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Polycystic ovarian disease or syndrome is the most common reproductive endocrine disease causing enlarged ovaries with small cysts, affecting 1 out of 10 women.
PCOD is a condition in which the pituitary secretes the high levels of Luteinizing hormone which disrupts the menstrual cycle & affects the maturation of the ovary & follicles resulting in failure of ovulation & infertility. Many of these immature follicles do not dissolve remaining in the ovary as fluid filled sacs or cysts. Very often the pancreas secretes abnormally high levels of insulin which combined with the abnormal levels of Luteinizing hormone results in the excessive production of male sex hormone called testosterone by ovaries. This disrupts the ovulation process resulting in infertility & also manifests with the physical symptoms of acne & Hirsutism.
Signs & symptoms of PCOD
- Irregular periods
- Acne
- Hirsutism: abnormal hair growth on face, chest, back or other parts of the body.
- Obesity
- Difficulty in conceiving
- Increased levels of insulin
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol level
- Hair thinning
Treatment
As there is no cure for PCOD, treatment is concentrated at providing the symptomatic relief. This could be in the form of:
- Hormonal birth control pills which regulate the menstrual cycle & decrease testosterone levels in the body.
- Anti-angiogenic medications which reduces the acne & Hirsutism.
- Diabetic medications such as metformin which toggles the insulin resistance & has an effect on the menstrual cycle.
Managing abnormal hair with PCOD
Maximum number of females suffers from abnormal or excessive hair growth without knowing or realizing that it could be due to polycystic ovary disease. The ignominious or embarrassing appearance is the result of increased testosterone levels in patients with PCOD.
The excessive hair growth due to PCOD can be best treated via use of LASER. People also opt for other treatments like waxing & threading, however, such treatments can cause harm to your skin in the long run. Use of LASER causes reduction in hair growth, whereas threading & waxing lead to ingrown & thicker hair.
With the use of LASER, the hair becomes inconspicuous in the treated areas. Also the effects are long-standing.
Managing Acne with PCOD
The excessive levels of male hormones lead to oily skin that further causes acne breakouts. Sticking to a healthy diet is of vital importance in order to balance the hormones & limit the excessive production of androgen.
Due to changes in the testosterone levels, sebaceous glands become over active & secrete excess oil. Acne are more prevalent in lower parts of face, chin, cheeks etc. Also, premenstrual exacerbation is a common complaint in females with PCOD.
In patients with PCOD, smoking acts as an aggravating factor. Hence, In order to manage acne due to PCOD, we advise our patients to quit smoking.
At times, it could be difficult to rule out the possible causative factor behind the acne. Hence, when acne does not subside easily via use of conventional treatment, acne associated with irregular periods, acne breakouts just before your periodsꟷ indicate towards an underlying hormonal imbalance.
Are you suffering from Hirsutism & acne problems?
Schedule an appointment at Dr. Sachdeva’s Dental Institute to know more about the available treatment options.
