PCOD (Polycytic ovarian disease)
PCOD (Polycytic ovarian disease) is a medical condition in which the woman ovaries produce immature or partially mature eggs in large numbers and over the time these become cysts in ovaries. Due to this ovaries become large and secrete large amount of male hormones (androgens) causing infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, hair loss and abnormal weight gain. PCOD can be controlled by diet and lifestyle modifications.
PCOD is a common disorder, 10% of world women population affected by it.
PCOS is a serious medical condition around 0.2% to 2.5% of world women population affected by it.
Emotional And Behavioral Signs And Symptoms
- PCOD is a condition in which ovaries produce many immature or partially mature eggs, this happen due to poor lifestyle, obesity, stress and hormonal imbalance. PCOS is a metabolic disorder and more severe form of PCOD can lead to anovulation where ovaries stop releasing eggs.
- PCOD doesn’t affect fertility in women, in this condition woman still can ovulate and become pregnant with little help, following medication can complete pregnancy. PCOS seriously affects fertility in women. Due to PCOS woman cannot ovulate regularly, making them hard to get pregnant. If become pregnant, there is a risk of miscarriage, premature birth or complications in their pregnancy. PCOD doesn’t have any serious complications.
- PCOS have serious complications such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high-blood pressure and endometrial cancer in later stage.
Treatment
PCOD / PCOS mainly affects the body’s hormone balance in female. Following steps will help in females to decrease androgen level in the body:
- Maintaining healthy body weight: BMI (body mass index) ranges from 18.5 - 24.9 considered as ideal and healthy for females, above than 30 considered as obese and not healthy. Maintaining healthy body weight or weight loss help in improving overall body cholesterol levels, reduce the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, maintaining ideal insulin levels and androgen levels that also restore ovulation phase in the menstrual cycle. Consult a dietitian for weight-loss pragramme to reach within a healthy BMI.
- Limiting carbohydrate's consumption: If you have PCOD or PCOS follow a low-carb diet or complex carbohydrates diet that help in maintaining insulin levels. Eat fish, meat, eggs, vegetables that grow above ground and natural fats (like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and butter) and avoid sugar and starchy foods (like potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, and beans).
- Do regular exercise and be active: If you have PCOD or PCOS doing regular exercise and becoming active will help in regulating blood sugar levels and keep your weight under control.