Confused Between PCOD vs PCOS? Know The Difference!
By Nikita Banerjee +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Last updated: Apr 12, 2023Click to rate this article!
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By Nikita Banerjee +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Last updated: Apr 12, 2023
PCOD vs PCOS – Are they the same? Many women use both, PCOD (Poly Cystic Ovarian Disease) and PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome) interchangeably when both are very different conditions. While both the conditions are related to the ovaries and both cause hormonal disturbances, there are many significant differences.
All women have two ovaries that release an egg alternately every month. These ovaries also produce female hormones that are responsible for many things like fertility, period schedule, facial hair, etc. apart from these they also produce androgens or male hormones but in very minute quantities.
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PCOD is a condition in which the ovaries contain many immature or partially mature eggs. They, eventually, turn into cysts. Junk food, being overweight, stress and hormonal disturbances give birth to this condition. Common symptoms of PCOD are irregular periods, abdominal weight gain, infertility and male pattern hair loss. The ovaries usually become enlarged in this problem and secrete large amounts of androgens that cause havoc with the woman’s fertility and her body.
PCOS is a metabolic disorder that is more severe than PCOD. In this condition, the ovaries produce a higher quantity of the male hormone and this leads to the formation of more than ten follicular cysts in the ovary every month. This stops the release of the egg leading to anovulation. Symptoms include hair loss, obesity and infertility.
While neither PCOD nor PCOS can be directly caused due to a particular food, a healthy diet goes a long way to preventing or easing the symptoms of both. PCOS has been highly linked to obesity and being overweight, additionally, it is harder to lose weight with these conditions.
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.
Try limiting your intake of processed flour bread, sugary desserts and drinks 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.
The PCOD vs PCOS symptoms may be similar and harder to distinguish unless you stop and think about it. The dietary changes required are also similar. PCOD and PCOS both will require dietary and lifestyle changes to help you with your recovery.
In both cases, i.e., 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. It is imperative to catch the disease as soon as possible to control the damage with proper lifestyle changes and medications. If you have irregular periods, acne or excessive facial hair growth, you need to get yourself checked.
Disclaimer: The information included at this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.
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