PCOD: THE TIME BOMB OF THIS CENTURY FOR WOMEN.
What is PCOS/PCOD: it’s the cysts in the ovaries combined
with hormonal disturbances like insulin resistance, irregular menstrual cycle,
infertility, excess hair and acne and weight gain.
Why it happens:
Eating processed foods (like sweets, fried snacks, packed
noodles, pizzas, burgers) and high sugar foods and lack of exercise leads to
insulin resistance as the basic problem leading to cystic ovaries and thus the
whole array of hormonal changes.
Can you avoid it? YES
Try to stick to foods in natural forms and have an active
lifestyle.
Try to eat foods low in dense calories for example if you
eat foods rich in sugars, even if you manage the calorie intake the damage is
already done so under eating will not help.
Tests:
High fasting insulin and glucose,
Reversal of LH/FSH ratio more than 2:1
High Free testosterone
High DHEA. S.
Ovarian Cysts on Ultra sound of abdomen.
Treatment:
Firstly life style modification is a must.
No excuses: You have to exercise no matter how you find
time. Even half hour of good intensity exercise is good.
Food habits need to change forever: have fruits that are low
in sugar and vegetables and good quality proteins from food. Avoid combinations
like starch and sugar, starch and oil.
Insulin resistance is the key feature so to tackle your
doctor may put you on Metformin (class of drugs called biguanides) initially.
Usually Metformin should help in regulation of periods and help with weight
loss and acne and excess hair.
Sometimes doctor can even put you on Aldactone/spironolactone
which are potassium sparing diuretics which help in lowering the androgenic
features like acne and excess hair.
Sometimes you will also receive oral contraceptive pills for
regulation of menstrual cycle.
But all this can be avoided if life style changes are made.
Long term dangers of PCOS:
Development of diabetes,
Inability to have children,
Mood disturbances,
Obesity.
Hope this helps.
Stay Healthy Folks.
