POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN DISEASE(PCOD)

Problem in Women's :

It is also called polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition that affects a women's hormone levels.

Women with PCOS produce higher than normal amount of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes them to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to to get pregnant.

PCOS also causes hair growth on the face and body , and baldness , and it can also cause long term health problems like diabetes and heart disease.

WHAT EXACTLY IS PCOS ?

It is a very common condition affecting 5% to 10% of women in the age group 12 - 45 years.

It is a problem in which a woman's hormones are out of balance , it can cause problems with menstrual periods and make it difficult for her to conceive.

The principle feature include no ovulation , irregular periods , acne and hirsutism.

PCOS affects woman's ovaries , the reproductive organs that produce estrogen and progesterone , hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. The ovaries also produce a small amount of male hormones called androgens.

The three main features of PCOS are:

• Cysts in the ovaries
• High level of male hormones
• Irregular or skipped periods

In PCOS many small fluid filled sac grow inside the ovaries , the word "polycystic" means "many cysts".

These sacs are actually follicles , each one containing an immature egg . The eggs never mature enough to trigger ovulation.

The lack of ovulation alters levels of estrogen , progesterone , FSH , and LH.

Estrogen and progesterone levels are lower than usual , while androgen levels are higher than usual.

Extra male hormones disrupt the menstrual cycle so women with PCOS get fewer periods than usual.

WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF PCOS ?

The exact cause is not known but it believes that high levels of male hormones prevent the ovaries from producing hormones and making eggs normally.

Studies shows that PCOS runs in families.

Upto 70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance , meaning that their cells can't use insulin properly.

Insulin is a hormone that pancreas produces to help the body use sugar from foods for energy. When cells can't use insulin properly , the body's demand for insulin increases. The pancreas makes more insulin to compensate . Extra insulin triggers the ovaries to produce more male hormones.

Women with PCOS often have increased levels of inflammation in their body . being overweight can also contribute to inflammation.

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF PCOS:

Some women start seeing symptoms around the time of their first period , others only discover after they have gained a lot of weight or they had trouble in getting pregnant.

The most common symptoms are :

• IRREGULAR PERIODS : A lack of ovulation prevents the uterine lining from shedding every month. Some women with PCOS get fewer than eight periods a year.
• HEAVY BLEEDING : The uterine lining binds up for a longer period of time , so the periods you do get can be heavier than normal.
• HAIR GROWTH : More than 70 % of women with this condition grow hair on their face and body , including on their back , belly and chest. Excess hair growth is called hirsutism.
• ACNE : Male hormones can make the skin oiler than usual and cause breakouts on areas like the face , chest and upper back.
• WEIGHT GAIN : Upto 80% of women with PCOS are overweight and obese.
• MALE PATTERN BALDNESS : Hair on the scalp gets thinner and fall out.
• DARKENING OF THE SKIN : Dark patches of skin can form in body creases like those on neck , in the groin and under the breasts.
• HEADACHES : Hormone changes can trigger headaches in some women.

HOW PCOS AFFECTS THE BODY:

INFERTILITY:

To get pregnant , you have to ovulate , women who don't ovulate regularly don't release as many eggs to be fertilized.

PCOS is one of the leading causes of infertility in women.

METABOLIC SYNDROME :

Up to 80 % of women with PCOS are overweight or obese . Both obesity and PCOS increase your risk for high blood sugar , high blood pressure, low HDL cholesterol and high LDL cholesterol.

Together these factors are called metabolic syndrome, and they increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.

SLEEP APNEA :

This condition causes repeated pauses in breathing during the night , which interrupt sleep.

Sleep apnea is more common in women who are overweight , especially if they also have PCOS.

The risk of sleep apnea is 5 to 10 times higher in obese women with PCOS than in those without PCOS.

ENDOMETRIAL CANCER:

During ovulation, the uterine lining sheds. If you don't ovulate every month , the lining can build up , a thickened uterine lining can increase your risk for endometrial cancer.

DEPRESSION:

Both hormonal changes and symptoms like unwanted hair growth can negatively affect your emotions, many with PCOS end up experiencing depression and anxiety.

HOW PCOS IS DIAGNOSED :

Symptoms like high androgen levels , irregular menstrual cycles, cysts in ovaries can describe that you have PCOS.

A pelvic examination can look for any problems with your ovaries or other parts of your reproductive tract.

Blood tests check for higher than normal levels of male hormones , the blood test  may also check your cholesterol, insulin and triglyceride levels to evaluate your risk for related conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

An ultrasound uses sound waves to look for abnormal follicles and other problems with your ovaries and uterus.

DIET AND LIFESTYLE TO TREAT PCOS :

Treatment usually starts with lifestyle changes like weight loss, diet and exercise.

Loosing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can help regulate your menstrual cycle and improve PCOS symptoms. 

Weight loss can also improves cholesterol levels , lower insulin and reduce heart diseases and diabetes risks.

Low carbohydrate diets are effective for both weight loss and lowering insulin levels.

A low glycemic index diet that gets most carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps regulate the menstrual cycle better than a regular weight loss diet.

30 minutes of moderate intensity exercise at least three days a week can help women with PCOS to loose weight. Loosing weight with exercise also improves ovulation and insulin levels.

Exercise is even more beneficial when combined with a helathy diet.