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What are the risks of PCOD ?


One of the commonest questions which patients ask me is - What is polycystic ovariandisease (or PCO, also known as PCOD and PCOS? ) And what are its risks ?
This has now become a very common diagnosis, and is made by gynecologists, dietitians, skin specialists and GPs as well. The diagnosis is made typically for young girls, who are worried because they irregular periods; are a little bit overweight; or have acne or some oily skin. Doctors order a panel of expensive blood tests ( which measure hormones levels such as FSH, LH, DHEA, testosterone and AMH), and these often turn out to be abnormal in these girls.
The problem is that once they get this diagnostic label , they go to Dr Google , which scares them about the increased risk of PCOD patients being infertile;getting endometrial cancer; and developing diabetes.
Please remember that PCOD is a common problem, and the good news is that it's eminently treatable, so you don't need to start panicking. Often all you need are simple lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, to correct your hormonal imbalance.
And in any case, there are lots of simple treatment options to treat this if needed , so you don't need to lose any sleep over it !
Need help in getting pregnant ? Please send me your medical details by filling in the form at www.drmalpani.com/free-second-opinion so that I can guide you !
Authored by : Dr Aniruddha Malpani, MD and reviewed by Dr Anjali Malpani.