Poly cystic Ovarian Disorder (PCOD) is a very common cause of infertility. It is a disorder of the ovaries that leads to irregular menstrual cycles. These patients require regular cyclical treatment each month to help them get their regular menstrual cycle. The unfortunate part is that most of these patients aren’t really aware of all the details of this disease and the manner in which it has to be managed.
The fear that they are infertile, compounds their mental stress. There are some unscrupulous doctors that try to cash-in on this ignorance; they tell the patient that she will have to come in for hormone injections every month. One of the main reasons PCOD patients suffer, is more because of their ignorance and less because of their hormonal imbalance.
Some basic principles
At our clinic we ensure that the patients are well-informed about this particular disease, what it implies and the best way to manage it. Listed here are some basic principles that can help these patients self manage this disease. This can considerably reduce the stress of having to constantly visit the doctor for different treatments:
- The first thing the patient needs to do is understand what PCOD is, and what its consequences are
- Hormonal imbalance and irregular periods are an inseparable part of PCOD
- Its best that patients schedule the monthly dose of progesterone hormone on their own; this will help them get regular periods
- This is important as a missed period can create false hope in the patient and they are prompted to undergo a pregnancy test
- If they fail the pregnancy test, it can cause stress and it will undoubtedly lead to a doctor visit
In such cases, it’s best to be proactive with managing the disease, rather than being reactive. In my opinion, its best that the woman does a pregnancy test on the first of every month. In case the test comes back negative, she should start off on her regular dose of progesterone medication which will induce periods.
About Progesterone
Progesterone is medroxyprogesterone acetate’ it’s available in the market under different brand names such as Regesterone, Provera and Delvry. The patient is required to take 5 mg tablets twice a day for 5 days. She will get a 'withdrawal bleeding' for 2-7 days after the last tablet intake.
Many patients that visit our clinic for this monthly treatment; they feel that if they manage this themselves, they might get addicted to it. It is important for patients to understand that this treatment is essential and it’s safe. Just as diabetics needs regular antidiabetic medication to maintain their sugar levels at normal levels, PCOD patients need hormonal support.
These medications are completely safe and there are no harmful effects, even if you happen to accidentally take them during pregnancy. I case the patient wants to have kids, this treatment will then be supplemented by ovulation induction therapy.
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