Understanding Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD)

Polycystic Ovarian Disease is a medical condition. Patients having PCOD will witness numerous tiny cysts in their ovaries during an ultrasound. The ovaries are usually bulky. Increased high resistance blood flow is noted by the Doppler scanner in PCOD ovaries. PCOD is a major cause of female infertility globally. This is because the female sex hormones in the body play an important role in the development of normal follicles and ovum. In many cases, the polycystic ovaries will have a thick fibrous covering. So that when the ovum is formed it cannot burst and come out of the ovary, resulting in a failed fertilization. The international PCOS guideline development group recommends an Antral Follicle Count ≥20 in adult women to diagnose PCOD. This disease affects nearly 20% of Indian women. During follow-up, it was discovered that the majority of the patients were in their late midlife and mostly diabetic. Polycystic Ovarian Disease may occur due to genetic reasons, and poor lifestyle.

Symptoms of polycystic ovarian disease

The Polycystic ovarian disease is characterized by the following symptoms:

• Continuous weight gain
• Irregular menstrual cycle
• Unsatisfied sexual life
• Infertility or difficulty in getting pregnant
• Rapid heart rate
• Excess body hair
• Skin disorders such as acne or oily skin
• Pain in the pelvic area and abdominal bloating
• Rarely In large PCOD ovaries, torsion can occur causing severe pain. This is an acute surgical emergency

How is PCOD diagnosed?

PCOD patients are usually overweight and obese with increased facial and body hair and with history of irregular periods. Many of them find it difficult to become pregnant. They are subfertile and hence may need the help of a gynecologist or endocrinologist to become pregnant. Incidence of abortions in early pregnancy is also more common than in normal pregnant ladies.

Can PCOD be cured?

The polycystic ovarian disease is not life-threatening.  To manage PCOD the most important factor is to consider it as a lifestyle disease and to change our lifestyle patterns. Avoid “fast food”, try to reduce body weight, and do regular body exercise. In a few cases, tablets like metformin may be helpful in curing PCOD. 

Can a patient with PCOD get pregnant?

A PCOD patient can be classified as subfertile which means they need help from an infertility specialist to become pregnant. Also Incidents of abortions in early pregnancy is more in PCO patient. Hence, they need better antenatal care, especially in the initial stages of pregnancies.

Don’t ever think that a PCO patient cannot get pregnant and cannot enjoy motherhood.