PCOS/PCOD – Elbestor Health

PCOD VS PCOS- What is PCOD & PCOS?

Prity Kumari — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 07:01:00 +0000

PCOD VS PCOS: The Difference

Many women across the globe are still stuck with a question: Can PCOD and PCOS terms be used interchangeably? Though both the terms may sound similar enough, they aren’t. Yes, they have similarities like common occurrences which means both the familiar women’s reproductive health concerns are ovarian conditions that cause hormonal disruptions but they are not the same.

So, let’s take a deeper look at PCOD and PCOS and find out what distinguishes them. [2]

What is PCOD?

PCOD or Polycystic Ovarian Disease is an ovarian disorder marked by the production and release of an abnormally high number of immature or partially mature eggs from the ovaries. The excess production of such eggs from the follicles takes place throughout the ovulation cycle. These immature or partially mature eggs take residence in the ovaries to eventually develop into multiple cysts (sac-like structures filled with fluids). When cyst formation takes place, the ovaries also release the androgen (male sex hormones) in excess which further results in many complications like irregular menses, weight gain, and chronic acne which are not serious. It is more common than PCOS. It usually happens as a result of stress, obesity, a poor lifestyle, and hormonal imbalances. [2,4]

What is PCOS?

PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is one of the most diagnosed medical conditions, a type of metabolic disorder in females. It occurs when androgens are produced in excess by the ovaries not because of the cyst formation but due to endocrine issues. Due to sex hormones being out of whack, the eggs present in the ovaries are prone to turn into cysts which won’t be released as in PCOD but get built up in the ovaries. Thus, PCOS leads to abnormalities in ovulation, thereby resulting in female infertility. It may result in PCOS acne and if very serious can cause complications such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and endometrial cancer. If women suffering from PCOS get pregnant, there is a risk of premature birth or miscarriage. [1,2,4]

Causes of PCOD/PCOS

There are many reasons behind PCOS or PCOD happening. Here are some of the common causes of these reproductive health issues-

Genetic Predisposition- Some reports suggest that the incidence of women having PCOS is heightened if their family member has the same.
Excess Levels of Insulin- Insulin is a hormone released by beta cells of the pancreas that increase androgen production.
Low-Grade Inflammation- Studies have found that chronic inflammation could trigger the polycystic ovaries to produce excessive androgens
Extra Male Hormones or Androgens (Hyperandrogenism)- These often lead to anovulation, acne, excess facial hair growth, infertility, and weight gain.

PCOD does not have a clear etiology. Other than the above-mentioned possible causes, contributing factors include pollution, early menarche, and unhealthy living. Similarly, the specific etiology of PCOS is still not discovered. Several causative factors for PCOS include-

Increase in Luteinizing Hormones- The pituitary gland secretes a luteinizing hormone that plays a role in ovulation, the formation of the corpus luteum, and the production of androgens.
Rise in Testosterone Levels- When insulin or luteinizing hormone levels are high, the levels of male sex hormones called testosterone gets elevated which disrupts ovulation.
Increased Prolactin Levels- Prolactin is a hormone released after childbirth to aid in the production of breast milk. When it is produced in excess by the female body, estrogen levels decline. This results in hormonal imbalance which affects ovulation and leads to multiple cysts formation. [2,3,4]

Symptoms of PCOD/ PCOS

The symptoms or signs of PCOD or PCOS vary from one woman to the next. Some women experience some of the signs while others may show different symptoms. Usually, the symptoms are severe if the patient has a sedentary lifestyle or is obese.

The most common symptoms that can be noticed in both PCOD and PCOS patients include:

Infrequent, irregular, or prolonged menstruation
Heavy menstrual bleeding (Menorrhagia)
Excess of the body or facial hair (hirsutism)
Persistent acne, especially in the face, chest, and upper back
Multiple cysts present in the ovaries or enlarged ovaries with follicles surrounding the eggs- this can be visualized in the ultrasound report
Unexplained weight gain (especially around the abdomen)
Skin darkening around the body folds or crevices
Male pattern baldness in females (occasionally)
Depression
Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
Infertility (in severe cases)

However, PCOS can increase the risk of stroke, heart disease, and type-2 diabetes. It may result in sleep apnea and as no ovulation is taking place, it could result in endometrial cancer.[3,4]

How is PCOD/PCOS diagnosed?

