Drinking probiotics and avoiding stress: 5 habits that can reduce the incidence of PCOD in women

PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) is a condition that affects female reproductive health due to hormonal imbalance. This hormonal imbalance affects the health of ovaries. While a healthy menstrual cycle involves the release of an egg from the ovaries each month, hormonal imbalance might cause the egg to not grow properly or may not be released at the proper time during ovulation.

Dr. Tanveer Aujla, Senior Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Noida says, “Women produce some amount of androgens, which are commonly referred to a male hormones. Women with PCOD tend to produce more than the normal levels of androgen which hinders the ovaries from producing eggs throughout each menstrual cycle.”

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas. It helps cells to use sugar for energy. Insulin resistance occurs when the body's cells do not react to insulin as they should, resulting in increased blood insulin levels. Increased levels of insulin would result in your body producing too much of the male hormone androgen affecting the ovulation process.

In reaction to an infection or injury, white blood cells produce different chemicals. This response to an injury or infection is called low-grade inflammation. According to research, polycystic ovaries in persons with PCOS create androgens as a result of a form of persistent, low-grade inflammation.

According to research, PCOS may be caused by specific genes. PCOS may run in families, which may increase your risk of getting it.

Now that we have understood the possible causes of PCOD, let’s look at ways in which we can manage or reduce the chances of getting PCOD.

Your diet can has a great impact on your overall physical and mental well-being. Try not to get influenced by fad diets. Look at maintaining a healthy and balanced diet. Also, having a sustainable healthy diet goes a long way in helping you maintain a healthy weight over a period of time.

Foods to include: Try to include whole grains like brown rice, whole-wheat bread and pasta. It’s great to include fibrous and iron rich vegetables like spinach,peas and beans. Also including complex carbohydrates and lean proteins make up the ideal PCOS diet.

According to Dr. Aujla, Sugar and simple carbs should be avoided in order to maintain low insulin levels and normalise blood sugar levels. This can entail keeping away from items like, white pasta, white bread, cereal, cookies, chips, soda and fast food.

An essential part of maintaining a healthy weight is exercise. Blood sugar levels and insulin levels can be lowered with regular exercise. Exercise also has a great impact on enhancing mood, assists in regulating sleep patterns, and is good for the heart. It's not necessary to go to the gym to have a good workout. Picking up a sport or an activity that is fun will motivate you to be consistent at maintaining a healthy weight.

“The trillions of bacteria that reside in the intestines largely impact our health. Alterations in the microbiome, or the ecosystem in the gut, have now been connected by researchers to a wide range of illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. According to a study, these changes may even have an impact on sex hormones like androgens and oestrogen. This finding raises the possibility that the microbiome may contribute to the development of PCOS. Probiotic supplementation can help maintain good gut health and thus help balance hormone levels. Kindly consult your doctor before taking any prebiotics or probiotics,” says Dr. Aujla.

Forming sustainable habits and lifestyle changes will go a long way in preventing PCOD and leading a healthy life.