Dr. Muhammad Mahtab Hossain Mazed

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a group of symptoms caused by increased levels of androgens (male hormones) in women. The ovaries are an important organ in women. Ovum or ovum is produced from the ovary which unites with the sperm to give birth to a child. Every woman has two ovaries. Ovarian cysts and tumors are a common problem in women today. A cyst or tumor in the ovary does not produce healthy ovaries or eggs. As a result, the woman does not conceive. Sometimes even if you get pregnant, the diseased ovary causes abortion (abortion). Cysts and tumors can lead to cancer. Ovarian Cyst: This disease usually occurs between the age of menopause and the onset of menstruation.

A fluid-filled sac in the ovary is called an ovarian cyst. Lately many women are suffering from this disease. There are various types of cysts in the ovary such as functional cyst, polycystic cyst (PCOS), endometriotic cyst, dermoid cyst, adenoma cyst, chocolate cyst etc. Which can be fixed by taking treatment under the advice of a specialist homeo doctor.

> What is Polycystic Ovary Disorder?
Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) is a hormonal condition that affects approximately 5-10% of women of childbearing age (12 to 45 years). Although the prevalence of PCOD varies, it affects about 9% to 22% of Indian women. In China and Sri Lanka the numbers are around 2% to 7%. In this condition, a woman's hormones go out of balance. This leads to various symptoms including absence of ovulation, irregular periods, difficulty conceiving, weight gain, acne and hirsutism. pCOD, also known as PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), if left untreated, can lead to more health complications such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and high cholesterol.

> Common symptoms of PCOD/PCOS
Early signs and symptoms of pCOD usually develop during the first menstrual cycle during adolescence. PCOD can also develop later due to weight gain over the years.

> PCOD has different symptoms. Some common symptoms are:

* Increased androgen levels – Excess male sex hormones can cause various physical manifestations, such as excess facial and body hair and male-pattern baldness.
* Irregular periods – You may observe irregular periods or delayed menstrual cycles due to abnormalities in egg maturation.
* Difficulty getting pregnant due to irregular and delayed or failed ovulation- abnormal hormone levels prevent follicles from maturing and releasing eggs, resulting in delayed or failed ovulation. This greatly affects the menstrual cycle and thereby your period. Many women are diagnosed with PCOD when they go to the doctor about unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant.
* Hair loss or excessive thinning of hair – This symptom is also due to increased production of male hormones in the body.
* Acne on the skin
* Weight gain

> Why does polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) occur?

Women who have a close female relative with PCOD have a 50% chance of developing PCOD.As you get older, this PCOD can lead to type 2 diabetes, since PCOD is a risk factor for developing diabetes so far, no single gene has been found to cause PCOD, and it can be complex and involve more than one. Gene

> Insulin resistance and lifestyle
Approximately 70% of women with pCOD have peripheral insulin resistance. The pancreas makes insulin, a hormone that helps the body use sugar from food for energy. Insulin resistance causes cells to not use insulin properly and the body's demand for insulin increases. To compensate, the pancreas produces more insulin.

> Causes of insulin resistance:

* Insulin resistance due to genetic factors
* Being overweight results in insulin resistance (and related inactivity).
* Combination of both these factors

> Inflammation
PCOS can increase inflammation levels in women. And being overweight can also contribute to inflammation. Studies in PCOD have shown that excess inflammation is associated with elevated androgen levels.

* Weight
Sometimes, being overweight can worsen the symptoms of insulin resistance and polycystic ovary syndrome. Some women with pCOD report never experiencing symptoms such as irregular periods or excessive hair growth, and a healthy weight. However, these symptoms only appear with weight gain.

> How is PCOD diagnosed?

While there is no specific test to confirm pCOD, your doctor will discuss your medical history and perform a physical exam to confirm the condition. They may then recommend:

* A pelvic exam
* Blood tests to measure hormone levels
* An ultrasound to check the appearance of your ovaries and uterus
If you are diagnosed with PCOD, your doctor will recommend regular checkups.

> What are some of the problems associated with PCOD?

Some complications can arise from PCOD. This includes various diseases and medical conditions, viz

Various metabolic syndromes including high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, elevated cholesterol and blood glucose levels.
* Miscarriage * Infertility * Gestational diabetes * Insomnia * Type 2 diabetes Depression and other mental disorders
* Endometrial cancer * Abnormal uterine bleeding * Intractable acne, indicating hormonal problems * Chronic liver inflammation
Studies also report that by the age of forty, about fifty percent of women with PCOD will develop pre-diabetes or already have diabetes, while many others will experience infertility at childbearing age.

> Treatment of PCOD
A cure for PCOD has not yet been determined. However with proper homeopathy treatment and lifestyle changes, you can manage this condition.

