PCOS/PCOD and its causes, symptoms, evaluation, and treatment

Dr. Anshu from Amar Hospital, Mohali, has explained PCOS/PCOD and its symptoms, causes, evaluation process, and treatment.

What is PCOS/PCOD and its symptoms? 

PCOD/ PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Disease or Syndrome. It is a prevalent problem that women of any age group can experience. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that affects a woman’s hormone levels. Its Symptoms are late periods or irregular periods, weight gain, hair growth on the body, facial hair growth, acne, and pimples. 

What causes this cystic disorder? 

According to Dr. Anshu, the two most important causes of PCOS is Genetics or a sedentary lifestyle. 

Genetic

 If your mom or sister or any blood-related female in your family has PCOS, then the chances of you having PCOS also increases. 

Sedentary lifestyle

Children don’t play outside. The outdoor activity is lessened due to the overuse of technology. Dr. Anshu says the loss of physical activity is why many women are suffering from PCOS. 

What can be done to prevent PCOS/PCOD? 

Like it is said, prevention is better than cure. Dr. Anshu says that preventions are necessary so that this type of situation does not arise in the first place. She suggests starting doing some kind of physical activity regularly, like exercising or play outdoor games. On eating habits, she recommends avoiding eating outside very often, as junk food contains fat and oil. It might be pleasing to your kid’s tongue but is not suitable for their health. 

Evaluation and treatment

Dr. Anshu says that ultrasound is to be done for PCOD as in the ultrasound, the multicystic picture could be seen in the ovaries, i.e., multiple eggs are formed instead of one. As the name PCOS suggests, numerous small cysts are formed instead of one dominant egg, and neither are the eggs released (does not ovulate). This also leads to infertility because one dominant or a good quality egg is not formed or released. 

According to her, the treatment of PCOD depends on the problem of concern as it is basically due to hormonal imbalance. If the patient is a young girl and her concern is her constant weight gain and irregular periods. The treatment would be to modify the patient’s lifestyle to lose weight, try diet plans and stop eating junk food. Whereas for the irregular periods, the doctor would prescribe a months’ medication. If the patient follows the recommended treatment PCOS problem would gradually decrease. 

On infertility, Dr. Anshu says that as a quality or dominant egg is not formed or due to no ovulation, a couple can’t conceive. In such cases, the doctor would prescribe fertility medicines and make it possible for the couple to conceive. 

Why is it so necessary to get PCOD/PCOS treated?

Dr. Anshu stresses the fact that PCOD should be treated as soon as possible because missed or delayed periods for a long time can lay the foundation for genetic or reproductive cancer. According to her, it becomes a high-risk factor for endometrial cancer in the long run. So it is essential to spread awareness about it as well. Lastly, Dr. Anshu suggests meeting a gynecologist regarding this problem and start taking care of oneself.