PCOD Treatment: 5 Usual Approaches Doctors May Recommend

Polycystic ovary disorder (PCOD) is a hormonal condition that impacts women in their childbearing age. It leads to irregular menstrual cycles, acne, abnormal hair growth and infertility. Today, one in every ten women across the world has this disorder [1]. That's why it is prudent to have a basic understanding of the condition and PCOD treatment. It will help you take action if you or a dear one gets diagnosed with PCOD. Read on to learn about PCOD problem treatment in detail as the blog sheds light on PCOD problem treatment medicine, natural treatment of PCOD, and more.

Lifestyle changes often recommended for PCOD treatment

Often, PCOD treatment doesn't require you to consume medications; doctors prescribe simple lifestyle modifications like the following for effective weight management and to ease your PCOD symptoms:

• PCOD diet: Doctors may ask you to reduce your carbs and sugar intake and take more foods rich in fibre and protein
• Regular workout: Doctors often recommend walking for 30 minutes or doing mild gym exercise as part of PCOD treatment

Remember, with a PCOD problem; the solution is not permanent. However, by adhering to the lifestyle modification guidelines set by your gynaecologist, you can effectively reduce your PCOD symptoms.

PCOD diet: Nutritional therapy for PCOD

As part of PCOD treatment, following a nutritious diet with low fat and carbs is a must. Doctors may ask you to include the following in your PCOD diet:

• High-fibre foods
• Natural foods such as organic fruits and vegetables
• Cauliflower and broccoli
• Leafy greens such as kale and spinach
• Legumes and nuts
• Low-fat dairy products
• Whole grain
• Fish

Common medications for PCOD treatment

In chronic cases, mere lifestyle modifications don't work for PCOD treatment, so doctors may prescribe certain drugs to make suitable changes to your menstrual cycle. Note that PCOD treatment with medication depends on the objective of the treatment, i.e. whether you want to conceive or you would like to regulate your menstrual cycle.

Here are approaches doctors usually take for PCOD treatment with medications:

• Hormonal birth control pills: They help you regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce the production of male sex hormones such as androgens. Thus, they also reduce the formation of acne and the probability of excess hair growth
• Medications to regulate insulin: As part of PCOD treatment, doctors may recommend medications that regulate insulin. If your insulin level becomes normal, it will significantly improve your menstrual cycles
• Progestin therapy: If your aim is to prevent pregnancy while managing PCOD symptoms, doctors may recommend medications with progestin for the short term. Note that it may be taken as pills or injections
• Medications to trigger ovulation: If you aim to conceive and PCOD is becoming a bottleneck, doctors may prescribe medications that induce ovulation or the release of an egg 

PCOD treatment beyond medication: Natural remedies for PCOD

Though doctors may prescribe certain medications to treat your PCOD symptoms, they are just a part of PCOD treatment. To make things work towards your favour, it is also important to implement effective changes in diet and lifestyle as per your doctor’s suggestion. Here’s a look at the natural remedies doctors may ask you to opt for:

Apart from these, doctors may also advise these for PCOD treatment:

• Opt for effective weight management
• Take probiotics
• Avoid or limit endocrine disruptors, usually found in certain soups and canned foods
• Get sufficient sleep
• Perform moderate exercise without going overboard
• Lower your stress level

Fertility treatment options for PCOD

If the objective of PCOD treatment is to fight infertility symptoms and help you get pregnant, doctors may recommend the following ways:

• Taking medications to induce ovulation: PCOS may hinder natural ovulation. Under such situations, doctors may prescribe certain medications to boost the process
• In-vitro fertilisation (IVF): In cases where medications don't induce ovulation, fertilisation is made artificially in a lab by collecting your egg and your partner's sperm. After that, doctors implant the fertilised egg into your uterus
• Surgery: In such surgeries, surgeons remove the tissue that secrets androgen hormones from your ovaries. However, with modern treatment facilities such as IVF available, doctors today rarely recommend this procedure

Remember that the best treatment for PCOD depends on your symptoms and treatment objectives. But, for effective PCOD treatment, it is important to know about PCOD causes and symptoms and foods to avoid for PCOD. 

For all your queries related to PCOD treatment and other women's health issues, you can now book a gynaecologist consultation on Bajaj Finserv Health. Get all your doubts resolved within minutes and start regulating PCOD symptoms effectively. For a personalised PCOD treatment plan, book an online appointment right away!