Through several studies conducted, it is found that there not one but multiple factors that contribute to occurrence of PCOD in females.
What is PCOD?
- PCOD stands for Polycystic Ovarian Disease.
- It is a hormonal disorder in females falling under reproductive age group.
- It affects menstrual cycle in females, thereby having an impact on the reproductive health and fertility as well.
- Since it is a hormonal disorder, it also affects the mental health adversely and causes issues in the quality of life of females suffering from PCOD.
What physiological changes occur that lead to PCOD?
- Ovaries are an important part of reproductive system in females, which releases hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones play a crucial role in reproductive development and menstrual cycles.
- PCOD condition arises when the ovaries start producing numerous immature eggs. These immature eggs develop into cysts with time.
- Occurrence of cysts in ovaries leads to dysfunctional ovaries, which don’t produce female hormones in normal amounts.
- Dysfunctional ovaries produce androgens (male hormones).
- Due to presence of cysts, ovaries become enlarged.
- Ovaries fail to release eggs regularly.
Etiology of PCOD- Examining the causes
Through several studies conducted, it is found that there not one but multiple factors that contribute to occurrence of PCOD in females.
In most cases, multiple factors are interacting and working synergistically to cause PCOD.
The causative factors of PCOD can broadly be categorized into:
- Related to Genetics
- Lifestyle related
Most of the factors that fall under these categories are interlinked and affect each other.
Some of the factors that cause PCOD are as follows:
- Stress is the leading cause of PCOD in women after puberty. Stress affects the circadian rhythm of the body and also alters the hormonal balance.
- Genetic makeup inherited from mother, which predisposes the daughter to obesity, diabetes, and hypertension.
- Female having genetic predisposition to insulin resistance.
- Insulin resistance leads to Hyperinsulinemia, which increases the production of androgens.
- Lack of physical activity can lead to obesity. Obesity is one of the major causes of PCOD.
- Certain agents that modulate the activity and secretion of hormones – Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) have been related to cause of PCOD.
- High levels of inflammation in the body also act as a causative agent for PCOD. Inflammation can be due to some other genetic condition or diseased condition.
- Unhealthy dietary choices such as consuming too much processed and packaged food, food containing high amounts of salt, sugar, etc. can lead to PCOD and can aggravate the condition. Consuming diet consisting of majorly carbohydrates leads to increase in levels of insulin, which decreases SHBG (a protein that binds to testosterone) levels, resulting in increase in male hormone levels.
Symptoms of PCOD
Certain visible symptoms of PCOD can be identified by the patient, for getting diagnostic tests done as prescribed the gynecologist.
Common symptoms of PCOD are:
- Irregular menstrual cycle is the most common symptom of PCOD. Women who have PCOD don’t get periods regularly due to elevated androgens and lack of ovulation.
- Heavy menstrual bleeding occurs if and when women get their periods, due to accumulation of tissue on uterine wall over months.
- Most women who suffer from PCOD have abnormal hair growth on face, back, stomach and chest. This condition is called Hirsutism. This condition also arises due to elevated level of male hormones.
- Excessive hair fall and male pattern of baldness is visible in most women suffering from PCOD.
- Abdominal weight gain is also common in PCOD. It should be noted that, obesity is mentioned as the cause of PCOD but PCOD in turn leads to weight gain, hence aggravating the condition further.
- Infertility is seen in severe cases of PCOD. It is because of the accumulation of cysts on ovaries.
- Women suffer from skin issues such as acne during PCOD.
Complications related to PCOD
- PCOD is not regarded as a serious condition as it is manageable to an extent through changes in lifestyle, diet and physical activity.
- But, in case the condition aggravates and precautions are not taken, it can lead to some complications such as:
- Infertility- in severe cases of PCOD, infertility can be a complication as ovulation doesn’t take place due to cysts formation in the ovary.
