What Is The Difference Between PCOS and PCOD? Are They Same?
Are PCOS and PCOD the same thing? It's a question many women ask. Yes, both are related to women's health, hormones, and fertility. But no, they aren't the same. So let us find out what’s the difference between PCOS and PCOD?
What is PCOD?
Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOD), also known as Polycystic Ovary Disorder, is a condition that affects a woman's ovaries, causing them to enlarge and develop small cysts on the outer edges. The cysts are actually follicles, each one containing an immature egg. The eggs never mature enough to trigger ovulation, leading to a hormonal imbalance.
Some of the key causes are:
- Hormonal Imbalance
- Insulin Resistance
- Lifestyle Factors
- Genetic Factors
What Is PCOS?
PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is not just a variant of PCOD. In fact, it's a more severe disorder that impacts a woman's endocrine system, affecting not only her ovaries but also her metabolic processes. Unlike PCOD, PCOS can have far-reaching effects on a woman's overall health, increasing her risk for conditions such as heart disease and diabetes.
Here are the main causes:
- Insulin Resistance
- Overproduction of Androgens
- Low-grade Inflammation
- Genetics
How Are PCOS and PCOD Different?
Even though PCOS and PCOD both have 'Polycystic Ovary' in their names and affect a woman's reproductive system, they are not interchangeable. They carry significant differences. So,let's dissect these differences one by one:
Causative Factors: While both disorders are triggered by hormonal imbalances, the specifics differ. In PCOS, the body may produce too much insulin, or the insulin that's produced does not work as it should, leading to an overproduction of male hormones. On the other hand, PCOD primarily happens due to an imbalance between male and female sex hormones in the body.
Occurrence: PCOD is generally more common than PCOS and usually affects women between the ages of 15 and 45. PCOS can also occur within this age group but is often diagnosed later, as its symptoms can be more subtle.
Effect on Pregnancy: Both conditions can affect a woman's ability to conceive. However, PCOS is often associated with higher risks, such as miscarriage, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and premature birth. PCOD may also cause fertility issues but is generally less severe.
Severity: PCOS is considered more serious than PCOD because it can lead to several health risks if not managed, including type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, weight-related issues, and uterine cancer.
Treatment Approach: Treatment for PCOS often focuses on managing individual issues, such as fertility, hirsutism, acne, or obesity. For PCOD, lifestyle changes like healthy eating and regular exercise are usually the first line of treatment.
Understanding these differences can help you navigate through your journey if you're dealing with either of these conditions.
Treatment for PCOS and PCOD
Despite their differences, the treatment approaches for both PCOS and PCOD aim to manage symptoms. Here’s a closer look:
Lifestyle Changes: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and maintaining a healthy weight are beneficial for both conditions. This can help regulate your hormone levels and improve insulin resistance.
Medications: Both PCOS and PCOD can be managed with the help of birth control pills to help regulate menstrual cycles, while a drug like metformin can be used to improve the body's response to insulin.
Fertility Treatments: For those struggling with fertility due to either PCOS or PCOD, certain medications or procedures can help stimulate ovulation.
Conclusion
In the end, while PCOS and PCOD share some commonalities and confusion, they are indeed separate conditions with their own distinct traits and implications
And if you're grappling with PCOS or PCOD and searching for an effective treatment strategy, consider the possibility of an online PCOS treatment in a natural way. It's a less invasive, holistic approach that could potentially align with your lifestyle and health goals.
