PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) are two disorders in women which are commonly get confused. Both of these are hormonal disorders.
Both of them affect women of reproductive age. Both of them sound similar but they are not. Both of them have some overlapping symptoms but there are some unique symptoms that differentiates between PCOS and PCOD.
In this blog post about difference between PCOS and PCOD, we will focus on highlighting differences between them. We will touch base various points such as what are they, their symptoms, their treatment plans, diet food to take, diagnosis lab tests to do and many more.
The blog is written by PCOS specialist in Mumbai – Dt. Foram Modi at Makes You Eat. So, let’s quickly get started with formal definition of PCOS and PCOD.
Definition - Difference between PCOS & PCOD
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and PCOD (Polycystic Ovary Disease) are both hormonal disorders which are related to the ovaries. However, they are medically different terminologies. and that’s the essence of this article to highlight such minor but important differences between PCOS and PCOD. So, we will first start with Medical definition difference between PCOS and PCOD.
PCOS is a metabolic disorder in which the ovaries produce an abnormal amount of androgens and thus leading to hormonal imbalance.
However, on the other hand, PCOD is a condition where ovaries release immature or partially-mature eggs, causing cysts, weight gain, and irregular cycles.
Please refer below comparison table between PCOS and PCOD that distinguishes it from medical definition viewpoint –
| Aspect | PCOD | PCOS |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Polycystic Ovarian Disease | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome |
| Medical Definition | PCOD is a condition in which the ovaries develop numerous small, immature cysts. These cysts are actually the follicles which are fully matured and can lead to irregular ovulation or anovulation (lack of ovulation). PCOD is a hormonal imbalance affecting your ovaries. | PCOS is a complex endocrine disorder. In PCOS, you will see a combination of features, including polycystic ovaries (though not always present), irregular or absent periods, and most of the time high levels of androgens (male hormones). PCOS is a systemic condition affecting metabolism, hormone balance, and overall health |
Severity Levels - Differences between PCOS & PCOD
The difference between PCOS and PCOD in terms of severity is that PCOS is generally considered a more serious hormonal disorder than PCOD. PCOD is mild and can be managed with lifestyle changes alone. PCOS can lead to complications like infertility, diabetes, and heart disease if left untreated. As per Etiology study on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, high level of Androgens are found in 75% PCOS patients out of all patients studied.
| Feature | Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) |
|---|---|---|
| Severity Level | PCOD is mild than PCOS. The symptoms of PCOD are also less severe than PCOS and are more manageable. | PCOS symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Some women may see a significant long-term health complications. The intensity of symptoms may vary from person to person. |
| Short-Term Effects | Short term effects of PCOD include irregular periods, occasional missed periods, mild pelvic pain, mild acne or oily skin. In PCOD, your Weight fluctuations can also occur. | Short term effects of PCOS include highly irregular or totally absent periods. You can also notice a significant acne, and excess hair growth (specially on the face), weight gain (more mass around the abdomen), fatigue, mood changes, and difficulties with fertility. |
| Long-Term Effects | Long term effects of PCOD includes risk of getting insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes later in the life. In addition, there is an increased risk of endometrial hyperplasia which happens due to infrequent periods. | Long term effects of PCOS includes significantly higher risk of insulin resistance and getting a type 2 diabetes. In addition, there is a risk of cardiovascular disease like high blood pressure and high cholesterol. In some cases, patients may get diagnosed with endometrial cancer, sleep apnea, and depression. Fertility issues will be there for sure. |
Root Cause Differences of PCOS & PCOD
| What Causes It | PCOD | PCOS |
|---|---|---|
| Main Hormone Problem | The main hormonal signals i.e. (Luteinizing Hormone or LH and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone or FSH) which tell the ovaries to release eggs might be off. | The body might be making "male" hormones (Androgens) too much. Also, the LH & FSH hormonal signals for egg release can be off. |
