Know Everything About Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) in Short

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is the most common hormonal disorder, occurring in women in their reproductive life, about 4-10% of women have this disorder.

In PCOS, the ovaries are larger than normal and there are a series of undeveloped follicles that appear in clumps somewhat like a bunch of grapes.  Polycystic ovaries are not troublesome and may not always affect fertility. When the cyst causes hormonal imbalance, a pattern of symptoms appear.

Polycystic ovaries have been associated with one or more factors. These include :

• Genetic predisposition
• Insulin resistance or Hyperinsulinism that is high levels of insulin in blood
• Hyperandrogenism – excess production of male hormones
• Abnormality of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.

Polycystic ovaries present with wide variety of symptoms that may vary with each individual, These include :

• Multiple ovarian cysts on sonography
• Irregular or absent menses
• Infertility
• Acne
• Obesity or inability to lose weight
• Excessive body or facial hair – Hirsutism
• Thinning of the scalp hair
• Velvety hyperpigmented skin folds also known as acanthosis nigricans
• Multiple hormonal imbalance.

The treatment in polycystic ovaries is individualist, depending on the age at which the patient comes to you.