Living with PCOS/PCOD

We are into the twentieth century, where we need everything. It is “Now and not Later”, patience is at the bar. We prefer food cooked in 2 mins, pizzas delivered to us within 30mins. You would think about how this affects one’s body at large, but the fact is, it does. Earlier people had a satisfied and stress-free, easy-going life, at odds we are born to live and love stress, and this is where all starts from. Earlier student life was learning to live, now it is a competition to survive, earlier people used to work for food, barter system was in the role. We all know what we do today isn’t it?

The stressful schedules, lack of time for self, and diet patterns could lead to the functioning of our body; these are the conditions where hormonal imbalance comes into action. We are introduced to much hormonal imbalance, somewhere in the age of teens, to early 20s to mid-30s, and so on. The causes are unknown; however, it is increasing too many in 100s. Whenever we notice some changes in our body, do not wait long for online consultation with the doctor to rule out the cause.

Common hormonal stages affecting our body are weight gain, feeling fatigued, muscle aches, sweating, a hump between shoulders, mood swings, skin problems, hair growth or loss, etc. A hormonal disorder that causes the ovaries enlarged with small cysts on the exterior edges, with abdominal pain, these are the few most common symptoms that we notice, and consulting a gynecologist doctor will soon rule out the causes and direct us to the precautions and cure.

Learning more about these hormonal disorders that the majority of females as suffering from are PCOS, PCOD, endometriosis, etc. and the treatment starts with birth control pills to regularise the periods, hormones to increase the fertility and medications on remove excess hair growth, exercises and diets to control weight gain. However, even though the basic treatment being the same all the disorders are very different than each other.

Before that let us know about the most important organ, the ovary. All women have a pair of ovaries, one on each side of the uterus called the left and the right ovary. They release the eggs alternatively every month.  Ovaries also have another important role; they produce female hormones that play many important roles that involve diverse functions ranging from fertility, menstrual cycle, and facial hair growth, keep the skin glowing, more importantly, keep us mentally strong, etc. 

PCOS: Polycystic ovary syndrome

What is PCOS?

PCOS is also where it affects the hormones of women. A PCOS patient releases more than a higher level of male hormones, this leads to irregular skipping of periods for months. It may also end up tough on getting to conceive.

PCOS women also have similar symptoms like hair growth, hair loss, diabetes, etc. PCOS hormone levels also affect the ovaries and the ovulation period, gets cysts in the ovaries, high levels of male’s androgen hormones, irregularity in the period cycle, at times also it is found fluid-filled pouch grow in the ovaries, or many small cysts found in the ovary called polycystic. There are almost 70% of the females today not diagnosed with PCOS and battling daily with it. You can also choose to go for an online gynecologist consultation on regular basis to get proper guidance for this hormonal imbalance.

Causes of PCOS

The exact cause of PCOS is yet unknown even by doctors. But the factors that play an important role are listed below:

• Heredity: Many pieces of research show the link between PCOS and the hereditary genes;
• Excessive Androgen levels: the ovaries produce excessive androgen levels, this results in acne and hirsutism;
• Low Inflammation levels: The ladies suffering from PCOS have low-grade inflammation, stimulating the ovaries to produce high levels of androgens further leading to blood vessels and heart problems;
• Insulin resistance: Pancreas produces a hormone named Insulin. The main function of insulin is to allow cells to use sugar, the primary energy supply of your body.  When the cells become resistant to insulin action, the level of blood sugar increases resulting in more insulin production. High levels of Insulin increases the levels of androgen production, which leads to infertility in women;
• Obesity: PCOS and obesity is said to go hand-in-hand, so one of the major cause of PCOS can be excessive weight;

Symptoms of PCOS

Many women start experiencing the symptoms of PCOS during their first period itself. Others may experience weight gain, headaches, acne issues, irregular periods, or may face problems with their pregnancy.

The most common symptoms of PCOS are:

• Heavy bleeding: you may experience heavier periods than the normal one, as the uterine lining is building up for a longer period.
•  Irregular periods: 10-12 periods in a year are considered to be a normal period cycle, and the normal period cycle of women is 21 days to 40 days. But women with PCOS may have less than 10 periods in a year.
• Acne: The presence of male hormones leads to oily skin and causes pimples or acne on the chest, face, and upper back.
• Weight Gain: more than 80% of women suffering from PCOS are overweight or obese.
• Hair Growth: More than 80% of women also suffer from hair growth on their body and face, including the back, face, and belly. Excessive hair growth is called hirsutism.
• Headaches: The hormonal imbalance also triggers headaches in many women.
• Other symptoms can be darkening of the skin, baldness, and hair loss.

