What is PCOD: Are You at Risk? Find out the Truth Here!

PCOD is a hormonal condition that causes an imbalance of hormones. It is also known as bilateral polycystic ovarian disease and affects around 5% to 10% of women falling within the age bracket of 12 to 45 years of age. This condition is prevalent among women of reproductive age and is more likely to affect them compared to any other endocrine-related disease.  

Even though this condition is widespread, many people are still unaware of it. This article details more about what is PCOD, what symptoms it has, its types and triggers, etc. to help you understand better if you are at risk of developing PCOD.  

Types of PCOD

There are four different types of PCOD that a person can suffer from, all of which have been listed below for reference: 

1. Insulin-resistant PCOD: This is the most common type of PCOD problem that affects around 70% of women who suffer from this disease. Insulin resistance occurs when high insulin levels inhibit ovulation and stimulate the ovaries to generate testosterone. Excess sugar consumption, smoking, exposure to environmental pollutants, and consumption of trans fats are all considered to contribute to insulin resistance.
     
2. Adrenal PCOD: Adrenal PCOD is the rarest form of PCOD; it only affects around 10% of the female population that suffers from this problem. Adrenal PCOD is characterised by elevated levels of adrenal androgens (male sex hormones), including DHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate). Adrenal PCOS is often caused by an inappropriate reaction to stress.
   
   
3. Inflammatory PCOD: While inflammation itself is a natural reaction of the body towards foreign particles, prolonged inflammation can do more harm than good. It can target your ovulation process, which in turn can cause a hormonal imbalance in your body. It can cause testosterone to start developing in your body as well.
   
   
4. Post-Pill PCOD: This is the second-most common form of PCOD problem that occurs in women worldwide. Birth control pills are usually prescribed by doctors to suppress and control ovulation processes in women. Once a woman stops taking these pills, the ovulation process should start again, and her ovaries should be working again.
   

In some women, though, the ovaries do not recover timely, and the delayed ovulation process may remain well into the months and years after you stop taking the pills.

Symptoms of PCOD: What to Look Out For

Several factors put you at greater risk of developing PCOD than others, which have been listed below for your reference: 

• Genetics 
  
• Insulin resistance  
  
• Inflammation 
  
• High levels of androgen 
  
• Obesity 
  

While PCOD is different for everyone and the symptoms present themselves in different ways, there are certain common ones that you should look out for. These common symptoms have been listed below for your reference: 

1. Acne that develops on different parts of the body
   
2. Irregular periods (less than nine periods every year)
   
3. Major weight gain and facing trouble losing weight as well.
   
4. Hair thinning
   
5. Fertility issues
   
6. Depression
   
7. Major hair growth on the face, chest, abdomen, or back
   
8. Darkening of the skin on the neck, armpits, or groin
   
9. Sugar and carb cravings
   
10. Extreme tiredness
    
11. Skin infections such as eczema and psoriasis

Diagnosis and PCOD Problem Treatment

There are several ways in which your healthcare provider may determine if you have PCOD or not. These ways of diagnosis have been listed below for your reference: 

• PCOD symptoms diagnosis: Your healthcare provider will first ask you more about your symptoms and assess them to proceed further in your treatment.  
  
• Pelvic exam: With a pelvic examination, your doctor will examine the reproductive system for lumps, growths, or other abnormalities. 
  
• Blood tests: Blood tests are prescribed to test and measure hormonal levels in the body. Tests like fasting cholesterol, triglyceride levels, and glucose tolerance can be prescribed by your doctor. 
  
• Ultrasounds: An ultrasound can determine the look of your reproductive organs and the degree of thickness of your uterine lining. A wand device called a transducer that is inserted into your genital area. The transducer generates sound waves, which are then converted into visuals on a computer's screen. 
  

There are a few treatment options as well as lifestyle choices that you can opt for to manage and treat PCOD problem better: 

• Laparoscopy
  
• Birth control
  
• Medications such as:
  1. Metformin (used to treat type 2 diabetes)
  2. Clomiphene (a fertility drug used to help women suffering from PCOD get pregnant)
  
• Hair removal medications (Eflornithine (Vaniqa) cream, laser hair removal, and electrolysis)
• Ovarian drilling (small holes are made in the ovaries with lasers or needles to restore the normal ovulation process)
• Physical activity (which can help regulate weight and manage insulin) 

Conclusion

This article provides better insight into the answer to the question of what PCOD is and explains more about this problem. PCOD is an endocrinal problem that affects a lot of women worldwide, and while it is not fully curable, its symptoms are manageable through certain treatments and medications.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What are the risk factors for PCOD?
   
   Answer:- Risk factors for PCOD include family history, obesity, excess androgen production, and insulin resistance.
   
   
2. How is the PCOD problem diagnosed?
   
   Answer:- PCOD is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical examination, blood tests to measure hormone levels, and ultrasound to examine the ovaries
   
   
3. Can PCOD be treated?
   
   Answer:- Yes, PCOD can be managed through lifestyle changes, such as healthy eating and regular exercise, as well as medications to regulate menstrual cycles, reduce androgen levels, and improve insulin sensitivity.
   
   
4. What are some of the complications of the PCOD problem?
   
   Answer:- PCOD can cause several issues in people suffering from it, such as cardiovascular disease, infertility, type 2 diabetes, a high risk of endometrial cancer, heart disease, and breast cancer, to name a few.
   
   
5. Can PCOD be cured?
   
   Answer:- PCOD cannot be cured, but with proper management, the symptoms can be controlled, and the risk of complications can be reduced.