CONNECTOR.AE 38 CONNECTOR.AE 39 Health and Wellness Health and Wellness PCOD: Decoding The Cause, Symptoms Behind This Disorder Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) is frequentlymistaken for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), but these are different conditions. According to a UNICEF article, PCOD is more common in women, affecting about onethird of menstruating women worldwide. Now, let’s delve into what PCOD is and what leads to it, to gain a comprehensive understanding. What Is PCOD? PCOD is a medical condition where a woman’s ovaries produce immature eggs during the reproductive years, turning them into cysts over time. These cysts swell the ovaries and release too many male hormones (androgen), leading to infertility problems, irregular periods, gaining weight, and other health issues. What Causes PCOD? While the exact cause of PCOD is not welldefined, it is often linked to factors such as an unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, stress, elevated androgen levels, pollution, medications affecting hormones, and in certain instances, it is hereditary and runs in families. Symptoms Of POCD PCOD mainly impacts the ovaries, and it comes with various signs and symptoms. These include delayed or irregular menstrual periods, heavy bleeding, excess facial hair, acne, obesity, sleep issues, skin darkening or pigmentation around the neck, difficulty in getting pregnant, feelings of depression, and hair loss. How Is PCOD Diagnosed? If you have been dealing with the abovementioned symptoms for a while, it’s time to head to your gynaecologist and get some tests done. As per Dr. Rabeela P V, Specialist Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aster Hospital Muhaisnah, “PCOD is diagnosed through a combination of medical history, physical exams, and tests.” Dr. Rabeela P V, Aster Hospital Muhaisnah, breaks down the diagnoses in three steps: - Blood Tests: Hormone levels, including testosterone, luteinising hormone, folliclestimulating hormone, and insulin levels, are checked. - Ultrasound: Imaging tests like transvaginal ultrasound help visualise the ovaries for cysts or follicles. - Other Tests: Sometimes, additional tests like a glucose tolerance test or lipid profile might be recommended to assess associated conditions like insulin resistance or lipid abnormalities.
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