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I have been seeing increasing number of young women suffering from PCOD in my practice, It is a disease which can be attributed to today’s lifestyle (80%) largely associated with High stress, erratic eating, nutritional deficiencies and toxic metal load and to Genetic influence ( 20%)

It is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age world-wide.

 

I have been seeing increasing number of young women suffering from PCOD in my practice, It is a disease which can be attributed to today’s lifestyle (80%) largely associated with High stress, erratic eating, nutritional deficiencies and toxic metal load and to Genetic influence ( 20%)

It  is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age world-wide.

it accounts of 85%of women with androgen excess and hirsutism. Stress and poor diet are important contributory factors to PCOD. when stressed too much prolactin released, this may affect the ability of the ovaries to produce the right balance of hormones.

Two of the following three criteria confirm the diagnosis:

Irregular or absence of menstruation
Excess androgen production
Polycystic ovary on Ultrasound
Signs and Symptoms:

Obesity

irregular or absent menses

Alopecia

Hirsutism

Acanthosis Nigricans

Depression irritability

Acne

Infertility affects 75%of women who are obese with PCOD
Mostly women with PCOD gain weight around the waist as opposed to overall weight gain
Most women with PCOD have elevated Insulin levels
DHEA and Testosterone are elevated in women with PCOD
phthalates, Bisphenol-A, cadmium and mercury toxicities have all been related to PCOD
It has been observed that imbalance of HPA axis is part of the etiology of the disease.
Hyperprolactinemia is present in 25%of women with PCOD which contributes to high estrogen levels.
Hypothyroidism may be a cause of PCOD as 27% women with PCOD had elevated Thyroid antibodies.
women with PCOD are at higher risk of the following :

Diabetes

Heart Disease

Hypertension

Infertility

Hormonally related cancers such as ovarian, breast,

Obesity

Following to be done to help:

Increase exercise
Eat real food , avoid all processed ,frozen food with artificial preservatives.
Reduce sugar intake.
Avoid plastics, canned food, Aluminum and other non stick frying pans.
Take supplements to cover up nutritional deficiencies.
Balance hormones by taking Bio Identical progesterone.
Reduce stress, practice, Yoga, Meditation etc.
Dr Kalpana Gupta Shekhawat

Functional Medicine Consultant

BHRT consultant