PCOD Problem Treatment: Effective Solutions for Better Health

Have you gained weight recently? It can be a sign of PCOD. Polycystic Ovarian Disorder or PCOD is a medical condition that affects women and people assigned female at birth (AFAB). 

Studies reveal that 20% of women have PCOD in India, but are unaware. The symptoms of PCOD aren’t very differentiable, which makes it difficult to identify the medical condition. 

PCOD is the initial stage, where ovaries produce immature eggs that can form into cysts, it may lead to a complex health condition: PCOS. Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, or PCOS, causes irregular menstrual cycles, weight gain, and fertility issues. 

The estimated prevalence of PCOS is between 3.7% and 22.5%; because of limited data and regional differentiations, it is difficult to determine the exact number. 

PCOD is a medical condition that can’t be cured. However, with proper treatment, you can manage its complications. Today, we will update you about the PCOD problem treatments to scrimmage against it.

What is PCOD? 

PCOD, or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, is a health issue that creates hormonal imbalance among women. PCOD happens when ovaries produce premature eggs, leading to the form of cysts. Studies found that globally one in every five women has PCOD, causing medical issues like irregular menstrual cycles. 

Did you know that 40% of women get hereditary PCOD from their mother or sister? 

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), PCOD is a similar complex trait to obesity and type 2 diabetes. People with a family history are at high risk. They also found that PCOD can cause anovulation, which can cause infertility. 

Biological and psychological changes like obesity, infertility, and body image pose a major risk of PCOD, which can cause societal stigma and mental health challenges. 

Are PCOD and PCOS the Same? 

People often confuse PCOD and PCOS. Both these health conditions are similar yet different. They cause hormonal imbalance and disturb the production of ovaries, which overall impact fertility, menstrual cycle, and other major complications. 

UNICEF briefed about the differences between PCOS and PCOD. Here is a detailed description making you understand between PCOS and PCOD. 

Difference	PCOD	PCOS
Definition	PCOD is a hormonal imbalance that causes the over-production of immature or premature eggs in the ovaries.	PCOS is a medical condition, where ovaries produce overproduction of androgen hormones.
Symptoms	Acne  Obesity  Irregular menstrual periods  Depression  Sleep disorder  Hair loss or thinning	Fatigue  Depression  Anxiety  Headaches  Skin tags  Weight gain  Excessive hair growth
Causes	PCOS and PCOD causes are quite similar; however, insulin resistance, high androgen levels, and genetics contribute to PCOD.	Causes like unhealthy diet, pollution, medications, OTC medications, and inactive lifestyle contribute towards PCOC.
Complications	PCOD doesn’t majorly cause severe health complications.	PCOS can cause type-2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and endometrial cancer.
Prevalence	22.5% of menstruating women have PCOD.	9.13% of menstruating women have PCOS.
Treatment	Medications, lifestyle modifications, hormonal medicines, and home remedies are some effective treatments for PCOD	PCOS treatment involves regulating menstrual cycles.
Impact on Infertility	In PCOD, women can conceive with proper medical treatment.	In PCOS, women can’t ovulate regularly, which makes it complicated for women to conceive.

Also, check out this to read in brief about the difference between PCOS and PCOD https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/womens-reproductive-health/pcod-and-pcos-difference-different-conditions-similar-challenges/ 

Treatment for PCOD

PCOD is a medical condition that can be treated with lifestyle modifications, medications, and home remedies. A doctor may recommend medications after looking at symptoms, medical history, and overall body growth. Here are the treatment options through which you can contribute to a great and healthy lifestyle. 

• Hormonal Treatment

PCOD causes a hormonal imbalance in the body, which can be treated with hormonal treatment. With this treatment and medications, you can regulate your menstrual cycle. A study says that 42.2% of women with PCOD receive hormonal therapy with synthetic progesterone as a treatment to manage PCOD. 

• Skin Treatment 

Oral contraceptive pills are effective skin treatments, which can reduce acne and oily skin by 30-60% within 3-6 months. The pills are a combination of estrogen and progesterone which reduce the testosterone levels in the body. 

• Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (LOD)

LOD is a surgical procedure that doctors use to treat PCOS. It can achieve an ovulation rate of 30-90% and a pregnancy rate of 13-88%, which can prevent pregnancy complications like miscarriage.

• Infertility Treatment

Infertility treatment involves injectable gonadotropins, laparoscopic ovarian surgery, and clomiphene citrate. These treatments help in treating infertility complications because of PCOD. 

Also, read https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/womens-health/pcod-diet-chart-a-guide-to-a-healthier-lifestyle/ 

Home Remedies for PCOD Problem 

Doctors recommend surgeries for PCOD problem treatment. 