- Risk of Diabetes- insulin resistance for prolonged period of time can lead to Type-2 Diabetes. Obesity also increases the risk of getting Type-2 diabetes in case of PCOD.
- Untreated and prolonged PCOD can increase the risk of Cardiac diseases
- Endometrial Cancer- since one of the major symptom of PCOD is irregular menstruation; it leads to accumulation of tissue on the endometrial lining which thickens beyond normal for a long time, increasing the risk of endometrial cancer in women.
Tests for diagnosing PCOD
Several blood tests can be used to diagnose PCOD. The tests used for diagnosing PCOD check for elevated/suppressed levels of various hormones such as:
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH) levels
- Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) levels
- Serum Prolactin levels
- Testosterone levels
- Insulin levels
Based on the examination done by the gynecologist, he/she will prescribe the test and based on the report, further diagnosis or treatment will follow.
Which diagnostic lab is the best for getting PCOD profile tests done?
- Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is one stop solution for getting all kinds of diagnostic tests and imaging done.
- For Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, patients come first!
- The aim is to provide world’s best and cutting edge technology at the lowest price to its patients.
PCOD Tests at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre (GDIC)
1) Bloom PCOD Profile
This test includes:
- LH test
- FSH test
Market price – Rs 3000
GDIC price after 50% discount –RS 1500 ONLY!
2) GDIC Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) Package
This test includes:
- Blood glucose – fasting
- DHEAS ( Dehydroepiandros sulphate)
- Serum Insulin
- LH test
- FSH test
- Total Testosterone
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)
Market price – Rs 4480
GDIC price after discount –RS 1792 ONLY!
3) Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) Comprehensive Panel
This test includes:
- LH test
- FSH test
- Serum Prolactin examination
- Free and total Testosterone test
Market price – Rs 5200
GDIC price after 50% discount –RS 2600 ONLY!
What is PCOS?
- PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome.
- Just like PCOD, PCOS is also a hormonal disorder in females of reproductive age.
- PCOS is also characterized by ovaries producing abnormal amounts of male hormones (androgens).
- PCOS affects the reproductive system and menstrual cycles in females.
- Hormonal imbalance also has an adverse impact on the mental health of females suffering from PCOS.
What physiological changes occur that lead to PCOS?
- Unlike PCOD where ovaries produce immature eggs, in PCOS endocrine issues become the cause for ovaries to produce androgens in excess amount.
- The androgens are responsible for increase in chances of cystic ovulations.
- The cysts are not expelled in case of PCOS; they start to accumulate inside ovaries.
- PCOS is considered more severe than PCOD.
Etiology of PCOS- Examining the causes
The exact cause of PCOS is not known but there are a number of factors that contribute to the development of PCOS condition in women.
These factors are similar to PCOD, such as:
- The genetic makeup of women can be related to occurrence of PCOS.
- Environmental factors can also lead to development of PCOS.
- Diet plays an important role here. Consumption of diet which has predominantly carbohydrates and lesser proteins and fibers, can lead to-
- Increase in insulin levels.
- Which leads to decrease in SHBG protein (testosterone binds to this protein).
- Consequently it leads to increase in free testosterone (male hormone) in blood.
- Stress can also contribute to PCOS development.
- Sedentary lifestyle with no physical activity can cause and aggravate PCOS condition.
Symptoms of PCOS
Symptoms of PCOS and PCOD are quite similar with varying degree of severity. PCOS is considered more severe. It is for the doctor to diagnose whether the patient is suffering from PCOD or PCOS.
Following are some of the symptoms of PCOS:
- Women suffering from PCOS also experience irregular or less frequent periods or in some cases, no periods at all.
- Since ovulation does not take place, fertility is affected. In cases of PCOS, it is very difficult to get pregnant. Infertility is seen in PCOS patients.
- Excessive hair fall and male pattern of baldness in observed in PCOS patients because of elevated levels of androgens.
- Hirsutism is also observed in PCOS patients.
