According to a survey, 1 out of 10 women (within the reproductive age) is at the risk of developing PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), which is also known to cause infertility.

Never heard of this term…?

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 which 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.

What is PCOD

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.

What is PCOS

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 egg leading to anovulation. Symptoms include hair loss, obesity, and infertility.

Obesity is closely linked with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). Women affected by obesity have a greater risk for PCOS and women with PCOS have a greater risk for obesity. Take a look at some more factors that can trigger this condition in women.

PCOD vs PCOS – How Are They Different?

1. PCOS is a serious condition. PCOD is not considered a disease as with the correct diet and exercise schedule, the situation improves. PCOS is a metabolic disorder.
2. PCOD is more common. Almost a third of the women around the world suffer from PCOD. PCOS has a lower number of patients.
3. PCOS has serious complications. Women who suffer from PCOS are at risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure cardiac-vascular issues, obesity, and even endometrial cancer.
4. PCOS is visible early in life. Girls who suffer from PCOS show symptoms of the disease since their teenage years. Acne, excessive hair growth and weight gain are apparent from a younger age due to metabolic disturbances.
5. Those with PCOD don’t have significant fertility issues. With a bit of medical help, they conceive successfully. Women who suffer from PCOS, on the other hand, struggle with infertility. They even have higher rates of miscarriages.
6. Those with PCOD can still ovulate regularly. The women who have PCOD may have similar symptoms as PCOS, but they retain the ability to ovulate periodically and thus, can conceive successfully. However, those with PCOS do not ovulate due to a severe hormonal imbalance that disturbs the process of ovulation.

In both cases, i.e., PCOD vs PCOS,  losing weight, eating a healthy diet that is free of processed and junk food, and following a 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.