PCOS aur PCOD Mein Kya Fark Hai? The Diagnosis Rules and Tests (Video)

Transcript

PCOS vs PCOD

Ever wonder if PCOS and PCOD are really different? Let’s clear up the confusion in a calm, simple way.

At a glance

In most clinics the two terms mean the same thing. PCOD is a label you’ll hear mostly in India and Pakistan, while the worldwide medical community uses PCOS and follows a clear set of rules. A scan showing many tiny follicles isn’t enough on its own, doctors look for a combination of signs.

Why the two names exist

Walk into three clinics in Lahore or Lucknow and you might hear three different explanations. One doctor may call PCOD a mild form, another may say it only refers to cysts, and a third might use both words without clarification. The older phrase, polycystic ovarian disease, came from a time when the scan picture was the main clue. It’s a naming issue, not a medical one.

Rotterdam criteria explained

Doctors use the Rotterdam criteria. They look for at least two of three things: irregular or absent ovulation, signs of high androgen hormones, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. Before counting those, they rule out other conditions that can look the same, thyroid problems, high prolactin, a rare adrenal issue, and pregnancy. Only after those are excluded does the diagnosis stand.

Two of three, after the look-alikes are ruled out. That's the whole test.

Teenagers are a special case

Periods can be irregular for the first couple of years after they start. Because of that, doctors usually avoid using ultrasound to label PCOS in girls within eight years of their first period. Instead they may say a teen is “at risk” and schedule a follow-up. It’s careful medicine, not a brush-off.

Tests worth asking about

You don’t need every test on the list, but knowing what’s available helps you ask the right questions. Timing matters, many hormone tests are best done in the first few days of a period, or any time if you haven’t had one for months. Some pills can skew results, so check with the lab or your doctor before you go.

Worth knowing first

Avoid starting any hormone tablets, ‘PCOD kits’, or herbal courses bought online before you have a proper diagnosis. Some products hide real hormones or diabetes medicine. If you miss periods for three months and aren’t pregnant, have very heavy bleeding, notice fast-growing facial hair with a deepening voice, or feel extreme thirst and frequent urination, see a doctor promptly. Always bring a list of current medicines to every appointment.

What a diagnosis changes

The label isn’t just paperwork. It shapes a three-term care plan. Women with PCOS have a higher chance of type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and a thickened uterine lining if periods are very rare. Doctors usually schedule regular sugar and blood-pressure checks, a cholesterol test every few years, ask about snoring or daytime sleepiness, and aim for at least a few bleeds a year so the lining doesn’t build up unchecked.

Traditional view

Unani physicians talk about irregular periods as ‘ihtibas-e-tams’, a retention of menses, and an imbalance of temperament. Ayurveda describes it as disturbed artava and excess kapha. These are observational frameworks, not lab-based diagnoses. If you see a hakeem or vaidya, keep your gynaecologist informed and stay aware of the evidence behind claims like saunf for PCOS.

How to read your own report

Grab your report and look for three key numbers: the follicle count per ovary, the ovarian volume in millilitres, and the endometrial thickness. Write down your cycle lengths for the last six months next to those numbers, and note any changes in hair or acne. One page with that info can make appointments faster and more useful.

Take care

For more details, read the full post on thecareonline.com. Remember, this is general information and not medical advice.