PCOD Management

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pcod management

PCOD or PCOS is a condition that affects women’s ovaries, the reproductive organs that produce progesterone and estrogen hormones that help in regulating the menstrual cycle and also produce a small amount of hormones inhibin, relaxin, and male hormones called androgens.

Almost 10% of women in the world is suffering from PCOD. In compare to PCOD women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes them to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant.

Besides unpredictable hormonal behavior, this condition can trigger

Diabetes
Infertility
Acne
Excessive hair growth

It’s a fairly common disorder, but one with no exact cure.

What is PCOD Problem?

PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) is a medical condition in which the woman’s ovaries produce immature or partially mature eggs in large numbers and over time these become cysts in the ovaries. Due to this ovaries become large and secrete large amounts of male hormones (androgens) causing infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, hair loss, and abnormal weight gain. PCOD can be controlled by diet and lifestyle modifications.

Causes of PCOS

Exactly how women get affected by PCOS is not known, however, these are some significant factors:

Excess insulin production: excess insulin levels in the body might increase androgen production (a male hormone which is very less in females) that causes difficulty with ovulation
Excess androgen production: The ovaries produce abnormally excess androgen hormones that can lead to acne and hirsutism (hair growth on the face and body)
Low-grade inflammation: As per a recent study, females with PCOS are having low-grade inflammation that causes an increased level of androgen production which can lead to blood vessels or heart problems.
Heredity: Women with PCOS show certain genetic correlation

Lifestyle modification and home remedies for PCOD / PCOS

PCOD / PCOS mainly affects the body’s hormone balance in females. The following steps will help females to decrease their androgen levels in the body:

Maintaining healthy body weight: BMI (body mass index) ranges from 18.5 – 24.9 considered ideal and healthy for females, above 30 is considered obese and not healthy. Maintaining healthy body weight or weight loss help in improving overall body cholesterol levels, reduces the risk of high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes, and maintains ideal insulin levels and androgen levels that also restore the ovulation phase in the menstrual cycle. Consult a dietitian for the weight-loss program to reach a healthy BMI.
Limiting carbohydrate consumption: If you have PCOD or PCOS follow a low-carb diet or complex carbohydrates diet that helps in maintaining insulin levels. Eat fish, meat, eggs, vegetables that grow above ground and natural fats (like sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and butter) and avoid sugar and starchy foods (like potatoes, bread, rice, pasta, and beans)
Do regular exercise and be active: If you have PCOD or PCOS doing regular exercise and becoming active will help in regulating blood sugar levels and keep your weight under control.