PCOD or polycystic ovarian disease is a hereditary or biological factor-based conditions that affects round 5-10% of women aged 12 to 45 years. To maintain egg formation in women, the ovaries are designed to produce a small quantity of male sex hormones and female sex hormones. During each menstrual cycle, one or more eggs are released from the ovaries. Women with PCOD produce more androgens (male hormone), resulting in hormonal imbalance, and the eggs, instead of being released, develop into cysts within the ovaries.
Related illnesses include type 2 diabetes, morbid obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, heart concerns, psychological disorders, and endometrial cancer.
Symptoms of PCOD include:
- Acne
- Irregular or no menstrual periods
- Severe menstrual periods
- Unwanted facial and body hair
- Thinning hair on the scalp
- Trouble getting pregnant
- Depression or anxiety
Is there a cure for PCOD?
It is a rather common condition, but there is no remedy for it. There is no exact cure for PCOD, the cure is yet to be discovered. The extent to which PCOD can be treated is assessed based on the symptoms. Practitioners of Ayurveda, on the other hand, believe that PCOD can be permanently cured using Ayurveda. Women can control and manage PCOD with the help of modern medicine; but Ayurveda is the world’s only medicine system that is both preventive and curative. The sole variable is the length of therapy, which varies based on the severity of PCOD and the size of the ovary.
The treatment plan includes changes in lifestyle, such as weight loss and exercise. PCOD can be managed by altering one’s lifestyle. A multidisciplinary strategy involving a dietician, gynecologist, endocrinologist, dermatologist and infertility expert is required. The ideal approach to control and manage PCOD is to maintain a healthy weight. Even a 5% weight loss can make a significant difference in the treatment of obese PCOD. As a result, PCOD patients must exercise regularly and eat a nutritious diet.
Medications
Birth control pills can help improve menstrual irregularities, excessive hair growth, and acne. Metformin, as well as anti-androgens can also help. Regular acne breakout treatment methods, as well as hair removal procedures, may also be implemented. Weight loss, clomiphene, and metformin are all options for improving fertility. The remainder of the treatment will be determined by the symptoms. The various modalities are as follows:
- Medications are used to treat insulin resistance and to balance hormones to correct menstrual cycles.
- Acne, pigmentation, and hair growth can be treated with skin treatments.
- Fertility drugs are provided to patients who are unable to conceive.
- Second-line treatment, such as aromatase inhibitors, laparoscopic surgery, or ovarian drilling, may be required in some cases.
- For individuals who want to get pregnant, PCOD is usually treated aggressively. Hormones and metformin are used to treat adolescents with irregular periods and insulin resistance.
Lifestyle changes
It should be remembered that no medication or treatment will be effective until lifestyle modifications are made.
PCOD can occur in association with other issues, such as diabetes or obesity, in certain women. When PCOD is linked to obesity or overweight, substantial weight loss is seen to be the most effective way to re-establish natural ovulation and menstruation. In 2013, a clinical study discovered that weight loss without regard to diet composition resulted in similar declines in body weight and body structure, as well as improvements in maternity level, menstruation consistency, ovulation, hyperparathyroidism, insulin resiliency, lipids, and quality of life. As a result, PCOD patients must exercise regularly and eat a nutritious diet.
Appropriate dietary consumption and weight management are critical. It is vital to follow a diet plan that meets your needs and nothing more. Menstrual periods have been found to become more regular as a result of a diet that includes vegetables, fresh fruits, and whole-grain resources.
Sugar and carbs should be limited in the diet. Patients suffering with PCOD should consume a lot of protein and fibre. When compared to a macronutrient-matched healthy diet, a diet plan that gets a considerable portion of overall carbohydrate from fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole-grain sources has resulted in more significant menstrual consistency (Dr. Mukesh Garg).
A few women have experienced significant improvements after following a healthy diet and getting enough exercise. According to Dr. Gargi Sharma, the following points should be noted when creating a diet plan:
- Avoid dairy-based food products and increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. Many health experts believe that dairy-based products elevate insulin levels, causing acne and other symptoms to worsen.
- Avoid red meat and instead consume lean meat like fish and poultry. According to a 2013 research, consuming meat increases the chance of infertility, thus it's better to avoid it. Sugary meals and beverages should be avoided.
- Saturated and hydrogenated fats should be avoided. Saturated fats are a kind of fat molecule present in many foods, but mostly in animal or dairy-based products. Saturated fats elevate cholesterol and add lot of calories. Saturated fat can also be found in baked goods, so read the labels carefully.
- Women with PCOS/PCOD have insulin resistance, thus the diet usually recommended is the same as for diabetics. It should be high in fibre and low in carbs and processed foods. Choose foods that have a low glycemic index, such as whole wheat, wheat flour, and whole grain. Brown rice, brown rice poha, and wheat pasta are some other low-glycemic-index meals. (Dr. Shalini Singhal)
- Sugar, jaggery, honey, and refined cereals like maida, sooji, white rice, white rice poha, etc. should be avoided.
- Patients with PCOD should eat small, frequent meals and drink a lot of water throughout the day to avoid water retention.
- You should take natural herbs like meethi dana, flaxseeds, and cinnamon to help keep your hormones under control.
- Trans fats, high sodium, and fatty foods should be avoided by PCOD patients.
Ayurveda as a permanent cure
Ayurveda is the world's only preventive and curative medical system. Furthermore, Ayurveda places a strong emphasis on a person's constitution and, as a result, prescribes a comprehensive treatment plan. Ayurveda treats the whole person, and not just the sickness.
PCOD is treated only on the surface by modern medicine. The following are some of the treatments offered by Ayurveda:
- Ayurveda is the only technique that may heal PCOD by dissolving cysts. This is a unique therapeutic method that is exclusively used in Ayurveda. For cyst dissolving, the finest herbs such as Gandhari and Varuna are utilized.
- Ovulation support medicine is administered, and it is purely herbal in nature.
- There is medicine for increasing metabolism, which is crucial in preventing any gynaecological problems.
The best part is that there are no side effects. These medications are 100% natural and herbal formulations made with the proper combination of medicinal herbs. The downside is that Ayurveda is slower that modern medicine. It can take anywhere from 3-6 months, depending on how severe the problem is. 80% of the patients were completely treated after six months of treatment. Other medications may give immediate relief, but they just suppress symptoms, whereas Ayurveda treats the problem at its source. Ayurvedic treatments are more time consuming, but they are also more effective. There is no likelihood of recurrence once you've been treated unless your food habits and lifestyle have gone absolutely haywire. With ayurveda, over 90% of people who have irregular periods begin to observe regular patterns in their period cycles.
To conclude, Despite the fact that there is no cure for PCOD, patients can live a normal life with the help of medicinal therapies and lifestyle adjustments. PCOD patients should have a positive attitude and persevere. Medical research is continuously advancing, and you have a variety of solutions to assist you manage with the symptoms you may be experiencing.
Sources:
https://www.indiraivf.com/pcod-causes-symptoms-treatment/https://www.nightingales.in/blog/womens-health/pcod-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/
https://ujalacygnus.com/blog_post/can-pcod-be-cured/
https://gynoveda.com/blogs/gynecology/pcod-frequently-asked-questions