Doctor sahiba, mujhe PCOS hai ya PCOD?
Many Pakistani women hear these terms and feel confused: “PCOD ya PCOS? Dono mein farq kya hai?” It’s a common question in clinics from Lahore to Karachi. Both involve the ovaries and hormones, but have some differences. In fact, PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is a leading cause of infertility among women worldwide
About 1 in 5 Pakistani women show PCOS symptoms, yet it’s rarely discussed openly. This article will clarify what PCOS and PCOD really mean, how they differ, and how each can affect a woman’s fertility and health. We’ll also share practical tips, from roti to rogaan (exercise), that fit Pakistani lifestyles.
Quick information in this blog
What are PCOS and PCOD?
- PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome): A Tricky hormonal disorder. It’s not just an ovarian issue, but a syndrome affecting the whole body’s metabolism and hormonesmiduty.in. A woman with PCOS commonly has two of the following: irregular or absent ovulation (no egg each cycle), high androgen (male hormone) levels, or many tiny cysts on the ovariesmiduty.in. . Strangely enough, you don’t always need ovarian cysts to have PCOS. PCOS leads to insulin impaired response and higher testosterone, which can lead to acne, weight gain, and irregular periodsmiduty.innhs.uk.
- PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease): A term often used interchangeably with PCOS, but generally less severe. In PCOD, the ovaries usually release immature eggs that turn into small cystsunicef.org. This makes the ovaries swollen and leads to higher androgen levels, leading to symptoms like irregular periods, acne, unwanted hair growth, and sometimes weight gainunicef.org. Unlike PCOS (a systemic endocrine syndrome), PCOD is viewed more as a functional ovarian problem, mostly influenced by hormones and lifestylemiduty.inmedanta.org. In practice, many doctors in Pakistan may diagnose “PCOD” when they see polycystic ovaries on ultrasound, but with mild symptoms.
Key Differences: PCOS vs PCOD
- Severity: PCOS is conventionally more severe and the whole body. It carries lifelong metabolic impacts. PCOD tends to be milder and more centered on the ovaries. In other words, PCOS may cause symptoms, but PCOS influences the whole body’s health.
- Hormones: In PCOS, hormone imbalances are stronger. Women often have much higher testosterone, an abnormal LH/FSH ratio, and clear insulin resistance. In PCOD, hormonal changes are usually milder and often due to lifestyle (diet, stress).
- Diagnosis: PCOS requires meeting medical criteria (Rotterdam criteria: at least two of irregular ovulation, hyperandrogenism, or ovarian cysts. PCOD isn’t an official confirmation in Western medicine; it’s recurrently diagnosed when an ultrasound shows multiple ovarian follicles and periods are irregular. Many women call it PCOD if doctors note polycystic ovaries, but hormone levels are not markedly high.
- Long-term health: PCOS comes with a more prone to diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. PCOD has fewer ongoing risks, mainly those related to fertility. In short, PCOS is considered “worse” because it can lead to metabolic syndrome, whereas PCOD usually means an ovarian cycle issue.
- Fertility: PCOS often causes stronger fertility issues (see next section). Women with PCOD generally have a better chance of conceiving with diet and exercise.
Symptoms of PCOS and PCOD:
There are a lot of signs that are the same for all of these conditions. Some common signs are:
- Periods that don’t happen on time: cycles that are very short or very long. (Some women might miss a month.)
- Having trouble getting pregnant because ovulation is likely not to happen all the time.
- Hirsutism is having too much hair on the face, chest, back, or belly.
- Acne or oily skin: Commonly, hard to treat with normal approaches.
- Gaining weight or being overweight, most commonly around the waist. It’s not easy to lose this weight.
- Thinning hair on the top of the head: The hair on the head gets finer or falls out.
- Dark spots on the neck, underarms, or groin (acanthosis nigricans) are skin changes. You might also get skin tags.
- Mood changes: A lot of women say they feel anxious or depressed, which is partly because of hormones and the stress of having symptoms.
In PCOD, these symptoms usually appear too but often less severe. For example, weight gain or acne might be milder, and infertility problems are less frequent than with full blown PCOSmedanta.orgunicef.org. But any of these symptoms should prompt a check up.
Diagnosing PCOS/PCOD:
A doctor will combine history, exam, and tests:
- Medical history: Your cycle record, family history, weight changes , and things they notice, like hair growth or acne.
- Physical exam: Checking blood pressure , body mass index (BMI), hair growth patterns, acne, thyroid/goiter.
- Blood tests: Most of the time measure hormones (FSH, LH, testosterone , prolactin, TSH) and metabolic markers (glucose, insulin). A high LH:FSH ratio or elevated testosterone supports PCOS.
- Ultrasound: An ultrasound scan of the ovaries can show several small cysts (often >12 follicles) and inflated ovaries. This evidence is part of the widely used criteria for PCOS. Doctors may say “polycystic ovaries” on ultrasound even without full PCOS. That’s often called PCOD in non technical terms.