- Skin problems like excessive oily skin and acne are commonly seen in PCOS patients.
- Hormonal imbalance can affect the mood of the person, causing mental health issues as well.
- Abnormal weight gain.
Complications related to PCOS
Several complications arise due to PCOS such as:
- Infertility due to lack of ovulation
- More risk of development of Endometrial Cancer. It is due to failure of menstruation for long durations, which leads to abnormal thickening of the endometrial wall.
- Cardiovascular diseases can also build up as a result of abnormal weight gain.
- Type-2 diabetes also comes as a complication of PCOS due to Insulin resistance in the body.
Which diagnostic lab is the best for getting PCOS profile tests done?
- Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is the best diagnostic lab for getting all kinds of tests done under one roof.
- For Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, patient’s safety and care come first!
- The aim is to provide top notch technology at the lowest price to its patients.
PCOS Tests at Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre (GDIC)
1) Steroid Panel for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Market price – Rs 3000
GDIC price after 50% discount –RS 1500 ONLY!
2) Steroid Panel for PCOS/CAH Differentiation
Market price – Rs 3000
GDIC price after 50% discount –RS 1500 ONLY!
Why choose Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre over others?
- Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre has NABH (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers) and NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) Accreditations.
- NABH accreditation is the proof of excellent service and care provided to the patients. NABL accreditation is recognition for competency of the laboratories based on some national and international standards.
- Pathology testing is operant 24x7, 365 days.
- Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre have skilled technicians who handle equipment professionally and provide service to patients with utmost care.
- Test reports are 100% accurate, building trust in patients.
- Home sample collection provision is also there. It is free of cost.
- Test report is generated within 24 hours of sample collection.
- Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre offers flat 50% discount on most diagnostic tests.
- Rates of blood tests are reasonably priced.
- With free home sample collection and digitally available reports, Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre bring testing facility to the home of patients.
- Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre is empanelled with various prestigious government and private organistations such as:
ESIC
CGHS NHA
NCDC
NDMC
DGEHS
ECHS
DELHI JAL BOARD
DAK
RAILWAYS
BSES YAMUNA/ RAJDHANI POWER LTD
SANJAY GANDHI HOSPITAL
TATA POWER LTD
BABA SAHEB AMBEDKAR HOSPITAL
BJRM HOSPITAL
ICAR
BHAGWAN MAHAVIR GOVERNMENT HOSPITAL
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
- For more information regarding panels, click here!
- To explore our services, click here!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. Are PCOD and PCOS same?
Though theses two terms, PCOD and PCOS are used interchangeably, but these refer to two different conditions.
PCOD condition arises when the ovaries start producing numerous immature eggs. These immature eggs develop into cysts with time.
PCOS endocrine issues become the cause for ovaries to produce androgens in excess amount. The androgens are responsible for increase in chances of cystic ovulations.
2. What hormones are tested for PCOS?
PCOS blood testing comprises of testosterone examination, DHEA examination, LH: FSH ratio, insulin hormone level examination.
3. What hormones are tested for PCOD?
PCOD blood testing comprises of Serum Prolactin, LH hormone level, FSH hormone level, Testosterone level.
4. What is the cost of PCOD profile test?
The cost of PCOD profile test in market is Rs 4480.
At Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre, it is RS 1792 ONLY!
5. Can women with PCOS get pregnant?
Yes, women with PCOS can get pregnant but it depends on a number of factors such as age, complications, severity of complications, etc. which are examined by Gynecologists.
6. When is the best time to get PCOD test done?
Women who are experiencing visible symptoms of PCOD such as abnormal weight gain, excessive hair fall, acne, mood swings, abnormal body hair etc. should consult their gynecologist for getting tested for PCOD.
7. What is the cost of PCOS profile test?
The cost of PCOS profile test in market price is Rs 3000.
Ganesh Diagnostic and Imaging Centre offers 50% discount. Book PCOS test at RS 1500 ONLY!
