PCOS and PCOD: Myths busted and facts highlighted by doctors | Health - Hindustan Times
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PCOS and PCOD: Myths busted and facts highlighted by doctors

ByZarafshan Shiraz, Delhi
Mar 12, 2022 08:19 AM IST

Is PCOS only seen in teenage or obese girls? Do women with PCOD not become pregnant? Know all the facts from doctors as they debunk myths 

Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOD) or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age that reportedly affects at least one in every 10 women in India. Women suffering from PCOS go through a range of bodily issues like excessive body hair, weight gain, acne and sometimes infertility if it’s not managed well and are more likely to suffer from mental health problems like depress, anxiety and bipolar disorder.

PCOS and PCOD: Myths busted and facts highlighted by doctors (Pixabay)
PCOS and PCOD: Myths busted and facts highlighted by doctors (Pixabay)

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Asha Dalal, Director, Obstetrics & Gynaecology at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, explains, “PCOS is an endocrine disorder caused by insulin resistance. In this the excess sugar not metabolised is converted to fat. This leads to obesity and oligomenorrhoea (scanty periods), Type 2 diabetes and increased cardiovascular risk. It also causes increase in the male hormone levels causing acne excess hair growth or male type balding pattern. Long periods of no periods may cause unopposed action of oestrogen on the endometrium and this may increase risk of cancer of the uterine cancer.”

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To counter the effects of insulin resistance, Dr Asha Dalal recommended exercising. She said, “Walking for about an hour for at least 5 days a week is advised. Along with this, a diet is also recommended. A low glycemic index diet is good. The caloric intake will depend on your weight and other factors. Exercise and diet are the mainstay of the management at all ages and stages of life and walking is possible at all ages and all seasons. Besides exercise, drugs which are insulin sensitisers like Metformin and Myoinositol are also given to correct hormonal imbalance. These also help in weight loss especially at the beginning.”

Asserting that if one stops both diet and exercises, then it is possible to gain the wait again, Dr Asha Dalal highlighted that PCOS is a disorder which manifests as different forms at different ages, its management depends on symptoms, it cannot be cured only the symptoms can be managed.

Echoing the same, Dr Nilam Jain Kothari, Consultant Dermatologist at Masina Hospital in Mumbai, shared, “Recent spike in cases of adult onset acne, points to increasing hormonal issues in young and middle aged women alike, mostly due to PCOS and hyperprolactinemia. Acne associated with PCOS poses a bigger challenge to the treating dermatologist. Most of these patients present with recurrent, resistant and bigger lesions which respond slowly to standard treatment guidelines. Acne associated with PCOS generally come with pre menstrual flares and localised to the lower half of the face, jawline and upper neck.”

Dr Nilam Jain Kothari listed other features of PCOS like irregular menses, hirsutism, hair loss and weight gain while suggesting that the treatment of acne in such patients requires multidisciplinary approach - diet, lifestyle and stress management - with medical therapy for long term relief. She said, “A complete hormonal work up is to be done at the start of the treatment along with endocrine reference. Treating the underlying hormonal disorder, insulin resistance and hyperprolactinemia help to resolve the acne faster with minimal scarring. A dermatologist will devise suitable treatment plan comprising systemic and topical medications, combined with clinic based procedures like chemical peels and laser treatment.”

She revealed that most patients respond well within 8 to 12 weeks of treatment and that the scarring associated with acne can be mild to severe depending on the grade of acne and can be treated satisfactorily with micro needling and fractional laser, once the acne is under control. Highlighting certain facts, Dr Nilam Jain Kothari pointed out that acne associated with PCOS has a higher chance of relapse and may cause stress and anxiety issues in patients. Counselling wherever required should be sought in such cases. According to her, a PCOS specific diet and exercise plan is invaluable for long term relief of signs and symptoms associated with PCOS as it helps to regularise periods by reducing insulin resistance and free androgen levels in blood.

Dr Anagha Chhatrapati, Consultant-Gynecologist at Global Hospital in Mumbai offered to differentiate facts from myths and elaborated that PCOD or polycystic ovarian disease causes multisystem hormonal imbalance which is not only restricted to the female reproductive system but also affects their metabolism, endocrine function and dermatological manifestations.

Myth: PCOD causes weight gain

Fact: Contrary to popular belief, weight gain is responsible for PCOD. Excessive fat in girls body leads to production of male pattern hormones in her body, also called as androgens. These are responsible for hormonal imbalance and menstrual abnormalities. Optimal weight in kg should be height in cm minus 105, for normal functioning of ovulation. So if excessive weight is responsible for causing PCOD, the most effective treatment is obviously weight reduction, changes in lifestyle and regular exercise.

Myth: PCOD is only seen in teenage girls

Fact: PCOD can affect women of any age group. Most commonly it is seen in pubertal girls but any one till their late thirties can get PCOD.

Myth: It only affects obese girls

Fact: There is an entity called as Lean PCOD, which is seen in normal or underweight girls. Lack of physical activity is assumed to be responsible for this. This is a bit hard to treat as we can not advice weight reduction in them but regular 45 minutes of exercise regime definitely helps these girls.

Myth: PCOD women don't become pregnant

Fact: Although it may be difficult for PCOD women to conceive due to infrequent or absent ovulation, with medical assistance and lifestyle changes, these women definitely can fulfil their dream of motherhood. Although they have increased risk of abortion also. So it is advised to seek medical help in case woman wishes to start her family.

Additional facts:

1. PCOD can be associated with diabetes due to metabolic syndrome.

2. PCOD can lead to acne, scarring on face and permanent male pattern hair growth on face.

3. PCOD can in long run cause cancer of endometrium i.e. cancer of uterus.

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