PCOD vs PCOS: Difference Between PCOD and PCOS
PCOD or PCOS is a condition that affects women’s ovaries, the reproductive organs that produce progesterone and estrogen hormones that help in regulating the menstrual cycle and also produce small amount of hormones inhibin, relaxin, and male hormones called androgens and such condition one should always consult a best gynecologist in Navi Mumbai.
Almost 10% of women in the world is suffering from PCOD. In compare to PCOD women with PCOS produce higher-than-normal amounts of male hormones. This hormone imbalance causes them to skip menstrual periods and makes it harder for them to get pregnant.
Besides unpredictable hormonal behavior, this condition can trigger:
- Diabetes
- Infertility
- Acne
- Excessive hair growth
It’s a fairly common disorder, but one with no exact cure.
What is PCOD?
PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) is a medical condition in which the woman ovaries produce immature or partially mature eggs in large numbers and over the time these become cysts in ovaries. Due to this ovary become large and secrete large number of male hormones (androgens) causing infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, hair loss and abnormal weight gain. PCOD can be controlled by diet and lifestyle modifications.
What is PCOS ?
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a metabolic disorder in which the woman affected by hormonal imbalance in their reproductive years (between ages 12 and 51). Due to increase level of male hormones females might skip menstrual periods, have irregular ovulation making it hard to get pregnant, get abnormal hair growth on the body and face simultaneously it can lead to heart disease and diabetes in long term. PCOS is a serious medical condition, and it requires proper medical attention or surgical treatment.
Common Signs/Symptoms of PCOS and PCOD:
Some females start seeing symptoms around the time of their first period, some women only discover when they have gained a lot of weight or trouble getting pregnant. The most common signs and symptoms of PCOD Problem or PCOS in females are:
- Irregular menstruation (Oligomenorrhea)
- Skipped or absence of menstruation (Amenorrhea)
- Heavy menstrual bleeding (Menorrhagia)
- Excessive Hair growth (face, body – including on back, belly, and chest)
- Acne (face, chest, and upper back)
- Weight gain
- Hair loss (hair on the scalp gets thinner and fall out)
- Skin darkening (Neck, in the groin, and under the breasts)
Difference Between PCOS and PCOD:
Some females might be confused whether PCOD and PCOS are the same or different from each other. Both the medical conditions are associated with ovaries and hormonal imbalance in women during their reproductive age (between 12 and 51 years) and depicts the same symptoms. Here are differences between PCOD and PCOS every female should know:
| PCOD | PCOS |
| PCOD is a common disorder, 10% of world women population affected by it. | PCOS is a serious medical condition around 0.2% to 2.5% of world women population affected by it. |
| PCOD is a condition in which ovaries produce many immature or partially mature eggs, this happens due to poor lifestyle, obesity, stress and hormonal imbalance. | PCOS is a metabolic disorder and more severe form of PCOD can lead to anovulation where ovaries stop releasing eggs. |
| PCOD doesn’t affect fertility in women, in this condition woman still can ovulate and become pregnant with little help, following medication can complete pregnancy. | PCOS seriously affects fertility in women. Due to PCOS woman cannot ovulate regularly, making them hard to get pregnant. If become pregnant, there is a risk of miscarriage, premature birth or complications in their pregnancy. |
| PCOD doesn’t have any serious complications. | PCOS have serious complications such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high-blood pressure and endometrial cancer in later stage. |
What is the best possible treatment for PCOD Problem / PCOS?
PCOD / PCOS treatment focuses on managing your individual problems, such as irregular periods, obesity, infertility, acne, or hirsutism. Treatment usually starts with lifestyle changes like weight loss, diet, and exercise. Losing just 5 to 10 percent of your body weight can help regulate your menstrual cycle.
Treatment will depend on the symptoms like hair growth, acne and metabolic disorders. This includes:
Regulate the menstrual cycle by medication to treat hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance.
Ovulation induction (the quality and quantity of the ovulation) through oral medicines and injections.
Infertility treatment through fertility drugs.
Lowering excessive hair growth.
Skin treatments for acne and pigmentation.
A laparoscopic procedure – ovarian drilling to destroy androgen-producing tissue in the ovaries, in case of PCOS patients not responded to hormonal treatment
Any diet that helps you lose weight can help your condition. However, some diets may have advantages over others. Weight loss can also improve cholesterol levels, lower insulin, and reduce heart disease and diabetes risks.
20 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise at least five days a week can help women to lose weight. Losing weight with exercise also improves ovulation and insulin levels.
The best treatment for PCOD and PCOS will consist of on-time diagnosis and the appropriate treatment modalities can help to overcome the symptoms. Maintaining healthy lifestyle is equally important to treat hormonal imbalance and conditions related.
Kindly consult if skipped periods, or you have other PCOD / PCOS symptoms like hair growth on your face or body / if you’ve been trying to get pregnant for 12 months or more without success.
How To Cure PCOD Problem Permanently?
PCOD is not a serious problem, but there is no complete cure. Maintaining healthy weight, following complex corbohydrate diet, doing regular exercise and being active will be helpful in controlling PCOD problem and its underlying symptoms. Consulting periodically with gynaecologist in Juinagar at Mangal Prabhu Hospital and primary care doctor is also advisable for females to have healthy life in the future.