“PCOD”; you’ve possibly heard the abbreviation being used quite frequently. While we know that it is a disorder associated with menstruation, we don’t realise how common it is. More often than not, PCOD/PCOS goes undetected for a long period of time due to a lack of awareness. We’ve penned down everything you need to know about it.
Read on and don’t forget to share the information!
What is PCOD?
The full form of PCOS is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. PCOD or PCOS is caused due to an imbalance in reproductive hormones. As part of a healthy menstrual cycle, an egg created by the ovaries is released every month. With PCOS, the egg may not develop as it should or it may not be released during ovulation as it should be. PCOD causes the ovaries to develop multiple, small cysts on the ovaries, hence the name – Polycystic Ovary Disorder/Syndrome. It is the most common cause of irregular periods, insulin resistance and infertility in women.
PCOD
Image Source: Wetasy
How common is it?
One out of 10 women in India have PCOD, six out of ten of which are teenage girls. Due to a lack of education and awareness in the country, PCOD/PCOS often goes undetected.
What causes PCOD?
The exact causes of PCOD are still unknown. While genes do play a role, an unhealthy lifestyle, an unsuitable diet and lack of regular exercise contribute towards increasing the risk.
How do you know if you have PCOD/PCOS?
Since the spectrum of symptoms is very broad, make sure to consult a doctor if you’re experiencing any of them:
- Irregular periods
- Extremely heavy or light flow during menstruation
- Weight gain
- Excessive body hair
- Thinning hair or hair loss on the scalp
- Acne
- Regular headaches
- Pelvic pain
- Problems with sleep
- Rapid mood changes
What is the treatment for PCOD?
Consulting a gynecologist is the first and most important step. While PCOD/PCOS is not completely curable, early detection is key. Various steps can be taken to control the symptoms in order to make it more manageable.
We hope this post helps you understand PCOD better. If you feel like you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, your gynecologist is only a call away! Detection is instrumental to control and curb the symptoms and will also improve fertility.
If you have any questions or suggestions for the Nua Community, leave them below in the comments section.
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Featured image credits- Image Source: Hello Doktor
I hvae been recently diagnosed with PCOS and its making me irritated everyday. I have been on my periods for over a month. I don’t exercise that regularly and i have gained a lot of weight because of it. And the worst is the family memebers who know about this consider me too ill and don’t let me near themselves
Palak, I am sure it must be so tough to go through month long periods! I hope you’ve consulted a gynaecologist and are taking the necessary medication. Please try to stay positive – exercise and eat healthy, that’ll help you feel better. Remember, you’ll get through this too 🙂
What are the various steps that can be taken to cure pcod? Read the whole article in search of this question please let me know if possible. What is to be done except for visiting gynaecologist??
Hello 🙂 We will not be able to give you a foolproof tip as every woman’s body is different. We recommend consulting a good gynaecologist who can suggest lifestyle changes to cope up with symptoms. Do let us know how the session went.
I am diagnosed with pcods 6 years back i dont get my periods regular (once in 3 month) but my gynaec said there is no need to worry come after marriage ? im very much concerned about it!
Dear Aafia, we understand how concerned you might be due to PCODS. Kindly follow your gynaecologist’s recommendation and medication they’ve prescribed. Additionally, it would be a good idea to switch to a healthier diet and exercising regularly. This will help you regulate your periods better 🙂
Yes! My gynaecologist said to come after I get my too? What to do when even doctors are unhelpful?
I think it’s because the only medicine is birth control pill and its useless taking it now. Only after marriage it becomes necessary to worry about fertility (at least I think that’s what my doctor thinks.)
I’ve read a lot about PCOS and the overall thing is to eat healthy, drink lots of water and exercise. I’ve started to incorporate everything now. Hopefully, I will see some changes soon!
Install a food tracking app and see what you’ve been eating everyday. It makes a big difference as I’ve started cutting down on unhealthy food by just seeing the amount of calories I’ve been taking in all this while. I’m not obese but not really a healthy BMI either. Reducing weight helps too, I’ve heard.
My gynaecologist said to come after my marriage. I left out a word, sorry.
I came to know about my PCOD problem on 2014 and I was around 67kgs . After that I reduced my weight to 57kgs and I taken Erythrina Indica leave for 42days then my periods because normal then became of my work stress I can’t able to continue with that. Now I was struggling with the same problem and I gained 62kgs from 57kgs. What can I do know? Will it affect my pregnancy?
Hi Saranya, as you rightly put, lifestyle changes and weight gain can affect the regularity of your period. We recommend visiting your gynaecologist and then a nutritionist. Switching over to a healthier diet and regular exercise will also help 🙂
I do not face irregular periods but sometimes its a heavy flow and sometimes normal or even low. There is no such hair loss on the scalp but do face mood swings during periods and also lack of sleep at times. Does all this is a sign of PCOD?
Dear Kanasha, irregular periods stem from multiple reasons including Thyroid, obesity and anaemia. We recommend visiting a gynaecologist in the near future for a physical checkup. They will be able to identify the cause and prescribe medications accordingly. We hope this helps 🙂
Hello mam
I have been suffering from PCODS from last 4 to 5 years
I have been taking many treatments but there is no effect and it causes unwanted hairs on my face and many other issues
So what can I do now ?
Please help
Dear Rudrakshi, kindly continue with your treatment. In the meantime, we also recommend switching over to a healthier diet and regular exercise. Please don’t give up hope. It will get better 🙂
I have already consulted my doctor and got an ultra sound done doctor took it lightly by saying don’t gain more weight and relax this is common these days and it’s been 4 months I haven’t got my periods what to do?
Dear Ishika, kindly get a second opinion from another gynaecologist. In the meantime, switching over to a healthier diet and regular exercise might help in regulating your periods. We hope this helps 🙂
I top have been diagnosed with PCoS…
I am having a rapid increase in facial hair…
What can I do to prevent it…
I had started doing exercise n consuming balanced diet …N what next to be done 4 it ..Plz help
Dear Mansi, we can understand how tough it might be for you. Kindly visit a gynaecologist and then a nutritionist. They will be able to prescribe medications and help you get through this 🙂
I have pcod since 8 years.. There is excessive hair loss… My hair have thinned a lot… Plz guide me with any suggestion
Hi Aishwarya,
We really appreciate you reaching out to us. We are constantly looking for answers to help make things easier for you and we will certainly speak to our experts about your query. We will soon put up an article about PCOD and hair loss.
I was searching for so long about the information about PCOD . Plus, many of my friends were looking for the same too.
Good content you are having on this page loved to be a member of this page keep up the good work guyz, you are doing a great job for awareness.
Superb Very creative Superior work
Great content shared by you through this article. This information will prove to be very useful to deal with the complications of PCOD.