Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD also known as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

PCOS is a very common condition which affects around 10-15% of women in the age group from 12-45. This largely overlaps with reproductive age which generally is 25-40 years. 

One in 10 women in India is suffering from this problem.

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

This is a syndrome which occurs due to imbalance of hormones in woman’s body, mainly hormone Androgen which is a male sex hormone.

Generally this hormone is present in a very small amount in the ovaries. It helps in egg development in ovaries during menstrual cycle.

In PCOS, this hormone production increases & this causes multiple problems in ovulation. 

Primarily, the excess of Androgen stops maturation of follicles because of which oocytes are not available for conception.

Secondly, this causes formation of multiple cysts in ovaries because follicles do not mature and are not released from ovaries. Hence the name Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome. 

Thirdly, this causes other minor impacts also like, irregular menstruation, acne (pimples), extra facial & body hair growth. 

What are the symptoms of PCOS/PCOD

♦ Irregular menstrual cycles

♦ Weight gain

♦ Extra hairs on face & body 

♦ Acne(pimples)

♦ Fertility problems because of anovulation or defect in ovulation like unruptured follicle, cyst formation

♦ Thinning of hairs on scalp due to excess androgen

♦ Depression

What are the factors causing PCOS/PCOD?

♦ Genetic factors

♦ Excess androgen

♦ Obesity

♦ Insulin rise

Which investigations help to diagnose this syndrome?

Hormonal blood tests namely FSH, LH, Thyroid test, AMH.

Along with that routine blood investigations should also be done for Blood Sugar & Serum insulin levels, cholesterol levels. 

Best diagnostic test is pelvis sonography by transvaginal method. 

How the fertility is planned for PCOS/PCOD?

PCOD gives ovulation problems because of hormonal imbalance.

Hence, treatment for correction of hormonal imbalance is required for conception.

Ovulation study and Ovulation Induction is done for monitoring of ovulation.

Fertility treatment like IVF, ICSI, PGS/PGD is also done in cases where above treatments fail to give results .

Treatment plans for PCOS/PCOD

The treatment is different for adolescent young girls and females suffering from infertility.

However there is an overlap because PCOD if not corrected in adolescence, will lead to infertility / pregnancy issues later in their life. 

♦ Hormonal imbalance. correction by medicines like birth control pills or Progesterone pills or Anti androgen pills 

♦ Medication for increasing sensitivity to insulin 

♦ Drugs for Ovulation Induction

♦ Laparoscopic ovarian drilling – to reduce size of ovary. Medicine may take 2 years but a single operaion gives you pregnancy.

♦ Obesity management

♦ Lifestyle changes

♦ Stress therapies

♦ Cosmetic treatments

The top 4 reasons are applicable even for infertility. But if these treatments do not give results then other fertility treatments are also considered like IUI, IVF, ICSI, PGS/PGD.

Complications of PCOS/PCOD

♦ Infertility

♦ Type 2 diabetes

♦ Heart problems

♦ Cholesterol abnormalities

♦ High blood pressure

♦ Increased risk of endometrial cancer

♦ Possible increased risk of breast cancer

♦ High risk of abortion in case of natural conception 

Conclusion

PCOD/PCOS is a syndrome which require perfect management by expert gynaecologist, who is having knowledge in all  fields like endochrinology, sonography, laparoscopy & infertility. Dr (Mrs.) Manik R.Kale, the senior IVF Specialist and  Dr. Sayali Kale Kandari, the senior Geneticist  at Akruti IVF center, LLP Dombivli are 2  IVFexperts with vast experience in these fields.

This and many more Male and Female infertility treatments are available to patients of Thane, Kalyan Ambernath, Badalapur, Palava, Mumbra area. Please call  Akruti IVF Centre LLP Dombivli at the numbers mentioned on top of this page to know how we can assist you.