Q. What is PCOD?
A. Pcod stands for polycystic ovarian syndrome. It is a disease characterized by excessive production of immature or partly developed eggs by women’s ovaries, which over time develop into ovarian cysts. This results in enlarged ovaries that release high amounts of androgens, which can lead to irregular menstruation, infertility; unnatural weight gain and hair fall.
Q. What are the causes of PCOD?
A. The precise cause of pcod is still unknown. But there are some key contributing factors:
- Raised levels of androgens-The ovaries generate usually high levels of androgen hormones, which can cause acne and hirsutism.
- High levels of insulin-Peripheral insulin resistance affect around 70% of women who have pcod. A male hormone called androgen is produced in very small amount in females but may be produced more often by the body if there is excess of insulin.
- Genetic factors-Women who have close female relatives with pcod are 50% more likely to develop this condition.
- High levels of prolactin-this hormone stimulate the breast glands to produce milk during pregnancy.
- High levels of Luteinizing hormones- Due to excessive production from anterior pituitary this stimulates ovulation but may have adverse effects on the ovaries if levels are too high.
- Low levels of sex hormone-binding globulin- it is a type of protein in the blood which binds to testosterone and reduces the effect of testosterone.
Q. What is the PCOS prevalence in India?
A. From the very limited data, PCOD prevalence in India ranges from 3.7% to 22.5%. Due to very limited data and different regions, it is very difficult to define prevalence of pcod in India.
Q. What are the signs and symptoms of PCOD?
- Irregular menstruation- menstrual irregularities in pcod includes absence of menses, periods that occur infrequently or too frequently, heavy menstrual flow or low.
- Infertility- pcos is one of the most common causes of female infertility.
- Obesity- As many as 4 in 5 women with pcod are obese.
- Excessive hair growth on the face, chest, abdomen or upper thighs- this condition called hirsutism, affects more than 7 in 10 women with pcod.
- Patches of thickened, velvety, darkened skin called acanthosis nigricans.
- Multiple small fluid filled sacs in the ovaries.
- Severe acne or acne that occurs after adolescence and does not respond to usual treatments.
Q. How is PCOD diagnosed?
A. Proper case taking like regularity of menses, type of flow, need to take hormonal pills to induce a period and other related medical history.
Obesity and hirsutism as a result of high androgen levels.
Diagnosis can be confirmed by USG of pelvis that shows both the ovaries are enlarged and there are multiple small cysts in the ovaries. These cysts are usually arranged in the form of a necklace along the periphery of the ovary.
Blood tests will also help to understand the hormone levels, these includes-fasting lipid profile, high density lipoprotein, triglycerides levels, low density lipoprotein, glucose tolerance test.
Q. What are the complications of PCOD?
- Abnormal uterine bleeding.
- Infertility or hypertension infertility.
- Type 2 diabetes
- Metabolic syndrome like risk for high blood pressure and high blood sugar, heart disease, diabetes and stroke are increases.
- Depression and sleep apnea also common.
- Miscarriage and endometrial cancer.
Q. Can dietary management or lifestyle modification help in this condition?
A right diet with adequate exercise has shown great result in pcod recovery.
Maintaining healthy body weight or weight loss help in improving overall body cholesterol levels and reduce the risk for metabolic diseases.
Limiting carbohydrates consumption help in maintaining insulin levels.
Doing regular exercises and becoming active will help in regulating blood sugar levels and keep weight under control.
The dos and don’ts in a PCOD diet:
- Drink plenty of water, minimum of 2-3 liters of water/day. Avoid aerated drinks and sugary foods.
- Diet should be followed by lots of vegetables and fruits on a daily basis. Avoid junk food and dairy products.
- Avoid red meat strictly.
- Say yes to whole wheat products and avoid maida.
- Eat small meals frequently throughout the day and maintain a low salt diet.
- Always do yoga and exercise on a daily basis and calm yourself as much as possible.
Q. How Homoeopathy can help in PCOD?
A. Homoeopathy has a lot of potential in treating and curing PCOD. The homoeopathic approach to the management of pcod is constitutional. Proper case taking along with mental physical generals individualizes a person and helps in selection of a similimum. Homoeopathic medicines act at a deeper level and help to treat the disease from its root. Homoeopathic medicines correct the hormonal imbalance naturally; it regulates the ovulation and restores the menstrual cycle.
It opens the possibility of becoming fertile.
Q. What is the appropriate time required to cure PCOD?
A. In homoeopathy most of the patients taking treatment for polycystic ovarian disease experience improvement in the initial 6 months of treatment.
The total course of the treatment depends on various factors such as:
- The condition of the patient
- Severity of the disease
- Susceptibility of the patient
- History of previous treatment taken
- Lifestyle habits of the patient.
