Dr. Viraj Discusses about PCOD and PCOS: Effective Treatments at Maan Hospital, Bhopal.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) and Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) are two related conditions that affect many women during their reproductive years. Both involve hormonal imbalances and can have a significant impact on a woman’s health and quality of life. This will help you understand the differences, symptoms, causes, complications, and treatment options for PCOD/PCOS, emphasizing the expertise of Dr. Viraj Jaiswal, an Obstetrician-Gynecologist at Mann Hospital in Bhopal.
What is PCOD?
PCOD stands for Polycystic Ovarian Disease. When a woman has PCOD, her ovaries develop many small, fluid-filled sacs called cysts. These cysts make the ovaries swell up and affect the way they release eggs, which can cause problems like irregular periods (not getting your period when you expect it). PCOD is usually a milder condition compared to PCOS, but it can still cause discomfort and other health issues if not treated properly.
What is PCOS?
PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is a more serious condition that also affects the ovaries. Like PCOD, it involves the development of many small cysts in the ovaries, but PCOS comes with more serious symptoms. The overproduction of androgens, or male hormones, by the body is one of the primary causes of PCOS. Even though all women have small amounts of male hormones, too many of these hormones can cause several changes in the body. Women with PCOS might notice things like gaining weight quickly, having extra hair grow in places like their face or chest, or having trouble with acne.
What are the Symptoms of PCOD and PCOS?
Weight Gain
Women with PCOS often find it hard to manage their weight and may gain weight easily, even when they try to eat healthily.
Irregular Periods
Women with PCOD or PCOS often have periods that don’t follow a regular schedule. Sometimes their periods are late, or they might skip them altogether. This happens because their ovaries aren’t releasing eggs properly.
Excess Hair Growth
Because of higher levels of male hormones, girls with PCOS can grow hair in places where they don’t normally expect it, like on their face, chest, or back.
Acne and Oily Skin
The increase in hormones can also make the skin oilier, which leads to more pimples or acne.
Thinning Hair
Some women with PCOS may notice that their hair is getting thinner or falling out, similar to male-pattern baldness.
Mood Swings
Mood swings, anxiety, and even depression can be brought on by PCOS’s emotional effects.
What Causes PCOS?
- Hormonal Imbalance: Women with PCOS have extra androgens (male hormones) than normal. These hormones interfere with the ovaries’ ability to release eggs properly, which causes many of the symptoms.
- Insulin Resistance: Women with PCOS also have a condition name insulin resistance. This means their bodies have a harder time using insulin (a hormone that helps control blood sugar), which can lead to higher blood sugar levels and weight gain.
- Genetics: A woman is more likely to get PCOS if her mother or sibling has it because the condition runs in families.
What Complications Can PCOS Cause?
If PCOS isn’t treated, it can lead to more serious health problems later on. Some of the complications include:
Infertility
Women with PCOS may have trouble getting pregnant because their ovaries aren’t releasing eggs as they should.
Type 2 Diabetes
Because of insulin resistance, women with PCOS are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, a condition that affects how the body processes sugar.
Heart Disease
PCOS can lead to high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and weight gain, all of which can increase the risk of heart problems.
Endometrial Cancer
Women with PCOS often don’t get regular periods, which can cause the lining of the uterus to thicken too much, raising the risk of uterine cancer.
Can PCOS/PCOD Cause Problems in the Future?
If PCOS and PCOD are not appropriately managed, they may cause health problems in the future. For example, women with PCOS are more likely to develop chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease. However, women with PCOS/PCOD can lead healthy lives if they receive the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. It’s important to get regular check-ups and follow a healthy lifestyle to prevent long-term complications.
What’s the Difference between PCOD and PCOS?
Although PCOD and PCOS are very similar, there is one main difference:
PCOS is more severe than PCOD. PCOS causes more symptoms and can lead to more health problems in the future, such as infertility and diabetes.
PCOD, on the other hand, is a milder condition that mainly affects the ovaries and periods but doesn’t come with as many long-term health risks.
How Can PCOD and PCOS Be Treated?
There are many ways to treat PCOD and PCOS:
Lifestyle Changes
Eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight can help manage many of the symptoms of PCOD and PCOS.
Medications
Doctors may prescribe birth control pills to regulate periods, reduce acne, and manage hair growth. Other medications can help control insulin levels.
Fertility Treatments
For women with PCOS who want to have children, fertility treatments like medication or assisted reproductive technologies (ART) like IVF can help them get pregnant.
If you’re looking for expert care, Dr. Viraj Jaiswal, an Obstetrician-Gynecologist at Mann Hospital on Sultania Road, Bhopal, is a specialist in treating PCOS and PCOD