subject: Knowing How To Cure PCOD [print this page] Knowing How To Cure PCOD Knowing How To Cure PCOD
Polycystic ovarian disease or PCOD is a hereditary disease, there is no other known reason for it's occurrence. Women develop multiple cysts in their ovaries from disrupted menstrual cycles. Their ovaries become enlarged and excessive amounts of androgen are produced along with estrogenic hormones. When ovulation is absent and hormones increase infertility can happen. This syndrome is also referred to as Stein-Leventhal Syndrome and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS. To cure PCOD requires a diligent doctor who is familiar with the syndrome.
It is easy to diagnose PCOD when women are experiencing irregular menstrual cycles that are heavy and unpredictable and patients may need to take progestins to induce periods. Patients are often obese and and have hirsutism or excessive facial and body hair from high androgen levels. Not all patients will have these symptoms. Diagnosis can be confirmed with an ultrasound that shows the ovaries are enlarged, there is increased bright central stroma and they have multiple small cysts. The cysts are usually in a necklace formation along the outside of the ovaries. Blood tests are also useful in the diagnosis as they will show high levels of LH, a normal FSH and elevated androgens.
The disease is transmitted from mother to daughter having a hereditary component so one should be checked for it if maternal relatives have tested positive. Being obese will aggravate the condition and efforts to should be made to lose weight. Fatty tissues tend to activate hormones and produce estrogen which interrupts normal ovulation cycles. Overactive adrenal glands can also add to the the excess of androgens in the body. High levels of insulin or insulin resistance have been reported in women with PCOD.
Women who are thin and have regular periods and no symptoms can have occult PCOD. It is detected when the patients are super-ovulated and they over-respond by producing a large number of follicles. They also often have recurring miscarriages.
Physical activity is important is treating this condition. Jogging, swimming, walking or any aerobic activity is advised. Weight loss is effective, a dietitian is often brought in to assist as it is not always easy to lose weight. Focusing on inducing ovulation to help the patient conceive is the plan doctors follow.
Inducing ovulation has to be done carefully keeping in mind that women with PCOD often have insulin resistance and do not respond to some medications. Drugs that reverse endocrine abnormality and improve ovulatory response are used. The patient needs to be monitored closely to make sure she is not over producing follicles and there is an increased chance of multiple pregnancy.
Sometimes when all else fails laparoscopic ovarian cauterisation or ovarian drilling is employed. This procedure is done on women who have large ovaries and elevated stroma. It destroys normal tissue to stimulate the ovaries to ovulate. In about 80 percent of patients this surgery will cause them to resume normal cycles and about half of the women will conceive within a years time. A wedge resection was previously the only surgical option but it is reserved for last resort situations.
The next procedure that will be done is intrauterine insemination. After this is done 3 times invitro fertilization is the next option to try. Find a doctor that specializes in this condition for the best results, the patient will need close monitoring as hormones are being fine tuned.