After taking a note of the patient’s symptoms followed by reviewing his/her medical history, lifestyle choices, and eating habits, the doctor may prescribe all or one of the following diagnostic tests:

Pelvic Examination- During the initial consultation, the doctor checks the pelvic area including reproductive organs and the area surrounding it for the presence of abnormal growth, masses, or cysts. If anything unusual is found, they prescribe further testing to confirm the diagnosis.
Blood Tests- It is prescribed to measure the hormone levels of estrogen, androgens, luteinizing hormone, and prolactin. Besides these, it is also done to test blood glucose or insulin levels.
Imaging Tests- Ultrasound is the most definitive test to ascertain a diagnosis for PCOD or PCOS as it provides detailed images of the inside of the ovaries, uterus, and associated female reproductive organs to look for abnormalities or unusual growths.
Mental Health Screening- As PCOS is a metabolic disorder, the hormonal imbalance can result in anxiety and depression among women which can be screened by the doctor. [4]

Treatment Options for PCOD/PCOS

The most effective treatment methods for PCOD or PCOS include-

Having a healthy PCOS diet or making other lifestyle changes
Intake of birth control pills as hormonal therapy
Taking certain medications that help in ovulation
Intake of diabetes medications to reduce insulin levels
Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling surgery- to remove ovarian cysts and Hysterectomy in case of the presence of cancerous cysts or endometrial cancer
Fertility treatments- IVF and artificial insemination (when drugs and surgeries have failed). [2.3]

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References:

https://www.unicef.org/india/stories/do-pcod-and-pcos-mean-same-thing-or-are-they-different#:~:text=In%20PCOD%20the%20ovaries%20start,eggs%20prone%20to%20becoming%20cysts.
https://www.gunjanivfworld.com/blogs/pcod-and-pcos-difference/
https://www.toplinemd.com/carreras-medical-center/pcod-and-pcos-difference-symptoms-diagnosis-and-treatment/
https://redcliffelabs.com/myhealth/health/womens-reproductive-health/pcod-vs-pcos-its-causes-its-symptoms-and-treatment-in-india/

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PCOD: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatments

Prity Kumari — Thu, 25 Aug 2022 06:58:00 +0000

Around 5-10% of women suffer from a common hormonal condition called PCOD. This disease is characterized by the growth of multiple small, benign cysts in the ovaries. It is found mostly among women who are of childbearing age. In this condition, there is an imbalance of hormonal levels (estrogen and progesterone) that leads to issues like infertility, irregular menstrual periods, frequent acne breakouts, undesirable hair growth or hair loss, unexplained weight gain, and so on. If not managed on time or left untreated, it can cause serious health issues in women such as diabetes and heart disease. The good news is that PCOD can be managed primarily with proper diet and lifestyle changes. [2, 3]

What is PCOD?:

PCOD, a short form of Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease, is a medical condition wherein there is hormonal imbalance leading to excessive secretion of androgens-male sex hormone by the ovaries. This affects ovulation- a phase in the menstrual cycle where ovaries release mature eggs. In the case of PCOD, the ovaries produce lot many partially or immature eggs which eventually develop into cysts. Cysts are the little fluid-filled sacs. Due to cysts formation, the ovaries enlarge and in turn secreted more androgens. [1, 3]

How PCOD is different from PCOS?

Most people think PCOD and PCOS as the same and use them interchangeably. Although, they are marked with similar symptoms they are two different conditions.

