DR PRYA GUPTA - PCOD: YOU NEED TO KNOW
An increasingly common reason behind consistent changes
in menstrual patterns is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) otherwise known as
PCOD. Young women often worry when they don’t get their period on a particular
date. But this is not something to worry about. While the menstrual cycle
ranges from 21 to 40 days, with 28 days on
average,these cycles may occur differently for different women.
“If you don’t get
your period for more than 37- 40 days, consider visiting your Ayurvedic gynecologist”
advises Dr Priya Gupta Sinha.
Symptoms of PCOD
PCOD is an endocrinological condition that affects periods,
fertility and your overall appearance. It is a genetic condition caused by
hormone dysfunction. In India, 1 in 5 women are affected by PCOD.Women may experience symptoms that includ irregular periods, excessive air growth
on her face and back, weight gain,oily skin or
acne, thinning of hair on the head, or difficulty getting pregnant.
“I wanted to get myself checked because I was aware it may pose
problems such as diabetes later in life as it did for my mother” says Anisha.
Women with PCOD are more prone to developing diabetes if they have
relatives with diabetes, are overweight, are over 40 years or have had
gestational diabetes.
It is natural for some women to feel low or experience mood swings
as the condition causes unwanted changes in physical appearance.
Some women start
seeing symptoms around the time of their first period. Others only discover
they have PCOS after they’ve gained a lot of weight or they’ve had trouble
getting pregnant.
The most common
PCOS symptoms are:
- Irregular periods. A lack of ovulation prevents the uterine
lining from shedding every month. Some women with PCOS get fewer than
eight periods a year .
- Heavy bleeding. The uterine lining builds up for a
longer period of time, so the periods you do get can be heavier than
normal.
- Hair growth. More than 70 percent of women with this
condition grow hair on their face and body — including on their back,
belly, and chest . Excess hair growth is
called hirsutism.
- Acne. Male hormones can make the skin oilier than
usual and cause breakouts on areas like the face, chest, and upper back.
- Weight gain. Up to 80 percent of women with PCOS are
overweight or obese .
- Male-pattern baldness. Hair on the scalp gets thinner and fall out.
- Darkening of the skin. Dark patches of
skin can form in body creases like those on the neck, in the groin, and
under the breasts.
- · Headaches. Hormone changes can trigger headaches in
some women.
Risk factors
PCOS is thought to have a genetic component.
People who have a mother or sister with PCOS are more likely to develop PCOS
than someone whose relatives do not have the condition. This family link is the
main risk factor.
Sugar is the body's primary source of energy,
and it is regulated in the body by insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas.
A person with insulin resistance is unable to use insulin efficiently. This
causes the pancreas to go into overdrive secreting additional insulin to meet
the body's glucose needs.
Excess insulin is thought to affect a woman's
ability to ovulate because of its effect on androgen production. Research has
shown that women with PCOS have low-grade inflammation that stimulates
polycystic ovaries to produce androgens.
Associated health risks
There are several health risks associated
with PCOS.
These include:
·
type 2 diabetes
·
infertility
·
high cholesterol
·
elevated lipids
·
sleep apnea
·
liver disease
·
abnormal uterine
bleeding
·
high blood
pressure
·
obesity possibly
leading to issues with low self-esteem and depression
·
metabolic syndrome
·
nonalcoholic fatty
liver (steatohepatitis)
·
depression and anxiety
Also, there is an increased risk of
endometrial cancer, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced high blood
pressure, heart attacks, and miscarriage.
Diet and lifestyle tips to treat PCOS
Treatment for PCOS
usually starts with lifestyle changes like weight loss, diet, and exercise.Losing just 5 to
10 percent of your body weight can help regulate our menstrual cycle and
improve PCOS symptoms . Weight loss can also
improve cholesterol levels, lower insulin, and reduce heart disease and
diabetes risks.
Any diet that
helps you lose weight can help your condition. However, some diets may have
advantages over others. Studies comparing
diets for PCOS have found that low-carbohydrate diets are
effective for both weight loss and lowering insulin levels. A low glycemic index (low-GI)
diet that gets most carbohydrates from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
helps regulate the menstrual cycle better than a regular weight loss diet . A few studies have
found that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at least three days a week
can help women with PCOS lose weight. Losing weight with exercise also improves
ovulation and insulin levels . Exercise is even
more beneficial when combined with a healthy diet. Diet plus exercise helps you
lose more weight than either intervention alone, and it lowers your risks for
diabetes and heart disease .There is some
evidence that acupuncture can help with improving PCOS, but more research is
needed .
DR PRIYA GUPTA
SWASTHASYA AYURVEDA CARE CLINIC & PANCHKARMA
SWASTHASYA AYURVEDA CARE CLINIC & PANCHKARMA
ATM 6 LGF,GALAXY PLAZA, MAIN GATE, Gaur City 1, Greater Noida West
http://www.swasthasyaayurveda.com
http://www.swasthasyaayurveda.com
Comments
Post a Comment