What is PCOD and How Can it Be Treated

Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), otherwise known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), is a condition that is commonly found in women aged between 12 and 45 years. Around 5% to 10% of women from across the world have PCOD. It is a condition that causes an imbalance in a woman's hormone levels. 

Women with PCOD produce abnormal amounts of male hormones, which cause them to skip menstrual periods and make it difficult to conceive. Additionally, PCOD causes excessive hair growth on the face and body, baldness, weight gain, heavy bleeding, and headaches. Moreover, it can contribute to diabetes, obesity, heart disease, and high cholesterol. Birth control pills, diabetes drugs, and ayurvedic medicines can help restore regular menstrual cycles and improve PCOD symptoms.

Causes of PCOD

Healthcare specialists are not certain what exactly causes the condition. They believe that high levels of male hormones stop the ovaries from producing hormones and eggs normally.

Insulin resistance, inflammation, and genes have been linked to the excessive production of androgen.

Insulin Resistance

Around 70% of women with PCOD have insulin resistance, which means that their cells cannot use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas to help the body process sugar from foods into energy.

When the cells cannot use insulin properly, the demand for it increases. The pancreas produces more insulin to balance it. Additional insulin triggers the ovaries to make more male hormones.

Another major cause of insulin resistance is obesity. Both obesity and insulin resistance increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Genes

According to studies, PCOD runs in families. It’s highly likely that several genes are responsible of developing that condition.

Inflammation

Women with PCOS often have high levels of inflammation in their bodies. Obesity can also contribute to the body’s inflammation. A few studies suggest that excess inflammation is associated with higher androgen levels.

Symptoms of PCOD

Some women start noticing the symptoms during the time of their first menstrual cycle. Others get diagnosed after they’ve gained a lot of weight or they’ve had trouble conceiving.

Some of the most common symptoms of PCOD are given below:

• Irregular Periods: The lack of proper ovulation prevents the uterine lining from shedding every month. Some women with the condition get fewer than nine periods a year.
• Acne: Excessive production of male hormones can make the skin oilier than usual and result in breakouts on areas such as the upper back, face, and chest.
• Headaches: Hormonal changes can trigger headaches and migraines in some women.
• Heavy Bleeding: The uterine lining develops for a longer period; hence your menstrual cycle can be heavier than usual.
• Darkening of the Skin: Dark skin patches can be seen on the body on areas such as the neck, in the groin, or under the breasts.
• Hair Growth: Over 70% of women with PCOD grow excess hair on their face and body, including on their back, chest, belly, and legs. This condition is known as hirsutism.
• Male-pattern Baldness: Hair on the scalp can get thinner and fall out.
• Weight Gain: At least 80% of women with PCOD are obese or overweight.

How PCOD Affects the Body

Having excessive levels of androgen can affect your fertility and other factors of your health.

Infertility

In order to get pregnant, a woman has to ovulate. Women, who do not ovulate regularly, do not release as many eggs as needed to be fertilized. PCOD is one of the major factors behind infertility in women.

Metabolic Syndrome

Nearly 80% of women with this condition are obese or overweight. Both the factors increase the risk of developing high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and low HDL (“good”) cholesterol.

These factors are called metabolic syndrome, and they multiply your risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea causes repeated pulses in breathing at night, which, in turn, interrupts your sleeping pattern.

This condition is found more in women who are overweight, and if they have PCOD. The risk for sleep apnea is 10 times higher in overweight women with PCOD than in women without the condition.

Depression

Both hormonal changes and unwanted hair growth on the body can impact you adversely. Many women with PCOD end up experiencing depression and other anxiety disorders.

Endometrial Cancer

The uterine lining sheds during ovulation. If a woman does not ovulate every month, the lining can start adding up. A thickened lining can increase your risk for endometrial cancer.

Diagnosis

PCOD is typically diagnosed in women who have at least two of the symptoms given below:

• Cysts in ovaries
• Irregular menstrual cycles
• High androgen levels

Your doctors may also ask if you’ve experienced acne, weight gain, and face and body hair growth.