> What is the difference between PCOD and PCOS?
PCOS is a syndrome in which many cysts (fluid-filled sacs) begin to grow on both ovaries of women. They are large and often develop from immature eggs as well as other secretions. Due to this, women have to suffer from period problems. Sometimes they don't exist at all or else, they are unreliable and delayed. Usually, it is detected in teenagers, mostly during the first periodOn the other hand, PCOD has similar effects on the ovaries, but they are minor in nature. Ovaries produce small cysts which can go away within three months (requires lifestyle changes) and are less in number. In PCOD, periods are normal and sometimes delayed. PCOD is diagnosed when a woman of childbearing age is unable to conceive.
PCOD is more common than PCOS. About 1/3 of women worldwide have PCOD. PCOS cases are less than PCOD. PCOD is less likely to cause infertility. In about 80% of cases of PCOD, women can become pregnant with little medical help. PCOS makes conception somewhat difficult due to hormonal dysfunction.

> How to overcome PCOD
Although there is no exact cure for PCOD (Polycystic Ovary Disease), you can certainly manage your signs and symptoms for a better outcome. Here are some important pointers to consider to overcome PCOD: Maintaining a healthy weight is key to managing PCOD – weight loss can keep your androgen and insulin levels under control while restoring and regularizing your ovulation cycle. A dietitian can guide you to achieve this.
Limit your carbohydrate intake – A high-carb, low-fat diet can raise your insulin levels. A low-carb diet will likely help manage your symptoms better. Add complex carbohydrates to your diet. Consult your doctor for better advice.
Exercise regularly. It will keep your blood sugar levels under control – In women with PCOS, daily physical activity can help prevent insulin resistance. So, make sure to squeeze in at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.

> How to prevent PCOD
In most cases, you cannot prevent PCOD. However, a healthy diet and lifestyle can prevent potential complications. Read through the pointers given below:

Are you overweight? If so, try shedding those extra pounds. It will improve your blood sugar and cholesterol levels while regularizing your menstrual cycle and restoring fertility.
Do you have diabetes, or are you pre-diabetic? If yes, contact your doctor. Your doctor may prescribe medications to maintain insulin sensitivity and manage other symptoms.
Do you take birth control pills? Be sure to consult your doctor before taking contraceptives/birth control pills. Remember, only a doctor can give you the right advice.
Are you experiencing problems conceiving? If yes, then consult a fertility specialist. He may prescribe options such as medication or surgical procedures to induce ovulation.

> How to cure PCOD problem at home?
Maintaining a healthy weight, making lifestyle and dietary changes, and staying active are the best ways to manage PCOD. Apart from these, you can try to cure PCOD problem at home with the following:

Eating the right foods and eliminating certain ingredients from your diet can help you manage your PCOD symptoms.
Focus on healthy foods because they do not contain preservatives, chemicals, hormones and artificial sugar. Avoid processed food products and add more fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains to your diet.
Make sure your diet includes a healthy portion of protein.
Add anti-inflammatory foods to your diet including green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, olives, tree nuts, fatty fish such as tuna and mackerelEat iron-rich foods, including broccoli, spinach, dates, and eggs.
Magnesium-rich foods such as bananas, spinach, almonds and cashews are PCOS-friendly. Add these too. Eat a high fiber diet including beans, lentils, pears, broccoli, etc.

> Homeo Remedies :-Medicines that can be used for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome in the first place for similar symptoms:- Ovarinum, Folliculinum, Oophorinum, Thuja, Calcarea ova testa, Aurum Mur Natronatum, Apis Mel, Lachesis, Pulsatilla, Sepia, Calcarea flurica,
Many other medicines including Thuja, Calcarea Ova, Aurum Mur Natronatum can help with symptoms so do not self-medicate and consult an experienced homeopathic practitioner. Getting treatment from an experienced homeopathy doctor can help you recover quickly.

Finally, the word poly means many, so polycystic means many cysts. The main feature of PCOS is the absence of eggs from the uterus. What happens instead is that fluid builds up around the eggs, turning them into cysts. Although it is called a polycystic disorder because of this feature, not all girls may have multiple cysts on their ovaries. Because PCOS has multiple causes, there is no single treatment. PCOS is the most common endocrine gland disorder in women ages 18 to 44. About 2% to 20% of women in this age group are affected by this disease. One of the main causes of this disease is the loss of physical fertility in women due to hormonal imbalances. The earliest description of what is now known as PCOS dates back to 1721 in ItalyOne of the most practical ways to control and manage your symptoms is proper weight management. Did you know that even if you lose 5% of your weight, it will make your treatment easier and more effective? So women who have PCOD must exercise regularly and maintain a healthy lifestyle and diet. If you have this condition, reduce your carbohydrate and sugar intake and be sure to eat more high-fiber and high-protein foods.

The writer is a, Columnist & researcher Founder and Chairman, Jatiya Rogi Kallyan Society.