PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) ----------- Growing Menace in Modern World

There is no denying the fact that women in India have made a considerable progress during recent years, but still they have to struggle against many handicaps and social evils in this male dominated world. But what is in our hands we should give priority to that like our health the most important thing. It is reported that the average female life expectancy today in India is low as compared to many developed countries. In many families, especially rural ones, girls and women face nutritional discrimination within the family in fact they are not able to get balanced diet and this result in involvement of many diseases. Now a day’s one of the most common problem women are facing is infertility and PCOD is directly related to this. I try to give gist of this disease so that every woman gets aware and take necessary actions against this disease particularly small girls.

PCOD (polycystic ovarian disease) is one of the commonest causes of infertility. In this disease patients have multiple small cysts in their ovaries. PCOD was first described by Stein and Leventhal in 1935 and the condition is therefore also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome. PCOD is associated with irregular menstrual cycle, abnormal hair growth or loss, abnormal obesity, hormonal imbalance, dark skin patches on the neck and arms, and insulin resistance.

The actual cause of PCOD is still not fully understood but there are some evidences that it is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Possible factors includeobesity, not enough physical exercise, and a family history of someone with the condition. Now a day’s PCOD becomes most commonendocrine disorderamong women between the ages of 18 and 44.It affects approximately 2% to 20% of this age group and is one of the leading causes of poor fertility. In PCOD hormones play important and major role. Hormones are chemical messengers that trigger many different processes, including growth and energy production. Often, the job of one hormone is to signal the release of another hormone. For reasons that are not well understood, in PCOD the hormones get out of balance. One hormone change triggers another, which changes another. For example, thesexhormones get out of balance. Normally, theovariesmake a tiny amount of malesexhormones (androgens). In PCOS, they start making slightly more androgens. This may cause to stopovulating, getacne, and grow extra facial and bodyhair. The body may have a problem usinginsulin, calledinsulin resistance. When the body doesn't useinsulinwell,blood sugar levelsgo up. Over time, this increases your chance of gettingdiabetes which in turn enhances risk of PCOD.

Symptoms

• Menstrual disorders: oligomenorrhea(fewer than nine menstrual periods in a year) oramenorrhea(no menstrual periods for three or more consecutive months), Hypermenorrhea(heavy and prolonged menstrual periods) may also occur.


• High levels of masculinizing hormones: Hyperandrogenism, the most common signs areacneandhirsutism(male pattern of hair growth, such as on the chin or chest),androgenic alopecia(increased hair thinning on the scalp or diffuse hair loss).


• Infertility:This generally results directly from chronicanovulation(lack of ovulation).


• Obesity

Other symptoms include Depression, Obstructive sleep apnea, mood disorders, pelvic pain and patches of thick, darker, velvety skin.

There has been a recentconsensus on the diagnosis of polycystic ovary disease

PCOD is defined as the presence of anytwo of the followingthree criteria:

1. Polycystic ovaries (either 12 or more follicles measuring 2-9 mm in diameter, or increased ovarian volume (> 10 cm3) on ultrasound.


2. Oligomenorrheoa / anovulation(reduced periods / failure to release eggs).


3. Clinical or biochemical evidence of hyperandrogenism (excessive male hormone).

Safety measures

As discussed above PCOD is associated with overweight or obesity, successful weight loss is the most effective method of restoring normal ovulation/menstruation, but many women find it very difficult to achieve and sustain significant weight loss.Low GI diet, in which a significant part of total carbohydrates are obtained from fruit, vegetables, and whole-grain sources, has resulted in greater menstrual regularity than amacronutrient-matched healthy diet. Proper consultation and medication and regular exercise can also help. Life is beautiful and we should not bog ourselves down with unnecessary health problems so choose healthy life style.