Risk Factors of PCOS

There are several risk factors of PCOS and increases the chances of having health issues in your later life. Some of the risk factors are:

• Weight Gain due to PCOS;
• Depression and mood swings: you feel depressed and may have mood swings frequently. PCOS symptoms hamper your self-esteem and confidence level;
• Type 2 diabetes: the levels of blood sugar become too high causing type 2 diabetes;
• Sleep apnoea: this is a condition where you may experience interrupted breathing while sleeping;
• High cholesterol and high blood pressure: this may lead to heart stroke and heart disease;
• Metabolic syndrome: many women experience weight gains overnight, and PCOS and weight gain together affect the body such as increases the cholesterol levels, blood pressure, this is known as a metabolic syndrome;
• Infertility: PCOS causes infertility in women as they don’t ovulate regularly and don’t release the eggs that need to be fertilized;

Apart from this, women who have had irregular periods for many years (like 3-4 periods only in a year), may be at a higher risk of suffering from endometrial cancer.

Treatment for PCOS

PCOS treatment depends from person to person as per their concerns, such as acne, infertility, weight gain, hirsutism, or irregular periods. The treatment can be medication or lifestyle changes. And, now it has become much easier with having a quick talk with a gynecologist online.

–   Lifestyle changes

The doctors usually recommend weight loss with a few moderate exercises and yoga along with a low-calorie diet. Even if you lose 5% of your total body weight, you can notice the changes in your condition. Weight loss can also help with fertility and increase the effectiveness of your medications. So minor lifestyle changes will help you a lot in controlling PCOS.

• Medications

To get a regular menstrual cycle, your doctor might recommend certain medications such as:

1. Progestin Therapy: Your doctor prescribes progestin medicine to be taken for 10-14 days for at least 2 months to regulate your period cycle, and also this will protect you from endometrial cancer. But this doesn’t change the androgen levels or help you to conceive.
2. Birth Control Pills: Pills containing progestin and estrogen decreases the production of androgen and regulates the estrogen level. The birth control pills lower the risk of cancer, reduces acne and excess hair growth along with improving bleeding. You can also opt to use a vaginal ring or skin patch that contains progestin and estrogen both.
3. Lifestyle and home remedies

And, the best is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and trying some home remedies such as:

1. Active lifestyle: Exercise consistently as it helps in lowering blood sugar levels. Be active which will help in decreasing the effect of PCOS and also prevent insulin resistance. Being active will also help in losing weight and prevent from diabetes.
2. Maintain a balanced and healthy weight: Weight loss is the best remedy for solving the POCS thing as it helps in reducing androgen levels and insulin, also it will help in conceiving. Take an online consultation with a gynecologist or dietician for a weight loss program.
3. Low consumption of carbohydrates: High carbohydrate and low fat can increase insulin levels. So opt to consume a low carbohydrate diet, this will raise your level of blood sugar at a slow pace.

PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease)

What is PCOD?

PCOD is a condition where the ovaries get enlarged, produce eggs that are inadequate or undeveloped and so it turns into cysts. The actual cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is not well known; however, it entails a mixture of genetic and daily routine. Diets that include excess spices, oily, junk food, obesity, stressful and hormonal disturbances lead us to PCOD.

Symptoms include uneven periods, abdominal mass gain, difficulties in ovulating, hair loss, excess facial hair growth, facial acne, etc. In PCOD, the ovaries tend to enlarge, secrete an excess amount of androgens which causes problems with a woman’s fertility and her body at large.

If you shy in talking to the doctor face to face, you can also take an online consultation with your gynecologist today and give a quick solution to PCOD.

Causes of PCOD

To date, PCOD causes are till date unknown. But PCOD can be caused by excess insulin, unhealthy lifestyle, low-grade inflammation, high quantity production of male hormones, and genetics. Other factors causing PCOD are pollution and the start of periods at an early age.