| Body's Sugar Use | The body started having trouble using sugar (related to Insulin) for energy. | The body often has trouble using sugar (Insulin Resistance) for energy and it can affect hormones. |
| Family Link | Small probability that it might run in the family. | High probability that it to run in the family. |
| Other Causes | Lifestyle like diet and stress can be causes of PCOD. | In addition to same causes as PCOD, PCOS might be caused by Ongoing low-level (Inflammation) in the body. |
Hormonal Differences between PCOS & PCOD
| Hormone Level | Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) | Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) |
|---|---|---|
| "Male" Hormones (Androgens) (e.g., Testosterone) | Hormones like Androgens may be slightly higher than their normal levels. | Levels of male hormones is very high than the normal range for any women. This high level of male hormones leads to many symptoms like excess hair growth on face and acne. |
| Luteinizing Hormone (LH) & Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) | The balance between LH and FSH is not regular. This will causes issues with egg maturation. | In PCOS, there is a higher level of LH than FSH. This leads to disruption of normal ovulation. |
| Insulin Levels & Resistance | Some people may observe mild insulin resistance. Insulin levels might be slightly higher. | Insulin resistance is very significant in PCOS. The body doesn't use insulin properly which causes high levels of Insulin in the blood. The high levels of insulin can further stimulate androgen production by the ovaries. |
| Progesterone Hormones | Progesterone levels may be ok or slightly lower than expected | Progesterone levels may be lower especially in the latter half of the menstrual cycle (luteal phase) |
| Estrogen Levels | Estrogen levels might be normal or slightly altered. | In some cases, estrogen levels might be higher than normal (especially certain types of estrogen) |
Diagnostic Tests Differences between PCOS & PCOD
If you have to diagnosing PCOS and PCOD, then it involves different approaches. For diagnosing PCOS, usually various lab tests combinations needs to be done.
This includes hormonal blood tests (like LH, FSH, testosterone levels, AMH), ultrasound imaging to detect ovarian cysts. Various studies have confirmed about AMH test being a marker for PCOS.
PCOD, on the other hand, may often be diagnosed with simpler pelvic ultrasounds and basic hormone tests, focusing more on the presence of multiple cysts and irregular menstruation patterns.
| Aspect | PCOD | PCOS |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis Method | Usually diagnosed through ultrasound showing multiple immature follicles. | Diagnosed by checking 2 out of 3 from below Criterias: irregular periods, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. |
| Common Tests |
- Pelvic Ultrasound - LH, FSH Ratio - Thyroid Profile - Blood Sugar Test - PCOD panel tests |
- Pelvic Ultrasound - Total Testosterone - DHEA-S - AMH Test (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) - Glucose Tolerance Test - Lipid Profile |
Diet & Food to Consume for PCOS & PCOD
| Aspect | PCOD | PCOS |
|---|---|---|
| Dietary Changes Effect | Positive diet changes like reducing refined carbs and increasing protein can significantly control symptoms and weight. | Diet plays a major role; low GI, anti-inflammatory diets help manage insulin resistance, hormonal imbalance, and symptoms. |
| Common Diet Recommendations |
- Balanced meals - Fresh fruits and vegetables - Healthy fats - Whole grains - Portion control |
- Low-carb, high-protein diets - Anti-inflammatory foods - Omega-3 rich foods - Fiber-rich foods - Avoid high sugar foods |
| Role of Weight Management | Dietary changes help with weight management, reducing hormonal imbalance. | Essential for improving fertility, regulating periods, and reducing androgen levels. |
Conclusion
If you understand the difference between PCOD and PCOS, it will help you for diagnosing it in time and take proper treatment from a doctor or a dietitian.
At Makes You Eat, our PCOS dietitian in Mumbai – Dt. Foram Modi is an expert in controlling your PCOS and gives you a new hope of getting conceived.
We have seen how PCOS and PCOD may sound similar but they are different things from perspective of diet changes, diagnostic tests, hormonal imbalances and the root causes. We hope each of the above information helps you manage your PCOD and PCOS effectively.
This post is curated by referring some content from below research papers and publications –
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