A pelvic examination is recommended by doctors to detect problems with your ovaries or other parts of your reproductive tract. In this examination, your doctor inserts gloved fingers into your vagina and look for abnormal growth in your uterus or ovaries.

Blood tests are conducted on women to check for higher-than-usual levels of male hormones. You might also have blood tests to check insulin levels, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels to study your risk of developing other conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. Besides, an ultrasound is performed by the doctors who look for abnormal follicles and other issues with your uterus and ovaries.

Treatments

Birth control pills and other medications can help promote a normal menstrual cycle and treat PCOD symptoms such as acne and hair growth.

Birth Control

The daily intake of estrogen and progestin can restore a normal hormonal balance, promote ovulation, and provide relief from symptoms such as excessive hair growth and lowers the risk of endometrial cancer.

Metformin

This is a drug typically used to treat type 2 diabetes. Moreover, it is also used to treat PCOD by improving insulin levels.

A study found that the intake of Metformin alongside dietary changes and exercise promotes weight loss, lowers blood sugar levels, and restores a normal menstrual cycle.

Clomiphene

This is a fertility drug that can help women with PCOD to conceive. In any case, it increases the chances for twins and other multiple births.

Hair Removal Medications

Some treatments can help remove unwanted hair from your body parts and prevent it from growing. Eflorithine (Vaniqa) cream is a prescription drug that slows down hair growth. Electrolysis and laser hair removal are also some of the other methods to get rid of unwanted hair on your face and body.

Surgery

This is an alternative to improve fertility if other treatments fail to work. Ovarian drilling is a process that makes tiny holes in the ovary with a laser or thin heated needle to restore the normal functionality of the ovaries.

PCOD and Pregnancy

Getting pregnant is not a big issue if PCOD is under control. In any case, poor control of the condition would need proper medications or Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) with infertility specialists’ opinion.

Moreover, it is also important to note that women with PCOD have a limited ovarian capacity so as to produce healthy eggs. Hence, they are advised to go for an early pregnancy if they want to have children. This is because advancing age negatively affects the quality of eggs.

It is recommended to seek the consultation of a gynecologist to discuss the symptoms. The doctor may ask you to undergo a few tests such as the PCOD Panel test to determine the condition and provide the treatment plan accordingly.

Grocare’s Natural Ayurvedic Treatment for Treating PCOD

Grocare India's primary aim remains fulfilling patients' needs through providing ayurvedic solutions. The company specializes in giving research-based, highly effective, and affordable herbal solutions for chronic lifestyle disorders.

Made with the richness of Ayurveda, Abronym® and Grocare Turmeric Supplement® are natural ayurvedic medicines that work together to manage PCOD. The PCOD kit by Grocare works by reducing the secretion of free radicals and restoring healthy microflora in the female reproductive system. Moreover, it has a synergistic effect on the reproductive tract. It helps dissolve cysts in a natural form, and stimulates healthy functioning of the ovaries.

Designed to reduce PCOD symptoms and restore the menstrual cycle, the PCOD kit ensures long lasting results. Abronym® is particularly used for resolving PCOD as it helps dissolve the cysts naturally. It is a natural and highly effective medication.

Grocare India's Turmeric Supplement possesses Natural Curcuminoids (phytonutrients) that are processed so that the body can easily digest. The phytonutrients have good absorption in comparison to the best-selling turmeric extracts. It works to eliminate free radicals in the female reproductive system that prevents the formation of additional cysts, whilst acting as a catalyst in the healing process by synergising the internal systems of the body.

Proper Dosage

Abronym® - 1 tablet twice a day (1 tablet post breakfast and dinner each).

Grocare Turmeric Supplement® - 1 tablespoon after breakfast and dinner.

The tablets should be taken for 5-6 months, which is the doctor's standard duration for this natural PCOD formula. If taken within the prescribed dosage, Abronym® and Grocare Turmeric Supplement® do not cause any known side effects. Patients will start noticing the benefits within 3 to 4 weeks. If patients are under other medications or supplements, they're requested to contact us via phone or email. For the best results, it is necessary to follow the low-protein diet chart and regular exercise as recommended by the doctor.