- According to guidelines, a PCOS diagnosis is made if two of three are met: irregular/no ovulation, high androgens, or polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. There’s no specific test labeled “PCOD” , it’s more of a descriptive term. Lab results and ultrasound help decide a treatment plan.
How PCOS and PCOD Affect Fertility?
Though in varied ways, PCOS and PCOD can make getting pregnant more challenging for many women. Infertility can be a demanding and emotional problem for many women. PCOS is among the major causes of infertility in women as it frequently interferes with normal ovulation, resulting in missed or irregular periods and thereby making conception more difficult.
Many women in Pakistan battling infertility have PCOS. With the right care, among drugs like clomiphene citrate or metformin, many women can get pregnant. On the other hand, women with PCOS who become pregnant require close monitoring under assessment because they are more likely to miscarry, develop gestational diabetes , high blood pressure, or give birth too early. Generally speaking, PCOD is less severe; most women can enhance fertility by adopting lifestyle changes, including regular exercise and reasonable weight control. Achieving a successful pregnancy can depend much on early medical advice.
Managing PCOS/PCOD: Lifestyle and Medical Tips Diet and Exercise
Lifestyle modifications are the first and most effective line of management for PCOS and PCOD, and the best part is that it can be achieved easily for most Pakistani women.
- Eat more whole grains and fibre: Try to replace white roti or paratha with whole-wheat roti or brown rice, or switch to other grains like barley (jau), oats or millets (bajra, jowar). Foods rich in fibre, do not let your blood sugar spike and help improve the balance of insulin in the body. Most women have reported that periods become regular just with this simple change in the diet.
- Eat more low-GI carbs: Choose foods that release energy slowly such as lentils (moong, masoor dal), beans (chana, lobia), and plenty of vegetables like carrots, spinach (palak), ladyfinger (bhindi), etc. and add fibrous fruits like apples, oranges, pears etc. Try to avoid white bread, fried noodles, sweets, soft drinks, and junk foods. Whenever you feel the urge to snack, roasted channa or boiled makai (corn) with some lemon and chat masala can be a much better alternative to fried samosas or pakoras.
- Choose lean proteins: Incorporate a protein source in every meal. Boiled eggs, grilled chicken, fish (like rohu or salmon) or paneer, tofu and even lentils are good options. Combining protein with a fiber-rich vegetable and a whole grain , like brown rice with grilled chicken and sabzi , will keep you fuller for longer and help with muscle strength.
- Include healthy fats: Not all fats are bad! In fact, you need healthy fats to keep your hormones in check. Almonds, walnuts, flaxseeds (alsi), chia seeds, sunflower seeds are all good sources of healthy fats. If you have access to avocados or oily fish, use those as well, and even olive oil in salads or light cooking. Keep it local with this tip: sprinkle a little ground flaxseed over yogurt or daal. Just a little can go a long way.
- Minimize fried and processed foods: Cut down on parathas, deep-fried snacks, bakery goods, and desserts. They trigger insulin resistance and make it difficult to control symptoms. Indulge your craving with a bowl of fresh fruit chaat sprinkled with black salt, a handful of nuts or a helping of yogurt.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, while PCOS and PCOD can feel overwhelming, both conditions are manageable with the right care and lifestyle changes. A balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress control can make a powerful difference , often restoring hormonal balance and improving fertility. Medical treatments like metformin or fertility medications can further support women who need them, but real healing begins with self awareness and consistency. Every woman’s journey is unique, so early diagnosis and personalized guidance from a trusted gynecologist are key. Remember, having PCOS or PCOD is not your fault , it’s a health condition that can be managed. With patience, positivity, and small daily changes, you can reclaim your hormonal health and lead a confident, fulfilling life.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How can I manage unwanted hair and acne caused by PCOS?
The hormonal imbalance behind PCOS/PCOD can give you a real problem with hair and skin. The best thing to do is get your diet under control, try to cut stress, and use any medication your doctor says is right for you. You can also think about going for dermatology treatments like laser hair removal – or using special creams – if you need a bit of extra help.
What foods should I avoid with PCOS or PCOD?
Yes, light, daily exercises like ankle rolls, toe flexes, and gentle marching help boost circulation and support your body in draining excess fluids effectively without medication.
Can PCOS and PCOD be completely cured?
No, there’s no magic cure for them , but you can definitely get them under control. Making some key lifestyle changes like eating right, exercising regularly and getting medical support can make a huge difference. Many women find their periods and fertility get back on track with the right care.
Can I get pregnant naturally if I have PCOS or PCOD?
The great news is that loads of women with PCOS or PCOD still get pregnant naturally. It’s especially likely if you manage to keep a healthy weight and stick to what your doctor says. Sometimes,though, a bit of help with fertility medications might be needed to get the job done – but getting an early start really improves your chances.