Q: I have been detected with polycystic ovaries (PCOD). My height is 5 feet 3 inches and I weigh 81 kg. My doctor has advised me to take Glyciphage 500 three times a day, and I am also taking a hormonal pill - Cerazete. This medication is on since past four months (at that time I weighed around 84 kg). However, I have taken Cerazete only for a month, prior to which I was taking Krrimson 35. I do not suffer from diabetes or any thyroid problem. How will these medicines help me? Do they have any side effects? Is there any medicine that can help me cut down my weight?

A:One of the major problems in PCOD is insulin resistance i.e. the body produces enough insulin but cannot use it. This does not necessarily result in the development of diabetes. However, Glyciphage (metformin) is the rational medicine since it helps the body to use insulin. Female patients who do not wish to conceive can take an oral hormonal contraceptive (OC) pill to regulate menstrual cycle, which is often irregular in PCOD. If the menstrual cycle is regular, OC should be avoided since it tends to increase weight and has other side effects.