The Silent Battle: Exploring PCOD Symptoms and Their Impact

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a hormonal disorder in females of reproductive age. It is a complex condition that can lead to a range of health concerns. PCOD often goes undisclosed leaving many women silently struggling with its impact on their lives.

In this blog, we will explore what is PCOD, its causes in adolescents, symptoms, diagnosis, awareness, and empower those who are affected.

What is PCOD?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOD) is a hormonal disorder characterized by the presence of multiple cysts on the ovaries. While the exact cause of PCOD is still unknown, it is believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. As per medical claims, PCOD is mainly diagnosed due to hormonal imbalances.

Symptoms and Challenges

PCOD symptoms may vary from person to person. Some of the common signs and challenges associated with PCOD include:

Menstrual Irregularities: Adolescents with PCOD often experience irregular or absent menstrual periods. This is due to the disrupted ovulation process caused by hormonal imbalances.

Excess Androgen Levels: Elevated levels of androgens can lead to symptoms such as acne, excessive hair growth (hirsutism), and male-pattern baldness (alopecia) in adolescents.

Polycystic Ovaries: Enlarged ovaries containing multiple small cysts can be detected during ultrasound examinations. However, not all women with PCOD have polycystic ovaries, and the presence of cysts alone does not confirm the diagnosis.

Insulin Resistance: Many women with PCOD also experience insulin resistance, which can lead to weight gain, difficulty losing weight, and an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Emotional and Mental Health Issues: PCOD heavily affects woman's mental health, leading to depression and anxiety. They find difficulty in coping with infertility, body image concerns, and the challenges of managing symptoms.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Over the years, medical practitioners could not find any cure for PCOD, but they focus on alleviating symptoms, preventing long-term complications, and improving overall health.

Some of the treatment options include:

Medical treatment: Consult a good healthcare practitioner who can prescribe medicines to regulate the menstrual cycle, reduce androgen levels, and control other side effects.

Fertility Treatment: For women struggling with infertility due to PCOD, various fertility treatments like Ovulation Induction, In Vitro Fertilization(IVF) can be considered.

Adopting healthy lifestyles: Doing regular exercise, following a balanced diet, and weight management can help reduce the impact of PCOD.

Emotional Support: Given the challenges associated with PCOD, one can reach out to their friends & family, and seek help from the support community.

Conclusion

Spreading awareness among the affected and unaffected women encourages them to come out and seek the required medical help. Even though PCOD may have no cure, following a healthy diet, and making lifestyle changes can certainly help in improving the symptoms.