Cycle Thief

Its first symptom is a missed period, or three. But PCOD does more than just mess with your menstruation.

- Anindita Ghosh

When Rita Singh, a 26-year-old schoolteacher, noticed that her periods had become irregular, she went to see a gynaecologist. An ultrasound scan soon confirmed that she was suffering from PCOD (polycystic ovarian disease). Like many of us, Singh had heard about the condition, only she didn’t know what it meant. Her doctor explained that a number of small cysts or benign growths were forming in her ovaries as a result of a hormonal imbalance. This is a fairly common condition in women of Singh’s age, but the verdict is still out on what causes PCOD.

According to Dr Shilpa Ghosh, senior consultant and head of birthing, department of gynaecology and obstetrics, Venkateshwar Hospital, Dwarka, Delhi, “Women of reproductive age experience a series of health disorders, and hormonal imbalances are prominent among them. Very often hormonal disorders lead to diseases such PCOD, which is also called the polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It’s a condition that can affect a woman’s periods, hormones, fertility and appearance, as well as her long-term health and well-being.”

CLUES ARE EVERYWHERE

Polycystic ovarian disease is quite a mouthful and the thought of your ovaries being filled with multiple cysts sounds just a little scary. So how do you know if you are harbouring this hydra-headed secret in your ovaries?