PCOD vs PCOS: Get to know the conditions and confusion!

_{The article is discusses about the difference and understanding about PCOD and PCOS. Also, this article includes the symptoms, Characteristic, lifestyle changes, diet and exercise in the condition of PCOD, and PCOS.}

PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) and PCOS ( Polycystic ovarian syndrome) are often confused with being similar. The following points will help you better understand:

• While both the conditions often exhibit similar symptoms and follow a similar course of treatment, there are a lot of differences between each of the conditions.
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a disorder of the endocrine system, while PCOD is a condition developed by the imbalance of hormones.
• With PCOS, many small sacs of fluid develop along the outer edge of the ovary. These are called cysts. The small fluid-filled cysts contain immature eggs. These are called follicles. The follicles fail to regularly release eggs.

“According to CDC data, “The PCOS condition affects 6% to 12% (some 5 million in the US) of women of reproductive age, making it one of the most common causes of female infertility. That’s not all it is. In spite of the fact that this health condition is lifelong, it persists far beyond the childbearing years.” PCOS can lead to serious health problems, especially in overweight women, like diabetes, heart disease, cholesterol , sleep apnea, stroke, depression and anxiety, and Gestational diabetes.”

Women without PCOS

Mature follicles undergo ovulation

The follicles which don’t reach maturity degenerate via apoptosis i.e Programmed cell death

Women with PCOS

• Mature follicles often don’t undergo ovulation, causing their accumulation, after which they they may turn into cysts.
• The follicles which don’t reach maturity may not die due to a defect in apoptotic processes which further increases their count.

Symptoms of PCOS/PCOD

Some of these symptoms include:

• Irregularities in the menstrual cycles – Oligomenorrhea, Amenorrhea, etc.
• Menorrhagia or excess menstrual bleeding
• Hirsutism or excessive hair growth on the face and body
• Chronic acne, especially around the chest, face, and upper back
• Unexplained weight gain, especially around the abdomen
• Skin darkening around the folds and crevices in the body
• Male pattern baldness in females (occasionally)
• Lack of ovulation
• Type-2 diabetes
• Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
• Sleep apnea
• Endometrial cancer
• Depression
• Infertility (in severe cases)

Characteristic of PCOS

Most women with PCOS also Hyperinsulinemic and insulin resistant, independent of obesity, compared with normal women.

PCOD – Polycystic Ovarian Disease

• All women have two ovaries that release an egg alternately every month. Normally the ovaries produce androgens or male hormones in minute quantities. PCOD is a condition where ovaries release many immature eggs which eventually turn into cysts.
• Some common symptoms are abdominal weight gain, irregular periods, hair loss and infertility.
• PCOD is not considered a disease as with the correct diet and exercise schedule, the situation improves. PCOS is a metabolic disorder.Almost a third of the women around the world suffer from PCOD.
• PCOS has a lower number of patients.

PCOS – Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

• In Pcos, the ovaries produce higher levels of androgen that usual which interferes with development and release of the eggs.
• Some of the eggs develop into cysts, which are little sacs filled with liquid. Instead of being released during ovulation, these cysts build up in the ovaries and at times even get enlarged.
• Women who suffer from PCOS are at risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure cardiac-vascular issues, obesity and even endometrial cancer.

 

Lifestyle Changes

The initial treatment for PCOD/PCOS generally starts with introducing lifestyle changes. Studies suggest that subsequent loss in body weight drastically improves the symptoms and helps in reversing the impacts of the disorder.

So, your doctor will suggest:

• Improving your dietary habits by eating nutritious and balanced meals.
• Focus on losing weight in a healthy, holistic, and sustainable manner.
• Let go of the sedentary lifestyle and include physical activity in your day-to-day life.

Introducing healthy lifestyle changes also helps reduce the risks of insulin resistance and inflammation in the body, which helps reverse the impacts further.

PCOD and PCOS: Diet and Exercise

1. Diet and exercise are lines of treatment, even modest weight loss of 5-10% has been associated with decreased androgen levels, insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia and resumption of ovulation in women with PCOS.
2. PCOS has been highly linked to obesity and being overweight, additionally, it is harder to lose weight with these conditions.
3. Since PCOS is closely tied to insulin resistance, you should avoid a diet rich in starch and sugar and cut highly refined carbs from your diet. Add high-fibre foods and veggies as well as nuts and olive oil, this can help you feel full while reducing weight.
4. Try limiting or stop your intake of processed flour bread, sugary desserts and sugary drinks, soda and avoid corn syrup sweetened goods too. You may not experience any improvement in symptoms unless you also pair your diet changes with increased daily exercise and use stress-reduction techniques.
5. In both cases, PCOD vs PCOS, losing weight, eating a healthy diet that is free of processed and junk food and following regular exercise, the schedule has shown tremendous improvements.

Some helpful supplements

• Omega-3 Fish oils – type of polyunsaturated fatty acids
• Vitamin D3
• L-Carnitine
• Myo-Inositol + Folic Acid (myo-inositol is a vitamin like substance found in fruits,beans,grains and nuts. Consuming with folic acid can improve ovarian function, reduce testosterone and insulin levels)

With lifestyle and diet changes See your healthcare provider if you’re worried about your periods, if you’re having trouble getting pregnant, or if you have signs of excess androgen.

Summary : PCOD or PCOS is also known as polycystic ovary syndrome/disorder. Women suffering from this problem have trouble getting pregnant and at the same time, some changes in their physical appearance also start happening. PCOS is a condition that affects hormones. As a result, it causes irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, and infertility. Depending on your desire to become pregnant, you may need treatment for PCOS. There is an increased risk of diabetes and high blood pressure for people with PCOS. Women of reproductive age are very likely to have PCOS – up to 15% do. For more diagnosis details, visit at https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353443

Disclaimer

Do not attempt any of suggested action, suggestion, remedies or instruction found here without consulting with qualified professional. Before consuming suggested thing here analyse your problem and do blood works as everyone bodies are different and root cause is different. Consult with professional and know your best suited diet.

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The gut health issue can be resolved without a handful of medicines- Dr. Harpreet Arora

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