How PCOD Affects Mental Health and How to Cope?

PCOD, or Polycystic Ovarian Disorder, is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders prevalent amongst women of reproductive age. PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) is a medical condition in women, where the ovaries produce multiple immature eggs which, over time, become cysts on the ovaries. We sometimes don’t pay attention to the psychological effects that PCOD has on women, but they are evident. In this blog, let’s understand how PCOD impacts your mental health and address the query: what is pcod problem in females? about PCOD and some means of protecting mental health among women who suffer this disease.

What is the PCOD problem in females?

To start with the mental health impacts assessment, it is essential to know, “What is the PCOD problem in females?” PCOS is a condition that takes place when a woman’s ovaries secrete more androgens, the male hormones, than a normal female should. From this imbalance, the above-listed symptoms can include abnormal menstrual patterns, acne formation, excessive hair growth, and, in extreme cases, an inability to conceive.

PCOS can also cause anxiety, depression and a negative body image. Some symptoms such as infertility, obesity and unwanted hair growth can lead to social stigma.

What is the Difference Between PCOS and PCOD?

It is imperative to make a distinction between PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, and PCOD, or Polycystic Ovarian Disease. Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) is a condition characterised by the presence of multiple small fluid-filled sacs (cysts) on the ovaries. These cysts are typically harmless and do not necessarily cause any symptoms or fertility issues. PCOD is often considered a milder form of PCOS, and women with PCOD may or may not experience hormonal imbalances or menstrual irregularities. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a more complex and multifaceted condition that involves hormonal imbalances, ovulatory dysfunction, and metabolic disturbances.

Also Read : Causes of PCOD & PCOS in Women

How PCOD Affects Mental Health

1. Depression and Anxiety: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can cause mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and eating disorders.This is because female individuals with PCOD undergo certain bodily changes that make them moody, have low self-esteem, and feel anxious. Some of these features include excessive weight, skin breakouts, hair loss, and infertility, which are unpleasant and affect a woman’s image.
2. Stress Due to Infertility: This is especially because many women with PCOD do not ovulate regularly or at all (a condition known as anovulation). The point is that the majority of women consider it their right and a primary goal to give birth, and thus the inability to conceive can only become a source of constant stress. The feeling of pressure of seeking fertility, and the lack of surety of fertility treatments, also increases the anxiety, causing individuals to have severe mental issues.
3. Social Psychological effect: Some symptoms of PCOD, like hirsutism and acne, would make her anxious to be around people and lead to anxiety and depression. These symptoms attract stigma, and this makes women feel embarrassed or ashamed, or they feel lonely, and this may make it hard for them to maintain a positive attitude to life.

How to Recover a PCOD Problem?

While there is no cure for PCOD, it can be effectively managed with the right treatment and lifestyle changes. 

• Bold: Lifestyle Changes: Managing insulin levels properly through exercise or a proper diet plan would have negative impacts on weight and acne. Yoga and meditation are also great ways of managing stress, and anything that encourages healthy mental functioning is recommended.
• Bold: Medication: 

To regulate your periods, your doctor might recommend:

Combination birth control pills

Progestin therapy

Insulin sensitizers

• Bold: Therapy: Psychotherapy can help people with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) manage their symptoms and improve their mental health. It can also help people with PCOS develop a more positive body image and feel more empowered. 
•   Bold: Support Systems: This reveals that a close-knit community, either offline or online, can assist women in overcoming the impact of living with PCOD. 

Also Read : Everything about PCOD & PCOS Treatment

Managing Mental Health in PCOD

Mental health also plays an important role in PCOD and therefore needs proper management. The effects that PCOD has on a woman’s mental health are extensive and numerous, but that is not to say that a woman cannot take back the control that the disorder threatens to take from her.

• Self-awareness and Stress-Reducing Skills: Mindfulness, meditation, and relaxation techniques play an important role in decreasing stress and enhancing the quality of mental health. 
• Regular Exercise: Exercise has always been known to improve the mood of an individual. It aids in the production of the body’s natural mood booster endorphins, and it can even help to maintain proper hormone levels. Physical exercise, such as walking, swimming, and performing yoga, would make ways of dealing with anxiety and emotions.

Also Read : Best Exercises For Treating PCOS

•  Diet and Nutrition: Dietary patterns are important to health and well-being, including mental health. PCOD-affected groups should avoid processed foods and sugar while including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins in their diet. Necessary nutrients that are acquired through certain types of food include those foods that are packed with omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants; food affects the mood and behavior, and that is why mental health is important.

Also Read : Everything about PCOS & PCOD Diet

• Seeking Professional Help: In case you are having a hard time dealing with the emotional burden of PCOD, you should consult a professional. You can consult a healthcare provider for direction on how to manage PCOD symptoms or issues with mental health, if any. Antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications may be especially important for treating anxiety, depression, or stress.

The Role of Emotional Support

PCOD-affected women must seek close support from families, friends, and doctors, as this goes a long way in improving mental health status. Promoting an understanding of the symptoms and difficulties of living with PCOD may lessen the perceived loneliness a woman with the condition may experience.

Such support systems also help women to seek any issues concerning mental health to be handled. Sometimes, people suffer from anxiety related to fertility or concerns regarding their self-esteem as a result of physical manifestations of PCOD; likewise, opening up about such feelings can help shift the mental load regarding PCOD back to the healthcare professionals.

How to Cope with the Psychological Effects of PCOD?

Coping with the psychological effects of PCOD is essential for maintaining overall health. Some strategies include:

1. Bold: Journaling: Writing down thoughts and emotions can help women process feelings of frustration, sadness, or anger related to PCOD.
2. Bold: Goal Setting: Setting realistic goals for managing PCOD can help women feel a sense of accomplishment and reduce feelings of helplessness.
3. Bold: Social Interaction: Engaging with others, whether through support groups or social activities, can combat the isolation often experienced by women with PCOD.
4. Bold: Self-Care: Taking time for self-care activities, such as indulging in hobbies, reading, or simply relaxing, is vital for reducing stress and improving emotional well-being.

PCOS is a disease that impacts a woman’s health, most especially her psychological health. Managing mental health in PCOD can also play an important role in the treatment not only in the body syndrome but also for the prevention of emotional disorders.

For those struggling with PCOD, it’s important to remember that you are not alone, and there are numerous resources and strategies available to help you manage both the physical and emotional effects of this condition. Consult a gynecologist today!