PCOD (Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease) is a hormonal condition wherein the ovaries release lot many immature or partially mature eggs that eventually get converted into cysts. On the other side, PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) is an endocrine or metabolic disorder, a severe form of PCOD where anovulation (the ovaries stop releasing eggs) happens.
PCOD can be cured by a simple change in diet and lifestyle while PCOS requires medications and treatment. If PCOS is not treated timely, it can lead to chronic health problems. [1, 3]

Causes of PCOD

The causes of PCOD are still unclear. However, medical researchers have found a link between PCOD and hyperandrogenism (excessive production of male sex hormones), low-grade inflammation, genetics, and insulin resistance where blood has higher levels of insulin which in turn affects androgens production by the ovaries.

In addition, PCOD is found to be exacerbated by unhealthy lifestyles and early menarche.

Obesity- As per the article published by NCBI, obesity is thought to be a predisposing factor for PCOD. Some mechanisms prove that women with PCOD further gain more weight.
Poor lifestyle- PCOD is more prevalent in young women because of their intake of unhealthy food and a sedentary lifestyle. Such women who are physically inactive, obese, or overweight suffer from metabolic imbalances such as insulin resistance, resulting in PCOD.
Stress- A woman whose body is constantly under stress and whose mind is full of negative thoughts, experiences hormonal imbalances because of disruptions in the endocrine system, potentially leading to PCOD. [1, 2]

Symptoms of PCOD

In most cases, women do not even realize that they are suffering from PCOD. Some women discover PCOD symptoms as early as getting their first menses while others experience them when they have dramatic weight gain or they have tried conceiving but failed. Here are some common symptoms of PCOD. Do pay attention to them so that there is an early diagnosis of the condition and timely treatment.

Irregular or scarce menstrual periods: It is the first sign of PCOD found in most women suffering from this condition. It is caused due to lack of ovulation which prevents the uterine lining to shed blood in a month. It can be self-detected by paying acute attention to the monthly cycle of menses. Some women experience less than 8 periods in a year or have them every 21 days or more while some don’t have them at all.
Sudden weight gain: 80% of women with PCOD are overweight or obese and face difficulty in losing weight. Usually, the fat deposits occur in the lower abdomen area as a result of insulin resistance and more androgens production.
Heavy bleeding: As periods happen irregularly, the build-up of blood in the uterine wall is more. Thus, one can expect to have periods heavier than usual.
Excessive body and facial hair: Due to increased production of male sex hormone androgens, women experience hirsutism-excessive hair growth on the face, upper back, and chest. 70% of women have this symptom.
Mood swings: PCOD results in irregular menses and hormonal fluctuations which leads to sudden mood changes.
Oily skin: Due to more production of the hormone, the skin also goes for a toss. There is increased sebum production which causes frequent acne breakouts.
Skin darkening: It usually occurs on the neck or around the private parts.
Hair thinning or loss: Most women having PCOD experience receding hairline while some even suffer from hair loss as a result of hormonal imbalance.
Diabetes: Women with PCOD are at higher risk of developing diabetes because of insulin resistance. [2, 3]

Treatments for PCOD

PCOD is not treatable with specific medication and its cure is not yet discovered. The commonly suggested treatments to manage PCOD include:

1- Having a healthy diet- It must be rich in lean protein and fiber and limited in sugars, carbohydrates, and fats. Estrogen-boosting foods must be avoided. It will help in keeping the blood sugar levels stable and maintaining body weight.

2- Daily exercises- Women with PCOD need to be physically active by doing regular exercises which help lower their Body Mass Index. Several types of exercises can be undertaken, including:

Mind-body exercises like yoga and tai-chi

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) like burpees, sprints, jump squats, and lunges
Core strength exercises like butterfly sit-up and forearm planks
Strength training such as tricep dips, squats, and push-ups
Cardio workouts such as jogging, swimming, walking, and cycling.

3- Go stress-free- Manage stress in ways that suit one better like taking a break, deep breathing, exercising, slowing down, taking time for hobbies, keeping yourself busy, and many more.

4- Have proper sleep- Have a good restful sleep of about 8 hours.. [1, 3]

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References:

https://www.starhealth.in/blog/polycystic-ovarian-disease
https://endoworldhospital.com/pcod-causes-symptoms-treatment/
https://www.healthifyme.com/blog/pcod/

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