Introduction
PCOD is a medical condition affecting women’s ovaries and the reproductive organ that produce hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which help regulate the menstrual cycle. This results in hormonal imbalance, which causes the women to skin their menstrual cycle and make it hard for them to get pregnant. PCOD can also trigger diabetes, acne problem, infertility, and excessive hair growth.
What Are the Problems Caused by PCOD?
PCOD is a condition where immature or partially matured eggs are produced in large numbers by the ovaries, and over a while, they develop as a cyst in the ovaries. Due to this condition, the ovaries enlarge and produce more male hormones called androgens resulting in infertility, irregular menstrual cycle, abnormal weight gain, and hair loss. It can be corrected by lifestyle changes and following a healthy diet.
What Are the Symptoms of PCOD?
The most common signs and symptoms of PCOD are,
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Irregular menstrual cycle due to abnormality in egg maturation.
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Absence of menstrual cycle for a long period.
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Heavy menstrual cycle.
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Excessive hair growth throughout the body.
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Acne problem.
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Abnormal weight gain.
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Excessive hair loss.
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Darkening of the skin.
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Increased androgen production, a male sex hormone, results in various physical characteristics such as excessive hair growth in the face and male-patterned baldness.
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The imbalance in hormone levels results in the delay of maturing and releasing the egg, which causes delayed or failed ovulation. This leads to an irregular menstrual cycle, making it difficult to get pregnant due to irregular, delayed, or failed ovulation.
What Are the Causes of PCOD?
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Family History:
There is a 50% chance of women getting PCOD if their immediate female relatives have PCOD. The risk factor of PCOD is tthe chances of developing type 2 diabetes. Not a single gene is responsible for the occurrence of PCOD.
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Resistance to Insulin and Lifestyle:
Peripheral insulin resistance is seen in 70 % of women with PCOD. Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which helps the body use sugar from food. The cells can not use insulin properly, and the demand for insulin in the body increases. To compensate for the demand for insulin, the pancreas increases insulin production.
The Factors for Insulin Resistance Are:
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Genetic factor.
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Abnormal excessive weight.
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A combination of these factors.
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Inflammation:
PCOD increases inflammation, whereas excessive weight also contributes to inflammation. The chance of excessive inflammation is linked with the high release of androgen levels.
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Weight:
Excessive weight, a common symptom, may worsen insulin resistance and the symptoms of PCOS (Polycystic ovarian syndrome). In some cases, women with PCOD will not experience any irregularity in their menstrual cycle or hair growth and are of healthy weight; however, these symptoms occur only when there is an increase in weight.
What Are the Complications of PCOD?
The increased level of androgen leads to many complications, such as
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Abnormal uterus bleeding.
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Infertility or infertility due to hypertension.
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Type 2 diabetes.
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Premature birth.
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Risk of high blood sugar, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
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Depression.
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Sleep apnea.
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Thickening of the uterine wall results in endometrial cancer.
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Miscarriage.
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Chronic liver inflammation.
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Untreatable acne.
How Is PCOD Diagnosed?
Usually, PCOD can be identified through blood testing and imaging. By physical findings, the doctor may enquire about medical history, eating and drinking habits, and taking any medications, including vitamins or supplements.
To diagnose PCOD, the doctor may recommend
1. Pelvic Examination: Physical checkup of the reproductive organs to rule out the presence of any mass, abnormalities, or growth.
2. Blood Test: Blood tests help us to know about hormone levels and glucose tolerance tests.
3. Imaging: An ultrasound imaging test is used to check the size of the ovaries, the lining of the uterus, or any cyst in the ovaries.
4. Regular monitoring of blood pressure, glucose tolerance, cholesterol, or triglycerides.
5. Screening for stress, anxiety, depression, or obstructive sleep apnea.
How Does Yoga Help With PCOD?
Yoga is a physical activity that heals the mind, body, and spirit. It helps to reduce the level of testosterone hormone, which induces stress, anxiety, and depression which in turn reduces mood swings and food cravings. Regular yoga helps maintain a healthy weight that restores the hormonal balance. Meditation and breathing techniques help reduce the stress and anxiety associated with PCOD. A healthy diet, medication by the gynecologist, and lifestyle changes all together help with the PCOD condition.
What Yoga Postures Can Be Followed?
Women with PCOD can follow six yoga postures; these are
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Garland Posture (Malasana):
This posture has to stretch the pelvic floor and abdominal core as it opens the hips. This increases blood circulation to the pelvic floor and improves metabolism by aiding digestion.
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Bridge Posture:
It helps to relieve stress, depression, and anxiety and also relieves the tension in the back muscle.
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Bow Posture:
It helps stimulate the reproductive organ, regulating menstrual flow and reducing menstrual discomfort. It helps to increase blood circulation to the pelvic region, release tension from the abdominal organ, and stretch the neck, shoulder, and muscles in the leg.
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Butterfly and Bound Angle Posture:
It is a restorative yoga posture that helps to support the spine and back as it releases the tension from the shoulder and chest and opens the heart and hip.
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Bonus Breathing Technique:
It is a rapid breathing technique that helps to deal with certain conditions of PCOD, like weight management, blood sugar level, and stress level.
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Head-knee posture.
It helps to gently massage the internal organs, like kidneys and ovaries, with each deep breath.
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Cat-cow posture.
Slow breathing results in relaxing the neck, back, and spine. It helps to relieve stress and helps to deal with PCOD.
Can Other Physical Activity Benefit PCOD?
Yoga is not the only physical form that helps with PCOD; any physical activity such as walking, jogging, cycling, or swimming can help with PCOD by balancing the hormonal level, reducing weight, and balancing sugar and insulin level.
What Are the Lifestyle Modifications to Be Done?
Certain changes in the lifestyle help people to reduce androgen production and balance their hormonal levels; these are:
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Maintaining Proper Healthy Body Weight:
Maintaining a healthy body weight helps reduce cholesterol levels, lowers blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes, maintains normal insulin levels and restores ovulation.
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Limiting Consumption of Carbohydrates:
Follow a low-carb diet that helps to maintain the insulin level. Intake of fish, meat, and vegetables that grow above the ground and reduce sugar and starchy foods helps with PCOD.
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Regular Physical Activity:
People with PCOD should engage in physical activities as it helps them maintain proper blood sugar levels and healthy weight.
Conclusion
PCOD is a condition where immature eggs produced by the ovaries form a mass or cysts. It results in irregular periods, high blood pressure, increased weight, and the inability to get pregnant. Women with PCOD will have an increase in a male hormone called androgen, which is responsible for excessive hair growth and baldness. Treat PCOD by regulating weight and blood sugar levels and reducing the level of androgen through various lifestyle changes, a healthy diet, and regular physical activity.
