesterol tests
- HbA1c or Hemoglobin A1C to measure average insulin levels in a three month period
- Ovarian ultrasonography
- Pelvic CT scan
Pcod Test
Important Tests: CBC, LH, FSH, Insulin, Testosterone & DHEAS
How are the Two Conditions Different?
Nature of the condition: PCOS is a serious condition. PCOD is not considered to be truly a disease since with the right diet and exercise, it can be managed. PCOS, on the other hand, is a metabolic disorder.
1. Causative Factors:
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a disorder of the endocrine system, while PCOD is a condition developed by the imbalance of hormones. It is believed that hormonal imbalances and genetics play an essential role in both conditions. The theory is that high levels of male hormones prevent ovaries from producing hormones and producing eggs normally. Insulin resistance and inflammation have also been linked to excess androgen production.
2. Occurrence:
PCOD is more common in comparison. Almost one-third of women around the globe suffer from Polycystic Ovarian Disease. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome has a lower number of patients.
3. Impact of PCOD & PCOS on Pregnancy:
Polycystic Ovarian Disease does not lead to infertility in all women and shouldn’t be considered an obstacle towards pregnancy. In about 80 per cent of cases, women can possibly conceive with a little aid and experience a smooth pregnancy. For women with PCOS, conception can be a challenge due to the hormonal irregularities. To conceive, one should have balanced hormonal cycles that can create an environment for the ovum to release and infuse with the sperm post-intercourse. Since the levels of androgens in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome are very high, if one falls under the syndrome, conception can become a bit of a challenge.
Maintaining good health is essential to prevent as well as treat hormonal disturbances and conditions. The best treatment for PCOD and PCOS will include timely diagnosis and the appropriate steps that can help overcome the syndrome and make the journey towards conception a success.
PCOD Treatment
The primary treatment for PCOD consist of changes in lifestyle together with medications. The objectives of treatment methods might be regarded under four categories:
- Minimizing of insulin resistance levels
- Rejuvenation of fertility
- Management of hirsutism or acne breakouts
- Revitalization of regular menstruation, and also avoidance of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancers.
In all these cases, there exists substantial discussion with regards to the optimal treatment. Among the primary reasons behind it are the insufficient large-scale medical studies evaluating diverse treatment options. Smaller tests are usually significantly less dependable and thus might generate different outcomes.
