PCOD- Symptoms
PCOD or PCOS is a condition that affects women’s ovaries, the reproductive organs that produce progesterone and estrogen hormones that help in regulating the menstrual cycle and also produce small amount of hormones inhibin, relaxin, and male hormones called androgens.
Almost 10% of women in the world are suffering from PCOD. In comparison to normal women, women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes them to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant.
What is PCOD Problem?
PCOD (Polycystic 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.
What are the common signs and symptoms of PCOD?
Some females start seeing symptoms around the time of their first period. Some women only discover when they have gained a lot of weight or have trouble getting pregnant.
• Irregular periods- Infrequent, irregular or prolonged menstrual cycles are the most common sign of PCOS. For example, you might have fewer than nine periods a year, more than 35 days between periods and abnormally heavy periods.
• Excess androgen- Elevated levels of male hormones may result in physical signs, such as excess facial and body hair (hirsutism), and occasionally severe acne and male-pattern baldness.
• Polycystic ovaries- Your ovaries might be enlarged and contain follicles that surround the eggs. As a result, the ovaries might fail to function regularly.
What to expect from a doctor when going for appointment?
You should consult 1st with gynaecologist (expert in female reproductive system) along with endocrinologist for hormonal imbalance or infertility specialist if planning pregnancy. Providing detailed information will help in getting the best treatment for PCOS or PCOD.