Symptoms of PCOD

Listed below are the common symptoms of PCOD:

• Heavy bleeding;
• Irregular periods (2-3 months’ delay or so);
• Headaches;
• Weight gain especially around belly area;
• Infertility;
• Skin darkening especially around neck region and pigmentation;
• Uncontrollable and stubborn acne, can’t get treated with treatments too;
• Facial hair growth;
• Hair thinning or baldness;

The Risk factor of PCOD

There are many risk factors of PCOD, which if ignored can be harmful:

• Weight gain due to PCOD, and weight gain related issues such as diabetes, heart problems, and high blood pressure;
• High risk of breast cancer;
• High risk of endometrial cancer;
• Infertility;

Treatment of PCOD

The doctors don’t have any exact problem solutions for PCOD, but there are certain other treatments for PCOD such as:

• The best way of managing PCOD is weight management, consult a dietician and try reducing 5-10% of your total weight which will help in controlling PCOD; Also exercise and try yoga on regular basis along with having a healthy meal plan;
• Consult gynecologists online for the delay in periods or heavy bleeding issues;
• Skin problems such as hair growth, acne, and pigmentation can be treated by consulting a dermatologist;
• For infertility, doctors suggest fertility drugs;
• Many cases also need advanced treatments such as laparoscopic surgery, aromatase inhibitors, or ovarian drilling;
• Home remedies and lifestyle changes can also help in treating the PCOD problem;
• For patients who want to conceive but are suffering from PCOD, aggressive treatments are conducted for balancing the hormones and regulating the period cycle;
• Injections and other oral medicines are suggested for ovulation and rupturing the egg for solving the infertility issue;

But most importantly, PCOD can be well treated by balancing a healthy lifestyle and medication both.

PCOS Vs. PCOD

PCOD vs PCOS– most of us get confused between the two! Both the issues are related to hormonal imbalance and ovaries, but there is a certain visible difference between PCOD and PCOS such as:

1. PCOD is common: Every other woman is today suffering from PCOD, whereas PCOS has a lesser number of cases;
2. PCOS is a more serious issue: PCOD can be controlled with a proper diet, regular exercise, and weight management and you can get rid of it but PCOS is a metabolic disorder;
3. More risk factors are associated with PCOS: Women with PCOS have a high risk of having high blood pressure, obesity, endometrial cancer, diabetes, and even breast cancer;
4. More fertility issues with PCOS: You can easily conceive with PCOD by a proper doctor consultation but women suffering from PCOS have to face too much struggle relating to infertility and have higher chances of miscarriages;
5. With PCOD you can ovulate on regular basis: PCOD and PCOS have similar symptoms but with PCOD a woman ovulates regularly and also can be successful while planning a pregnancy. But with PCOS woman stop ovulating because of hormonal changes and imbalance;
6. And, PCOS starts with early age itself, the teenagers start experiencing excessive hair growth, metabolic issues, acne, and pigmentation;

Mediflam: Consult Top Gynaecologists

Mediflam is an online health check-up provider, an initiative taken by the Flamingo group of companies. With Mediflam you can reach some of the top gynecologists with just a click.

So for any more details on online gynecologist consultation, you can contact our health service provider or visit our website. We will be happy to serve you.

How to book an appointment with Mediflam’s Gynaecologist for Online Consultation?

1. Visit our website-Mediflam, to consult the best gynecologists.
2. Go to the “gynecology” category to search your top gynecologists (we have male/female both listed);
3. You have the option of audio call and video call both to select from, with different time slots, book the appointment as per your preference;
4. And, then follow the steps for the checkout procedure;

Frequently Asked Questions

Are PCOD and PCOS are same?

When it comes to PCOD vs PCOS, many of us are still confused. Though both diseases are related to hormonal issues and ovaries, PCOS is a condition caused by a hormonal imbalance while PCOS is a metabolic disorder or endocrine system disorder.

What is the reason for PCOD?

The reason for PCOD is unknown to date but it is highly associated with insulin resistance, low-grade inflammation, the release of a larger quantity of male hormones, pollution, and an unhealthy lifestyle.

What are the symptoms of PCOD in females?

The major symptoms of PCOD are:

• Irregular periods;
• Weight gain or obesity;
• Cysts in ovaries shown in sonography;
• Darkening of skin, pigmentation, and acne;

What are the signs of having PCOS?

The main signs of PCOS are:

• Excessive hair growth on chin, face, and neck;
• No periods or irregular periods;
• Oily acne-prone skin;
• Excessive weight gain;
• Difficulty in conceiving;
• Hair loss from the scalp;

What is the main cause of PCOS?

When certain hormones start getting producing in a larger quantity than required, it is called androgens. So a hormonal imbalance is one of the main causes of PCOS.

Is pregnancy possible with PCOD?

Yes, a woman suffering from PCOD can still get pregnant and can deliver a healthy baby.