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PCOS/PCOD

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome which more popularly known as PCOS is a condition where patients suffer from many small cysts in their ovaries. The meaning of ‘Poly’ is many. These cysts occur when the regular changes that happen to the normal menstrual cycle are disturbed. This causes the ovary to enlarge and secrete huge amounts of estrogenic and androgen hormones. When this happens along with lack of ovulation, it results in infertility.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS is sometimes referred to as Polycystic Ovarian Disease or PCOD. PCOS is a condition where the patient suffers irregularity in the monthly menstrual cycle and has excess androgens which are the male hormones.

Causes

There is no specific reason as to why Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome occurs. Heredity is found out to be one of the major causes of PCOS and can be transferred as a hereditary component from the mother to her daughter. Obesity is another reason that can give rise of PCOS. This is mainly because of the fact that the fatty tissues are hormonally very active and produce high amounts of estrogen which causes an interference with the normal ovulation cycle. Some of the other important causes of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome are as follows.

• Higher level of insulin is an important contributor of giving rise of PCOS. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas of the human body that allows the cells of the body to use sugar as the body’s primary energy source. Now, if the cells of the body become resistant to insulin’s action, the body produces more insulin which in turn elevates the levels of sugar in blood. At this point of time, there is a hormonal imbalance in the body and excess insulin might increase the production of androgen which interferes with the normal ovulation cycle thereby causing PCOS.

• If there has been an existing family history of PCOS, then there are high chances of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome to be transferred to the next generation since heredity and genetic factors play a vital role in this regard.

• Low grade inflammation is a term that describes the production of substances by the WBCs for fighting infection. Research has revealed that women with PCOS have a low grade inflammation which helps in the stimulation of the polycystic ovaries for producing androgens which can also lead to blood vessel and heart problems.

• If the ovaries tend to produce excess androgen, the chances of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome are increased along with causing acne and hirsutism.

Few Statistics

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome has become a very common disorder among the females which is quite evident from the fact that about one in every ten women of our country has PCOS. Another vital point to be noted here is that out of every ten women diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, six are teenagers. Thus, indicating a high percentage of affected females with PCOS are teenagers. Additionally, a study conducted by the department of endocrinology and metabolism from AIIMS revealed that about 20 to 25 percent of child bearing Indian women have PCOS. On the other hand, 60 percent of the affected women are obese and 35 to 50 percent have a fatty liver. Moreover, about 70 percent of the affected women have insulin resistance, 40 to 60 percent have glucose intolerance and 60 to 70 percent have elevated levels of androgen. Overall, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is estimated to affect about ten million globally.

Symptoms

The main signs and symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome are as listed below.

• Absence of menses

• Massive hair on body and face or parts of the body where men usually have hair

• Weight Gain

• Abnormal or Irregular periods

• Excessive bleeding along with pain during periods

• Severe Pelvic pain

• Problems of fertility and pregnancy

• Appearance of acne on face, upper back and chest

• Thinning of hair or loss of hair from the scalp or male baldness pattern

• Sudden gain of weight without any known cause or difficulty in losing weight

• Darkening of the skin specially along neck creases, underneath the breasts or in the groin

• Appearance of small and excess flaps of skin in the neck area or the armpits which are referred to as skin tags

Diagnosis

There is no single test for the diagnosis of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. To start off with the diagnosis of PCOS, the doctor begins with the medical history of the affected individual which is followed with physical exams along with different tests.

• The doctor begins with conducting a physical examination where the blood pressure, BMI and waist size are checked. The doctors check for excess hair or acne on face, chest, back and any discoloration of the skin. It is also checked for loss of hair or other health conditions like enlarged thyroid gland.

• The next step of diagnosis is a pelvic exam for the signs of excess male hormones like an enlarged clitoris and for checking whether the ovaries are swollen or enlarged.

• Then a pelvic ultrasound or sonogram is conducted which is performed for a detailed examination of the ovaries for cysts and check the lining of the uterus.

• Finally, a few blood tests are conducted to check for the elevated levels of the hormone androgen which are actually the male hormones. The levels of cholesterol and diabetes is also checked

Homeopathic Treatment for PCOS

Homeopathic treatment for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is quite effective in nature and certainly the best alternative medication for this condition. Homeopathic medicines are preferred in this regard because its ultimate focus is on curing the disease from the roots and not just suppressing the symptoms. With the help of the homeopathic medicines, one can restore and balance of the vitality of the body for an overall well being.

Few of the popular and effective medicines for PCOS/PCOD are:

• Apis Mellifica - Administered for PCOD with pricking pains

• Pulsatilla – Taken for PCOS with very less and late periods

• Sepia - Taken for PCOS with acute pains

• Lachesis – Taken for PCOD with repulsion to cloths those are tight

• Graphites – Taken to treat PCOD with constipation

Authored By Dr. Sanjay Panicker