Polycystic Ovary Disease, also known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOD or PCOS), is a complex hormonal condition common in women of reproductive age. This condition is believed to be affecting almost 20% of women belonging to child-bearing age.
Since PCOD is a hormonal disorder in which the ovaries do not function the way they are supposed to produce follicles and eggs, women suffering from it often find it difficult to get pregnant. However, proper lifestyle modifications, weight reduction, and medical treatment with medications or hormones can solve this issue, and they can have the same number of children as women without PCOD.
Common Symptoms In Women Who Have PCOD
- irregular periods
- hair loss
- weight gain
- growth of facial hair
- less than 8 periods in a year
- trouble in conceiving
- acne issues
Complications Women Who Have PCOD Face
Other than hampering the child-bearing abilities of women, PCOD can lead to other health-related issues like:
- high cholesterol
- diabetes
- sleep apnea
Diagnosing PCOD
If you feel you have the above symptoms and complications, you should visit a doctor, and they would prescribe certain tests to rule out the problem. The common PCOD tests include:
- A pregnancy test in case periods have been irregular
- blood tests to measure hormone count, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels
- Pelvic ultrasound, to track the production of follicles by the ovaries
Myths Regarding PCOD
A lack of awareness about PCOD has led to the generation of many misconceptions related to the condition. Some of the common myths and misconceptions associated with PCOD are:
1. Irregular periods mean PCOD-
A woman may have irregular periods for various reasons, other than PCOD, like uterus fibroid, having a fad diet, breastfeeding, or even pelvic inflammatory conditions. Hence, assuming having PCOD based on one’s menstrual cycle is the biggest myth that people have.
2. Only overweight women can get PCOD-
Most women with PCOD cases have been observed to be heavy, but this does not mean that lean or thin women cannot have this disorder. Even women with normal weight and hormonal issues, like excess androgen or insulin resistance, can suffer from this health issue.
3. People suffering from PCOD are always on birth control pills-
This is again a very common misconception that women suffering from PCOD have to endure. Birth control pills are not a permanent solution to the problem. Medications can only reduce the symptoms but not find an answer to the issue. Hence, it is of utmost importance to focus on finding the solution to the complication, to finally get rid of it, rather than just subsiding or camouflaging it.
4. Women suffering from PCOD cannot conceive-
Women suffering from PCOD may face complications while conceiving due to ovulation, hormonal, or egg quality issues, but this does not mean that they cannot get pregnant ever. Having the right diet, sleeping on time, exercising regularly, drinking enough water, and managing stress levels can ease off the problem to a great extent. Taking care of these factors can increase the chances of conceiving greatly.
5. Losing weight can help get rid of PCOD-
Just losing weight would not rectify the problem of PCOD. Various lifestyle changes need to be incorporated to fix the problem, as PCOD is caused due to multiple reasons and not just weight gain.
How Can PCOD Be Addressed
One of the most common procedures for responding to PCOD is to be on birth control pills. The pills help improve many of the symptoms but cannot solve the problem from its roots.
Other treatments that can cure PCOD symptoms are:
- Metformin- Rectifies blood sugar levels in diabetic women and has been seen to regulate periods in some
- Anti-androgens- These medications block hormones that cause PCOD
- Progestin- If taken every month, this medicine can regulate menstruation and even lower the risk of cancer
- Using medicated lotion for acne
- Regular exercise to control weight issues
- Getting laser therapy done to remove hair
Final Take
The exact cause of PCOD is still unknown. There are various contributing factors, both lifestyle and hormonal, that may trigger its occurrence. However, there is no thumb rule to understand its root cause. According to some studies, it has also been found that PCOD could be inherited from the mother or a sibling too.
With the advancement in science and technology, nothing is impossible. Likewise, motherhood can be experienced and nurtured by women having PCOD issues. All they need to do is adapt to a healthier lifestyle, take proper medications, indulge in regular meditation and exercises, and have a positive approach at all times.
Remember, no problem is ever so big that it cannot be handled. The need of the hour is to deal with it in the most optimum manner so that its negatives get nullified, and the results surfaced over time.
