PCOD (Hormonal Issues & Menstrual Irregularities)

What is PCOD ( Polycystic Ovarian Disease)?

Patients suffering from PCOD have from multiple cysts in their ovaries that lead to painful periods and difficulty in getting pregnant due to which PCOD treatment is necessary for women as soon as possible. Also known as PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), PCOD occurs when a woman’s hormones are not balanced.

Patients who suffer from PCOD, are often obese. They may also notice excessive facial and body hair, and excessive acne on the face and back, due to high androgen levels. Along with the absence of ovulation, PCOD causes infertility. The condition affects girls and women in the age group of 15 to 35 years. Hence, proper counselling, consultation and awareness becomes a necessity for women of these age groups.

Dr. Yuvakshi Juneja, not only offers pre-pregnancy counselling but also caters to menopause related problems, pre-marriage counselling in and around Safdarjung Enclave, Lajpat Nagar, Nehru Place, Kalkaji, Moolchand Hospital, Apollo Hospital and South Delhi. 

Often, families and young teenage girls neglect hormonal imbalances or PCOD Bleeding problems where reaching out to the right gynecologist, doctor or a physician is a must.

How is PCOS Diagnosed?

Diagnosis

Typically, your doctor will ask for your medical history, including your menstrual cycles and weight fluctuations. They may also conduct a physical examination to check for excessive hair growth, acne and any resistance to insulin.

Some of the examinations that a doctor might conduct, include:

• Pelvic examination: Visually and manually inspecting your reproductive organs for growths or any abnormalities.
• Ultrasound: This is done to check the appearance of the ovaries and assess the thickness of the lining of the uterus.
• Blood tests: A blood test is usually conducted to check your hormone levels and exclude the causes for other abnormalities. The doctor might also ask for blood tests to measure your glucose tolerance, cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

Other tests like screening for depression and anxiety and obstructive sleep apnea, may also be recommended by the doctor.

PCOD Treatment for Women

PCOD problem treatment varies for everyone based on their symptoms and requirements. In some cases, the treatment for a patient may change over the years due to factors like age and changing hormonal levels.

• Weight Loss: For most patients, weight loss is an effective treatment for PCOD. But in comparison to normal women, this can be tougher to accomplish. You should take help from a dietitian or consult a weight control expert. Avoid going on crash diets as that may affect your case further.
• Ovulation Induction: PCOD patients show insulin resistance and hence the drugs recommended by doctors include metformin and troglitazone. These drug work towards reversing the endocrine abnormality to improve ovulatory response and fertility.
• Surgery: In some cases, doctors recommend a laparoscopy, in which a laser is used to drill multiple holes through the ovarian capsule. But this treatment is only for women who have been diagnosed with large ovaries during ultrasound. By destroying the abnormal tissue, the surgery is able to help restore normal function and induce regular ovulation.