PCOD vs PCOS Key Differences, Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

PCOD vs PCOS is one of the most searched women’s health concern in Australia because many women confuse these 2 hormonal conditions. While both affect the ovaries, causing an abnormal menstrual cycle, overweight or obese, breakout, and difficulty conceiving. However, they are not the same disorder. By understanding the differences between PCOD (Polycystic Ovarian Disease) and PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome), can help women in Australia get the right diagnosis, treatment, and lifestyle support early.

PCOD vs PCOS: Understanding the Differences

Have you heard your doctor using the words "PCOS" and "PCOD"? You may be wondering if they mean the same thing or if one is worse than the other, which is understandable. They are both commonly used interchangeably in the medical field, but they are actually 2 different medical diagnoses, and require different treatments/management.

Do not worry as it is very common to get confused between the two. Many people will use both terms at the same time, since they are both similar in their names. However, there are actually differences between them. Understanding the differences between PCOD or PCOS could be the key to getting the right diagnosis and the most effective care for your health.

What is PCOD?

Polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD), which sometimes causes many premature or incomplete eggs to form cysts in the ovaries, results in minor hormonal changes and enlargement of the ovary along with some elevation in male hormones (androgens), leading to disruption of menstrual cycles. PCOD can affect as many as 10% of all women worldwide.

Therefore, there are many reproductive-aged Australian women with PCOD as a result of various lifestyle factors, including poor nutrition, stress and obesity. As PCOD is less severe than many of the other diseases, if detected and treated early by doctors, it rarely leads to long-term complications under Medicare.

Symptoms of PCOD

PCOD symptoms mainly arises from hormonal imbalances causing irregular ovulation and small ovarian cysts. Most women with PCOS will notice they have an irregular period, various hormones or abnormally high androgen levels.

• Irregular or missed period: Cycles of 35 days or more between periods, less than 8 yearly or no periods (amenorrhea) from immature eggs.
  
  
• Weight Gain: Usually gain weight in your abdomen and have difficulty losing it, which is related to insulin levels.
  
  
• Acne/Oily Skin: Breakouts on the face, jaw, chest and back due to hormones.
  
  
• Excess Hair Growth: Excessive facial, chest, back and abdominal hair.
  
  
• Scalp thinning (alopecia): Thinning hair on top of the head.
  
  
• Infertility problems: Difficulty in conceiving due to irregular ovulation.
  
  
• Darkened skin: Neck, armpit and groin have acanthosis nigricans.
  
  
• Fatigue: Low energy for a long period of time due to hormone imbalance.
  
  
• Mood Swings: Including irritability, anxiety and depression.
  
  
• Abdominal Bloating: Pelvic pain and discomfort due to enlarged ovaries.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal and metabolic condition affecting between 0.2% and 2.5% of all women. Women who suffer from this condition have high androgen levels, irregular ovulation, and cysts from un-ovulated eggs. It can affect a woman’s whole body and cause her to develop multiple chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes, and infertility.

In Australia, it is estimated that 1 in 10 women of reproductive age have PCOS and are typically diagnosed through the use of public health services or private specialists via ultrasound and blood tests to diagnose the condition. Family history and insulin resistance are significant risk factors for PCOS, making it a chronic syndrome needing ongoing care.

Symptoms of PCOS

• Missed or irregular periods: Less than 9 periods a year, more than 35-day cycles, heavy bleeding, or no menstrual period due to not ovulating.
  
  
• Excessive body hair: Thick hair on the face, chest, back, and stomach.
  
  
• Acne and oily skin: Continuous facial/back/chest acne after the teenage years.
  
  
• Weight gain or obese: Abdominal fat that is difficult to get rid of, often related to insulin resistance.
  
  
• Thinning hair or baldness: Male-pattern thinning of the scalp.
  
  
• Fatigue & sleep issues: Difficulty with sleep due to sleep apnea causes fatigue.
  
  
• Dark skin: Dark, soft to the touch patches on the neck, the armpits, and groin area.
  
  
• Infertility: The most common cause is from not ovulating.
  
  
• Mood changes: Anxiety, depression, irritability due to hormonal changes
  
  
• Ovarian Cysts: The ultrasound will show many small-sized follicles and looks like enlarged ovaries.
  
  
• Skin Tags: There are small flaps of skin that appear in the neck or armpits for most women.

PCOD vs PCOS: Key Differences

What Causes PCOD and PCOS in women

Understanding the root causes can help you better manage these conditions.

PCOD Causes

• Unhealthy lifestyle (poor diet, inactive lifestyle, stress)
  
  
• Obesity causing worsening insulin resistance levels
  
  
• Insulin resistant and excess levels of insulin present
  
  
• Elevated levels of androgenic hormones
  
  
• Family history/genetics.
  
  
• Chronic low-grade inflammatory state
  
  
• Nutritional deficiency, pollution, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals.

PCOS Causes:

• Insulin resistance that leads to elevated levels of androgen.
  
  
• High androgen levels produced by the ovaries.
  
  
• Hormonal imbalance (higher LH/FSH ratio with low total levels of SHBG)
  due to high levels of androgens.
  
  
• Genetics/family history (family history of either PCOS or diabetes).
  