1. Regular Exercise- Regular exercise is an effective PCOD problem treatment, which can keep you active and control blood sugar levels. Also, exercise can help in maintaining your weight, which can prevent chances of obesity, type-2 diabetes, and heart diseases. 
2. Healthy Diet- A diet plays an important role in managing PCOD. Eat food rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, healthy fats, and carbohydrates. Avoid eating fatty, sugary, and oily foods, as these foods can lower cholesterol levels and increase blood sugar levels, leading to diabetes and obesity. 
3. Limit Intake of Carbohydrates- Women with PCOD should avoid or limit carbohydrate consumption, which can help maintain insulin levels. Correct insulin levels can prevent the risk of diabetes. Eat a low-carb diet or complex carbohydrates foods like fish, meat, eggs, and green leafy vegetables. 
4. Add anti-inflammatory foods- PCOD can cause chronic inflammatory conditions like liver inflammation. Eat foods such as tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, fatty fish, nuts, and dry fruits to prevent inflammation. These foods are rich in anti-inflammatory properties, which can help manage PCOD symptoms. 
5. Limit Caffeine Beverages- Caffeine increases estrogen levels in the body, which creates a hormonal imbalance. Instead of drinking coffee, add in fluids like water, herbal tea, and juices to maintain your body’s hydration level. 

Along with these treatments and home remedies, some medicines help in managing symptoms of PCOD.

Medications 

1. Birth control pills 
2. Progestin 
3. Letrozole and clomiphene
4. Metformin 
5. Immature follicle aspiration 
6. Laparoscopic ovarian drilling 

Which treatment option is the best for PCOD Problems? 

Polycystic Ovarian Disorder or PCOD problem treatment involves medications and lifestyle modifications. These can help manage PCOD symptoms and improve the quality of life. Each treatment has its way of working. Studies found that women with PCOD have seen a 5% reduction in body weight, which helps in the effective management of PCOD symptoms. So, consult your gynecologist and take treatment accordingly. 

15 Symptoms of PCOD

PCOD affects in late teens or early 20s, where symptoms may range from mild to severe. The NHS says that some women may experience menstrual complications or infertility because of PCOD. 

1. Irregular periods or missed cycle- Women with PCOD may have heavy, irregular, or missed periods. However, this PCOD problem treatment can be cured with proper medications and home remedies. 
2. Acne- The PCOD problem treatment causes hormonal imbalances which can cause severe or persistent acne. 
3. Oily Skin- Oily skin and acne are persistent skin problems that occur because of PCOD. 
4. Hair loss or thinning hair- Hair thinning or hair loss may happen because of certain medications during PCOD treatment. Make sure to consult with your gynecologist to better understand medicines and their side effects. 
5. Weight Gain- Weight gain is the first thing that happens because of PCOD. The menstrual irregularities and hormonal imbalances lead to excessive weight gain. 
6. Loss of appetite- Loss of appetite is less common during PCOD, however a person may experience it. 
7. Extreme Sweat- Night sweating or extreme sweating is considered a sign of diabetes. However, it may also show the chances of PCOD, so, seek medical consultation for better understanding. 
8. Fertility problems because of irregular ovulation- PCOD makes it difficult to get pregnant because of irregular ovulation and the release of premature eggs.
9. Obesity- Experts say the PCOD problem causes unnecessary cravings among people and may lead to obesity or being overweight. 
10. Sleep disorder- People with PCOD often experience sleep disorders like tiredness, fatigue, and lethargy throughout their day. 
11. Depression- PCOD affects mood and mental health, which can make a person depressed. 
12. Excessive hair growth- The androgen hormone levels increase during PCOD, which leads to excessive hair growth around the chest, belly, and upper thighs area. 
13. Heavy or extreme bleeding during periods- Research found that women with PCOD have undergone extreme or heavy bleeding during periods. Anyone shouldn’t ignore this sign. 
14. Anxiety and stress- A woman with PCOD may feel anxious or stressed throughout the day. 
15. Mood Swings- Mood swings are common during PCOD. You may feel happy for a minute and sad for another minute. 

Causes of PCOD 

The National Institute of Health (NIH) found that PCOD can cause several health complications if the symptoms are not managed timely. 

1. Diabetes- Studies show that people with PCOD are at risk of type 2 diabetes and impaired glucose tolerance. 7.5% of women of reproductive age with PCOS had diabetes. 
2. Complications in Pregnancy- Research found that women with PCOS are at risk of pregnancy complications. 40% and 5% of women with PCOS can develop gestational diabetes and preeclampsia, respectively. 
3. Acne- Acne is common in women with PCOD, also a study says that 70% of women can have acne. 
4. Metabolic Syndrome- Women with diabetes may catch metabolic syndrome like heart disease, blood vessel problems, high blood sugar, and unhealthy cholesterol levels. 
5. Liver Inflammation- In PCOD, liver fluid builds up around the liver, which causes nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, which is a severe form of liver inflammation. 

The Final Word 

PCOD issues are increasing by 22.5% based on regional demographics, whereas in India, Kashmir accounts for 29% to 35%. With proper PCOD problem treatment, one can manage its symptoms and plan accordingly. The above-listed treatments can help in better management. Also, timely monitoring can help prevent its severe risk. Our PCOS Panel test price is INR 1099, inclusive of 49 parameters, which look at hormonal imbalance and help diagnose PCOD & PCOS.