PCOD or PCOS is a condition that affects the ovaries of women, which are the reproductive organs responsible for producing hormones such as progesterone and estrogen, crucial for regulating the menstrual cycle. Additionally, they produce small amounts of hormones like inhibin, relaxin, and androgens, which are male hormones.
Approximately 10% of women worldwide suffer from PCOD. In comparison, women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal levels of male hormones. This hormonal imbalance can lead to irregular menstrual cycles and difficulty conceiving.
Alongside unpredictable hormonal fluctuations, this condition may also result in:
– Diabetes
– Infertility
– Acne
– Excessive hair growth
While PCOD is a relatively common disorder, there is no exact cure for it.
SIGNS:
The signs and symptoms of PCOD problem or PCOS can vary among individuals, but some common indicators include:
– Irregular menstruation (Oligomenorrhea)
– Skipped or absent menstruation (Amenorrhea)
– Heavy menstrual bleeding (Menorrhagia)
– Excessive hair growth (on the face, body, including areas like the back, belly, and chest)
– Acne (occurring on the face, chest, and upper back)
– Weight gain
– Hair loss (thinning of hair on the scalp and hair fall)
– Skin darkening (in areas such as the neck, groin, and under the breasts)
These symptoms may manifest differently in different individuals and may appear around the time of their first period or may become noticeable later, such as when experiencing weight gain or having trouble getting pregnant.
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 body might increase androgen production (a male hormone which is very less in female) 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 the recent study, female with PCOS are having low-grade inflammation that causes increased level of androgen production which can lead to blood vessels or heart problem.
Heredity: Women with PCOS show certain genetics correlation