  
• Low grade inflammation.
  
  
• Obesity as a trigger for the development of PCOS.

How to Diagnose PCOD and PCOS?

With medical history and the physical examination, doctors are able to prepare diagnoses of polycystic ovarian disease (PCOD) or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) by identifying patterns of irregular periods or family history of unresolved infertility. Your doctor will do:

• Pelvic examination: Doctor gently inserts gloved fingers into the patient’s vagina while applying gentle pressure to the abdomen to examine the ovaries for swelling, tenderness or cystic formations. An enlarged ovary is a common finding in both diagnoses. a pelvic examination simply provides information to assess the ovaries.
  
  
• Blood tests for hormone levels: Measures of hormone levels can be known through a blood test will include follicle stimulation hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone, insulin, etc. High levels of testosterone or a high LH:FSH ratio will support a diagnosis of PCOS, while also rules out thyroid issues.
  
  
• Abdominal ultrasound: An abdominal ultrasound is non-invasive, where gel is applied to the abdomen and a wand is used to glide over the abdomen. During the abdominal ultrasound, the size of the ovaries is checked and cystic formations are counted. Many tiny cysts are present with PCOD, while the ovaries are normally larger with PCOS.

Treatment Options for PCOD and PCOS

No, there is no permanent cure. However, the symptoms of PCOD/PCOS can be controlled.

Treatment for PCOD:

• Eat a more balanced, healthier diet. Limit the amount of sugar in your diet to stabilise hormonal balance and reduce the likelihood of cyst development.
• Exercise regularly so that you can maintain body weight and help improve ovulation.
• Control stress through yoga, meditation, or mindfulness exercises to lower cortisol levels.
• If your lifestyle changes do not improve your symptoms or hormonal imbalances, hormonal pills may be given for regulating periods.

Treatment for PCOS:

• Hormonal therapy via birth control pills to control androgen production, thus reducing acne and hair growth.
  
  
• Certain medications may also be prescribed to treat insulin resistance and other metabolic conditions.
  
  
• Women who would like to conceive a child should consider fertility treatments such as clomiphene, letrozole, and/or IVF.
  
  
• In addition to all of the above, women should also make lifestyle changes similar to those for PCOD, which include: making healthy dietary choices, exercising regularly, and losing 5-10% of one's body weight.

Living well with PCOD and PCOS

Living with PCOD and PCOS might feel overwhelming at times, but small, regular steps can work wonders. Here are key suggestions:

• Make a Long-Term Healthy Living Plan: Eat healthy , exercise, and sleep enough to keep your hormones balanced.
  
  
• Keep Track of Your Menstrual Cycle: Use apps to keep track of your cycles so that you can detect irregularity in a timely manner so that you can make lifestyle changes or seek medical assistance.
  
  
• Stay Hydrated and Well Rested: Hydration is very important so drink a lot of water each day, but sleep is equally important, as rest helps reduce fatigue and improve metabolic function.
  
  
• Get Involved with Support Groups: Join an online forum or community with PCOS Australia for motivation and solidarity.
  
  
• Regular Appointments With Your Doctor: Stay in contact with your gynecologist or endocrinologist to receive regular monitoring and a personalized health plan from your doctor, which Medicare covers.

Final Words

Understanding PCOD vs PCOS is crucial to allowing proper diagnosis & treatment at the earliest possible time. Both of these conditions affect the ovaries & are related to hormones but PCOS is a more complicated condition and linked to many future metabolic health risks.

Women with symptoms such as irregular periods, acne, weight gain or difficulty in conceiving need to consult a doctor at the earliest so that right treatment can be started. With a managed treatment plan that includes a healthy change in lifestyle and ongoing support from family/friends, most women are able to manage their symptoms & improve their overall quality of life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PCOD and PCOS are same?

No. PCOD is an ovarian disorder, while PCOS is a hormonal & metabolic syndrome.

Which one is more common in Australia?

PCOS is a common health condition among reproductive age females in Australia. However, many other women also live with PCOD.

What is the main difference between PCOD and PCOS?

Women with PCOD experience a more mild form of polycystic ovarian syndrome than those diagnosed with PCOS.

Can PCOD and PCOS be cured completely?

There is no permanent cure for either PCOD or PCOS, however, both conditions can be managed through right lifestyle changes, exercise, dietary management, or with the use of medication.

Content References:

• www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459251/
• www.apollohospitals.com/health-library/pcod-vs-pcos
• www.manipalhospitals.com/indira-clinic/blog/pcod-vs-pcos-key-differences-symptoms-causes-and-treatment-options/
• https://www.endocrine.org/patient-engagement/endocrine-library/pcos
• www.surgikure.com/pcos-vs-pcod-key-differences-symptoms-causes-treatment-options/
• www.drsowjanyaaggarwal.com/blog/difference-between-pcos-pcod-its-causes-symptoms-and-treatment/
• www.fortishealthcare.com/blogs/pcod-and-pcos-understanding-difference-symptoms-causes-and-treatment
• www.medicoverhospitals.in/articles/pcod-vs-pcos
• www.kkcarehospital.com/blogs/pcod-vs-pcos-key-differences-symptoms-causes-and-treatment/