Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), also known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), is a common condition affecting women of reproductive age. It impacts about 5% to 10% of women between the ages of 12 and 45. PCOD causes a hormonal imbalance, leading to irregular menstrual periods and making it difficult for women to conceive. Key symptoms include lack of ovulation, irregular periods, acne, and excessive hair growth. If left untreated, PCOD can lead to more serious health issues such as insulin-resistant diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
PCOS is an endocrine disorder, while PCOD is caused by hormonal imbalances.
In PCOS, the ovaries produce higher-than-normal levels of androgens (male hormones), which disrupts egg development and release. Some eggs turn into cysts, which grow and enlarge the ovaries.
In PCOD, hormonal imbalance leads to the accumulation of mature eggs in the ovaries, which turn into cysts. These cysts can multiply, leading to more cysts and perpetuating the cycle.
Both conditions involve irregular periods and hormonal imbalances that cause infertility. However, PCOS is generally considered more severe than PCOD.
Normally, the ovaries produce female sex hormones (estrogen) and small amounts of male hormones (androgens) to regulate the development of eggs during the menstrual cycle.
In PCOS, the ovaries produce more androgens than usual, leading to a halt in ovulation, acne, and extra hair growth on the face and body.
In PCOS, the eggs in the follicles do not mature properly and are not released from the ovaries, forming small cysts known as polycystic ovaries.
PCOS often runs in families, so if other women in the family have had PCOS, irregular periods, or diabetes, the likelihood of developing PCOS increases.
• Acne
• Weight gain and difficulty losing weight
• Excess facial and body hair (hirsutism)
• Hair thinning or hair loss
• Irregular periods (less than nine periods a year, no periods, or heavy bleeding)
• Difficulty getting pregnant (infertility)
• Increased risk of endometrial cancer
• Infertility (early treatment can improve chances of pregnancy)
• Obesity-related issues, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes
• Potential risk of breast cancer
Medications to Regulate Menstrual Cycle
Combined Birth Control Pills:
These pills contain two hormones, estrogen and progestin, which work together to reduce the production of androgens (male hormones) in your body. By balancing these hormones, birth control pills can help regulate your menstrual cycle, reduce excessive hair growth (hirsutism), control acne, and lower the risk of developing endometrial cancer. If you prefer not to take pills, other options include a skin patch or a vaginal ring that also provides a continuous dose of these hormones.
Progestin Therapy:
This treatment option involves taking progestin, a hormone that can help regulate your menstrual cycle if you don’t wish to conceive. Progestin therapy reduces the likelihood of conception and giving birth. A progestin shot is effective for three months, so you would need four shots each year. Alternatively, you can opt for a progestin-only mini pill or a progestin-containing intrauterine device (IUD), which is a better choice if you want to avoid pregnancy.
Letrozole (Femara):
Letrozole is commonly used to treat breast cancer, but it can also be used to stimulate your ovaries to help with ovulation, which is essential if you’re trying to get pregnant.
Metformin:
Metformin is a medication typically used to manage diabetes by controlling blood sugar levels. However, in women with PCOD, it can also help with weight loss and may assist in restoring normal ovulation if you have prediabetes.
Gonadotropins:
These are hormone medications that stimulate your ovaries to produce estrogen and progesterone, which are crucial for ovulation and maintaining a healthy menstrual cycle.
Medications to Reduce Excessive Hair Growth
Birth Control Pills:
By reducing androgen production, these pills can also help manage hirsutism, which is the excessive growth of hair on the face and body.
Spironolactone (Aldactone):
Spironolactone is a medication that blocks the effects of androgens on your skin, which can help reduce unwanted hair growth. However, it’s important to note that Spironolactone can cause birth defects, so it should not be taken if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Eflornithine (Vaniqa):
This topical cream can slow down the growth of facial hair in women, providing another option for managing hirsutism.
Electrolysis:
In this procedure, a tiny needle is inserted into each hair follicle, where it emits a small electric current to destroy the follicle, preventing future hair growth. Multiple treatments may be necessary to achieve the desired results.
Weight-Loss Medications:
Medications like Xenical (orlistat) can help with weight management by reducing the amount of dietary fat absorbed by your intestines, which can be beneficial if you’re struggling with obesity related to PCOD.
Cholesterol-Reducing Medications (Statins):
Statins are used to lower cholesterol levels in your blood by blocking the substance your body needs to make cholesterol. This can help reduce the risk of heart disease, which is a concern for women with PCOD.
Acne Treatments:
Various medications and treatments are available to help manage acne, a common symptom of PCOD caused by hormonal imbalances.
Wedge Resection:
In some cases, surgery may be recommended to treat PCOD. Wedge resection is a surgical procedure in which a portion of the ovary is removed. This can help restore normal ovulation, increasing the chances of pregnancy for women with PCOD.
Ovarian Drilling:
This is another surgical option where small holes are made in the membrane surrounding the ovary using a laser or surgical needle. The goal of ovarian drilling is to restore a regular ovulation cycle, which can improve fertility.
False Positives on Pregnancy Tests
It’s possible to get a false positive on a pregnancy test, but PCOD itself doesn’t directly cause this. Pregnancy tests work by detecting the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in your urine, which is produced during pregnancy. If you’re undergoing fertility treatments that involve taking medications containing HCG, this can lead to a false positive result on a pregnancy test. Other factors that can cause a false positive include using an expired pregnancy test kit or not following the test instructions properly.
False Negatives on Pregnancy Tests
If you have PCOD, your hormone levels can be uneven, which might lead to a false negative result on a pregnancy test. This means the test might show that you’re not pregnant when you actually are. Some women with PCOD may not realize they are pregnant until several weeks after conception.
Pregnancy Success Rate with PCOD
Women with PCOD can face challenges when trying to conceive. However, with treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF), the chances of getting pregnant range from 20% to 40%. Factors such as age (especially women over 35) and being overweight can lower the likelihood of pregnancy.
Ultrasound: An ultrasound is used to view the uterus, ovaries, and pelvis. It can detect cysts and enlarged ovaries, and assess the thickness of the womb lining, which may increase due to irregular periods, raising the risk of womb cancer.
1. Exercise: Regular exercise can help with weight loss and improve menstrual cycles. Losing 5-10% of body weight can reduce PCOS symptoms and lower the risk of diabetes and heart disease. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise three days a week.
2. Healthy Diet: Focus on whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and plant-based proteins. Limit sugar, processed foods, and trans fats. Nutritional supplements may also be beneficial, depending on your health.
3. Physical Activity:Opt for stairs over elevators and incorporate more movement into your daily routine to combat a sedentary lifestyle.
4. Proper Sleep: Aim for eight hours of sleep each night, as lack of sleep can worsen PCOS symptoms. Manage stress through engaging in enjoyable activities.
5. Herbal Teas: Drinking green tea or spearmint tea twice a day may help alleviate PCOS symptoms. Avoid alcohol, as it can increase insulin levels and disrupt hormone balance.
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