Though it may sound similar enough, PCOS is a bit different from PCOD!
PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) is mostly caused by a combination of hormonal imbalance and genetic tendencies. In a standard menstrual cycle, the two ovaries will alternately release mature, ready-to-be-fertilized eggs each month. For someone with PCOD, however, the ovaries will often release either immature or only partially-mature eggs, which can go on to develop into cysts(little sacs filled with liquid).This also leads to the ovaries swelling and becoming enlarged. Generally, the ovaries release a limited amount of androgens (male hormones) during the cycle - but in this case, the ovaries will start producing androgens in excess, which leads to symptoms like male pattern hair loss, abdominal weight gain, irregular periods, and in some extreme cases, even infertility.
Though it may sound similar enough, PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) is a bit different from PCOD. In PCOD the ovaries start releasing immature eggs that lead to hormonal imbalances and swollen ovaries, among other symptoms; while in PCOS, endocrine issues cause the ovaries to produce excess androgens, which makes eggs prone to becoming cysts. These cysts won’t, however, be released like in PCOD - rather they build up in the ovaries themselves.
PCOS has a lot of symptoms common with PCOD - weight gain, infertility, acne, irregular periods, etc. PCOS also induces metabolic syndrome, which increases risk of heart disease, strokes, and diabetes. It may also cause sleep apnea, which affects the body’s ability to breathe while you are sleeping - this means sudden pauses in breathing or inability to breathe while asleep, which in turn leads to a highly disturbed sleep cycle. As no ovulation is taking place, the uterine lining (lining of the uterus) builds up every month, which can also increase chances of endometrial cancer.
The Differences
Now that we’ve covered the basic ground regarding both these menstrual health issues, let’s focus on a few differences between them too:
First and foremost, PCOS is usually considered a more serious condition. PCOD can often be managed just by making informed lifestyle changes, and may not even require further medical treatment at all. PCOS however is a disorder of the endocrine system - it has more threatening implications and its treatment almost always requires external hormone intake.
Whether it’s PCOS or PCOD, one cannot argue that both have a sense of social stigma and misinformation surrounding them, especially in Indian society. They’re such common disorders yet they’re treated as something shameful, to keep under wraps - as are all things related to periods.Lack of conversation always leads to a lack of education - and even basic knowledge about menstruation, which may happen to extend beyond the diagrams in an eighth grade biology book, is unknown to most people. But we can always make an effort to educate ourselves, and if you’re still here reading till the end of this article, you’re one of those people - and we thank you for it :)
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