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Last Updated:
Oct 14th, 2008 - 21:45:30
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Question
I have been suffering from pcod for the last seven to eight years but I got diagnosed only last year. I have taken homeopathic medicine and have had many treatments but received no help.
I got my period at the age 11 and before my periods I was very slim, but after menses I gained weight, and my height also stopped.
On the first day of my menses I have severe pain for 5 to 6 hours and before that I also vomit. I always have a phobia about my menses. I usually stay at home on the first day of menses. I always have foul breath amd have regular leukoria. I get clots also. Now I have lumps on my left arm which are very painful. I am gaining weight day by day in my tummy, buttocks, breast size also increases. I also have hair growth on my face, and am very lethargic. I'm always tired and sometimes have backpain. Nowadays I have periods for only one day, with clots. Now my weight is 65kg and height is 5.3 inches. I am 23 years old.
I am realy depressed with this pcod. Can you tell me if I will have a problem conceiving?
I am single. Please suggest some measures to help me control my problems. Will I be able to get rid of them?
Nimrat
Answer
Dear Nimrat:
It seems that there are quite a few possibilities to explain your symptoms. Polycystic ovarian disease
(PCOD) can definitely be one of them. However, I would want to think of other things that may be contributing to your symptoms.
First, I would want to know about your thyroid and your adrenal glands. The thyroid has much to do with irregular periods, fatigue, heavy periods or light flow, weight gain, etc. The adrenal glands can go up or down just like the thyroid or can function poorly causing some of your symptoms. One of the classic blood tests is the DHEA level to check out the adrenal glands. Sometimes the cause is actually stemming from the pituitary gland in the brain. The pituitary is a master control center over many of the hormone functions in the body.
The place to start is to find a certified natural family planning teacher who will teach you how to chart your menstrual cycles and the biological signs that go with it. Your charts provide invaluable information about how your body is working. Then a doctor can review the chart with you, do a thorough history and physical, and then order appropriate tests at specific times in your cycle. Most of the tests are meaningful only when done a certain times of the cycle because the blood levels change according to the time of the cycle. One can tell if you do have polycystic ovary disease or syndrome or have other contributing disease processes.
Certain medications and surgical procedures are indicated for PCOS. For instance, many women have low progesterone in the second part of the cycle and they take it for certain days based on their charts. Some women will also benefit from one of two types of diabetes medications which, yes, helps their cycles and any infertility they may suffer from the PCOS. Sometimes surgery is indicated such as an ovarian wedge resection. A small part of the ovaries are taken out, like a wedge out of an orange. The ovaries function better and menstrual cycles are improved.
The pain you feel with menstrual flow may be endometriosis which does require surgery. Some gynecologists and surgeons are trained in a special laser surgery (through the belly button) where the smallest of endometrial pieces are vaporized as well as the large ones. Endometriosis is a factor in infertility and so getting it corrected will help any future fertility.
This is just a start and I hope it helps. CANFP can help you find a certified NFP teacher to start. Then they can help you find a doctor who does specialize in this area. There is treatment and it can help.
Sincerely, Gretchen V. Marsh, D.O.
Dr. Marsh is a family practioner in Yuba City, CA where she lives with her husband and 5 boys.
She is a Creighton model certified Medical Consultant and a certified Fertility Care Practioner.
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