PCOS or PCOD
Dr Amita Shah has more than 25 years of experience in the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. She has been the head of department at Columbia Asia Hospital, Gurgaon for the last 12 years and now heads the department of obstetrics and gynaecology at Apollo Cradle Hospital, Sector-14 and Miracles Mediclinic, Sector-56, Gurgaon.
Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) are one and the same thing. In this condition the female body, in the child bearing age of 15 – 45 years has a hormonal imbalance. The female ovaries produce excess amount of male hormone called androgens which causes the hormonal imbalance. This results in irregular menstrual cycle and multiple small cysts are formed in the ovaries. Body weight increases and facial hair come up. In the long run PCOD can cause Diabetes and Heart Disease. PCOD is mostly diagnosed when the female is unable to conceive even after trying for several years after the marriage.
An ultrasound examination can reveal the presence of multiple cysts inside the ovaries. The blood tests for hormonal profile indicates the imbalance in their levels confirming the presence of this disease. PCOD is fairly common and its incidence is on the rise in the women during the reproductive age. This is a genetic condition and runs into families but is also triggered by insulin resistance which in turn is caused by obesity. Obesity is caused by improper diet and lack of physical activity. All these conditions can lead to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Symptoms and Treatment
Common symptoms of PCOD are irregular periods, heavy bleeding during the periods, facial and body hair growth, acne, weight gain, baldness, dark skin patches and headaches. If you suffer from any or a combination of these symptoms then you should see a gynaecologist immediately to get timely help.
The best treatment for PCOD lies not in medicines but in lifestyle modification. Global Women’s Clinic has developed a diet which not only helps in the treatment of PCOD but also other conditions like obesity, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and heart disease. In this diet you take all the vegetables available in the market, some seasonal fruits, nuts and seeds. After thoroughly washing the vegetables and the fruits you chop them fine. Add the nuts and the seeds to this and eat all through the day in the raw form. Once you start on this diet your intake of cooked food will reduce significantly and the benefits of the diet would start showing in terms of higher levels of energy. This would lead you towards regular exercise and increased physical activity. You would start walking more and doing more of household chores. This would reduce the body weight and the other symptoms of PCOS would also diminish.
If the lifestyle modification does not help, then medicines would be given by Dr Amita Shah. The surgical option of ovarian drilling would be the last option for females who are unable to conceive despite successfully doing all the above things.
Cost of the Treatment
Dr Amita Shah’s Global Women’s Clinic provides holistic treatment for PCOD including the services of Gynaecologists, Dieticians and Physical Therapists.
Dr Amita Shah has been a key speaker on various forums about the prevention and treatment of PCOS. She and her team has huge experience in the treatment of all kinds of female hormonal disorders specially PCOD. The costs associated with the treatment of PCOD are mostly in the realm of correct diagnosis. After consultation with the doctor you may be required to do an ultrasound scan and some blood tests. These things would cost you Rs. 8000 – 15000. Once the test results are available and you are diagnosed with PCOD then the treatment begins. Since the treatment lies mostly in diet and exercise, there is hardly any cost. Medicines are rarely used and these medicines are not costly. Average cost per month would be around Rs. 100 – 250. Very few females would require ovarian drilling which would cost in the range of Rs. 45000 – 60000.
If PCOD is not treated in time then the cost for treatments like IVF, Diabetes or Heart Disease can run into Lacs of Rupees causing huge financial and physical stress for the patient and the family. The moment you see any of the above mentioned symptoms of PCOD you should consult a gynaecologist. The treatment for this condition may last for 8 – 10 months but the results at the end of it would lead to a much better and healthier person.
