What is PCOD?
PCOD or PolyCystic Ovarian Disease is a hormonal condition which can lead to problems like masculine changes in the body, irregular periods and infertility. Women with PCOD have multiple cysts (polycystic) in their ovary. Cysts are structures filled with a fluid or pus and are hell painful.
What are the signs and symptoms?
PCOD or PolyCystic Ovarian Disease is a hormonal condition which can lead to problems like masculine changes in the body, irregular periods and infertility. Women with PCOD have multiple cysts (polycystic) in their ovary. Cysts are structures filled with a fluid or pus and are hell painful.
What are the signs and symptoms?
Irregular menses (usually delayed)
Weight gain and difficulty in losing weight
Acne, oily skin, dandruff
Excessive hair growth on the face, chest, back
Thinning of hair
Infertility
Miscarriage
High blood pressure
Diabetes
High cholesterol
What are the causes?
PCOD is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The cause is still unknown. Risk factors include obesity, faulty lifestyle, no physical activity and a family history of someone with the condition.
How to diagnose PCOD?
Women with PCOD usually have an irregular and painful period which can be very heavy. There sometimes might be the need to induce them by taking hormonal medicines. Patients are usually overweight and have facial hair. Although not all patients may have these symptoms.
In order to confirm the presence of this condition, a Pelvic Ultrasound may be done. Enlarged ovaries with cysts on it are the sign of this condition.
Blood tests can be also done.
1. LH and FSH- There are two major hormones present in a woman's body which control the reproductive functions. These are Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Their levels in our body change as per the stage of the menstrual cycle or pregnancy or lactation. Women with PCOD have more LH than FSH, that is, the ratio of LH to FSH is high (2.1 or 3.1 as tested on the 3rd day of menstrual cycle). However, it is not a sure test to diagnose it.
2. Levels of androgens: 'Andro' for Greek is a male human being, and hence these are a group of hormones which stimulate or control male characteristics. The most common androgen is testosterone which is a male sex hormone. Elevated levels of androgens can point to PCOD. This explains why PCOD patients have excessive facial hair.
3. Oral Glucose tolerance test (OGTT): PCOD leads to insulin resistance, meaning the body cells cannot utilize insulin and hence blood sugar levels go up. Insulin acts as an antagonist to glucose and regulates its amount in the body.
4. Cholesterol and Lipid profile: Women with PCOD usually have cholesterol and lipid profiles elevated.
What is the treatment?
Sadly, PCOD has no cure, but it can be managed with diet and regular physical activity.
1. Losing weight: Weight loss for PCOD patients takes time and it is even difficult to maintain the lost weight. I would recommend adding at least 30 minutes of physical activity, like brisk walking, stretching, running\ jogging, yoga etc. Start slow and gradually built it up. No need to do strenuous exercise as it can do more harm than good. Patients need to carefully watch their weight by maintaining a food diary.
2. Dietary treatment: PCOD dietary treatment is similar to Type 2 diabetic diet treatment as the insulin resistance leads to high sugar levels in the blood. You can make the following changes in your diet:
* Carbs- Go for whole grains and cereals like quinoa, whole wheat, buckwheat, ragi, barley, oats. Avoid refined foods like maida (refined flour), sooji (semolina), sago, arrowroot. Whole grains have fiber which is essential to lose weight and keep digestion good.
* Protein- Choose high biological value proteins like chicken, fish, eggs etc. If you are a vegetarian you can go for low-fat milk and milk products, soybean (limited quantities as its high in fat), sprouts, pulses etc.
*Fat- Fat shouldn't be more than 4 teaspoons a day for one person. So suppose you take 3 main meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner), 3 teaspoons for that and one extra for any snack, for example, using butter in your bread. Avoid high-fat sources. You can choose olive oil, canola oil, refined oil etc. You can also rotate your oils monthly, example, one-month olive oil and the next month refined oil.
*Sugar- Avoid sugar as much as you can. Try increasing it to no more than 2 teaspoons in a day. This includes all types of sugar- jaggery, sweets, chocolates, table sugar, brown sugar etc.
*Water- Drink a good amount of water. Water needs depend on your lifestyle, age, physical activity etc. At least 2.5- 3 liters of water should be taken. Start slow and gradually build it up. If you find it hard to remember to drink water, you can install apps that can reminder you to do it or just set an alarm.
*Salt- Excess salt leads to water retention. Avoid salt and take no more than 5g a day of it.
*Alcohol- If you like to drink, let me remind you one ml of alcohol is about 7 Kcal. So if we assume a Vodka shot is 42 ml total calories coming from it is 294 Kcal. So, I'd say think before you drink.
