ASK THE DOC
Varied symptoms
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Our panel of doctors offers advice and suggestions in response to queries from readers.
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Keerthi:
I am 20 years old. I have irregular periods, excess facial hair, obesity and persistent acne. I have been diagnosed with polycystic ovaries and a serum testosterone level of 3.2. I am taking ginette 35 (ethinyl estradiol and cryproterone acetate) and finasteride on the doctor's advice. Although the hair on my face is manageably less now, the acne is still there and the weight is not coming down. I read somewhere that aldactone cures both acne and hirsutism. Could I take that instead of finasteride? Will it help?
Dr. Sharda Jain, Senior Consultant and Member, National Commission for Women, New Delhi, replies:
Polycystic ovarian diseases have a wide spectrum of symptoms. You have classical symptoms of PCOD. The treatment prescribed for you is correct. You have to make extra effort to lose weight by dietary control and exercise. Since it is a highly specialised treatment, keep yourself under regular follow up with a competent doctor.
Name withheld:
I am 27. My menstrual cycle is irregular. It comes once in four months or sometimes once in 6 months. I consulted a doctor who said that it would become regular after I got married. What is my problem?
Dr. Sharda Jain replies:
It seems a problem of Polycystic ovarian disease. Please consult a competent gynaecologist without delay.
Name withheld:
My daughter is 17. From May 2004, she has stomach pain on the first day of her menstrual cycle and vomits. But she is alright the next day. Why is this happening?
Dr. Sharda Jain replies:
This is very normal and almost 80-85 per cent of girls have symptoms of primary dysmenorrhea (i.e. pain during and before periods). She requires mild painkillers.
S. Rajendar:
I am 45 and my wife is 35 years old. She underwent a hysterectomy three and a half years ago. After this, she had no problem. But for the last three months, she has been suffering unbearable pain during intercourse. Why is this so? And what is the remedy?
Dr. Sharda Jain replies:
Since she was young, it may be that both ovaries were left behind at the time of hysterectomy. It is possible that ovaries are inflamed or have problem of chocolate cysts. Get in touch with a gynaecologist and get a transvaginal sonography done to find the cause of painful intercourse.
Dharmendar Singh:
I am 35 years old. I was married in December 2000. In 2003, my wife underwent laproscopic surgery and the doctors found that her left tube was blocked. In the last two years, she has undergone 4-5 IUI but in vain. The doctors at Rohtak advise us to try IVF but it is too costly. I underwent semen examination and the results were normal. My wife's tests show that egg formation in both ovaries is normal and occurs between the 10th and 20th day of her cycle. Her HSG, Hormone tests are all normal. What is the problem and what should we do. Is IVF the only way out?
Dr. Sharda Jain replies:
The Laparoscopy done in 2003 did show that left tube is blocked. It is possible that the pathology, which blocked the left tube, may have damaged the right tube function as well. Since five IUI procedures have been done, it is highly advised that she goes for I.V.F.
Readers can send their medical queries to Ask The Doc, Magazine,
The Hindu, Kasturi Buildings,
859-860, Anna Salai,
Chennai - 600 002.
Or e-mail
askthedoc@thehindu.co.in
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