Other treatment options are surgery and medications. But no treatment can cure it. I'd advise maintaining a good diet with proper physical exercise. Take medicines after consulting with your doctors.
Weight gain and difficulty in losing weight
Acne, oily skin, dandruff
Excessive hair growth on the face, chest, back
Thinning of hair
Infertility
Miscarriage
High blood pressure
Diabetes
High cholesterol
What are the causes?
PCOD is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The cause is still unknown. Risk factors include obesity, faulty lifestyle, no physical activity and a family history of someone with the condition.
How to diagnose PCOD?
Women with PCOD usually have an irregular and painful period which can be very heavy. There sometimes might be the need to induce them by taking hormonal medicines. Patients are usually overweight and have facial hair. Although not all patients may have these symptoms.
In order to confirm the presence of this condition, a Pelvic Ultrasound may be done. Enlarged ovaries with cysts on it are the sign of this condition.
Blood tests can be also done.
1. LH and FSH- There are two major hormones present in a woman's body which control the reproductive functions. These are Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH). Their levels in our body change as per the stage of the menstrual cycle or pregnancy or lactation. Women with PCOD have more LH than FSH, that is, the ratio of LH to FSH is high (2.1 or 3.1 as tested on the 3rd day of menstrual cycle). However, it is not a sure test to diagnose it.
2. Levels of androgens: 'Andro' for Greek is a male human being, and hence these are a group of hormones which stimulate or control male characteristics. The most common androgen is testosterone which is a male sex hormone. Elevated levels of androgens can point to PCOD. This explains why PCOD patients have excessive facial hair.
3. Oral Glucose tolerance test (OGTT): PCOD leads to insulin resistance, meaning the body cells cannot utilize insulin and hence blood sugar levels go up. Insulin acts as an antagonist to glucose and regulates its amount in the body.
4. Cholesterol and Lipid profile: Women with PCOD usually have cholesterol and lipid profiles elevated.
What is the treatment?
Sadly, PCOD has no cure, but it can be managed with diet and regular physical activity.
1. Losing weight: Weight loss for PCOD patients takes time and it is even difficult to maintain the lost weight. I would recommend adding at least 30 minutes of physical activity, like brisk walking, stretching, running\ jogging, yoga etc. Start slow and gradually built it up. No need to do strenuous exercise as it can do more harm than good. Patients need to carefully watch their weight by maintaining a food diary.
2. Dietary treatment: PCOD dietary treatment is similar to Type 2 diabetic diet treatment as the insulin resistance leads to high sugar levels in the blood. You can make the following changes in your diet:
* Carbs- Go for whole grains and cereals like quinoa, whole wheat, buckwheat, ragi, barley, oats. Avoid refined foods like maida (refined flour), sooji (semolina), sago, arrowroot. Whole grains have fiber which is essential to lose weight and keep digestion good.
* Protein- Choose high biological value proteins like chicken, fish, eggs etc. If you are a vegetarian you can go for low-fat milk and milk products, soybean (limited quantities as its high in fat), sprouts, pulses etc.
*Fat- Fat shouldn't be more than 4 teaspoons a day for one person. So suppose you take 3 main meals (Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner), 3 teaspoons for that and one extra for any snack, for example, using butter in your bread. Avoid high-fat sources. You can choose olive oil, canola oil, refined oil etc. You can also rotate your oils monthly, example, one-month olive oil and the next month refined oil.
*Sugar- Avoid sugar as much as you can. Try increasing it to no more than 2 teaspoons in a day. This includes all types of sugar- jaggery, sweets, chocolates, table sugar, brown sugar etc.
*Water- Drink a good amount of water. Water needs depend on your lifestyle, age, physical activity etc. At least 2.5- 3 liters of water should be taken. Start slow and gradually build it up. If you find it hard to remember to drink water, you can install apps that can reminder you to do it or just set an alarm.
*Salt- Excess salt leads to water retention. Avoid salt and take no more than 5g a day of it.
*Alcohol- If you like to drink, let me remind you one ml of alcohol is about 7 Kcal. So if we assume a Vodka shot is 42 ml total calories coming from it is 294 Kcal. So, I'd say think before you drink.
Other treatment options are surgery and medications. But no treatment can cure it. I'd advise maintaining a good diet with proper physical exercise. Take medicines after consulting with your doctors.
PCOD is a serious condition and its management requires a lifetime commitment. Feel free to leave any questions as comments and I'll be happy to help. Till then, take care guys.
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