PCOS and PCOD: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Differences.

A young woman always enters his twenties with excitement about education, career, and aspirations. But soon she starts to gain unexpected weight. Irregular periods and persistent health issues also come along. This is the story of millions of women in the world who suffer from hormonal disorders like PCOS and PCOD.

PCOS is not common but it’s not rare either. On the other hand, almost one-third of the mensurating women in the globe have PCOD and  70 percent of them remain undiagnosed. 

While statistics of these conditions are alarming,  many myths and misconceptions still prevail around these endocrinological disorders. Despite similarities in their terminology, they have distinct differences that are very important for diagnosis and treatment. This article will dive into the key differences,  symptoms, causes, and treatment options for these two hormonal conditions.

But before that let’s know about PCOD and PCOS.

PCOS and PCOD

Image: PCOS vs PCOD

What are PCOS and PCOD?

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Disease)

Hormonal abnormalities and heredity cause PCOD or Polycystic Ovarian syndrome. During periods, ovaries alternatively release mature and fertile eggs each month. But in PCOD, ovaries release immature or partially mature eggs which can develop into cysts. Cysts are sacs filled with fluids. Ovaries also get enlarged and swollen and release higher amounts of androgens than normal.

PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome)

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, commonly abbreviated as PCOS, is caused when ovaries produce a higher amount of androgens. This leads to the formation of follicular cysts in ovaries every month. Ovaries stop releasing eggs. It results in anovulation.  Polycystic ovarian Syndrome is a much more severe condition than Polycystic ovarian disease.

Causes and Symptoms of PCOS and PCOD:

Causes of PCOS

Insulin resistance is a common cause of PCOS. It occurs when cells in the body don’t respond to the insulin efficiently. This leads to a higher amount of insulin in the bloodstream. This increases the androgen production and leads to Ovulatory dysfunction. Genetic predisposition is also a major cause of the illness.

Causes of PCOD

The exact cause of PCOD is unknown. It is believed to be influenced by hormonal imbalances, genetics, and environmental conditions. Lifestyle factors such as improper diet and less to no activity add to the condition. 

 Symptoms of PCOS

The symptoms of PCOS are diverse. They might differ greatly from one female to another. Common symptoms include:

  • Irregular or absent menstrual periods.
  • Overgrowth of facial, chest, and back hair.
  • Severe acne and oily skin.
  • Scalp hair loss or thinning. 
  • Weight gain, particularly around the abdomen.
  • Darkening of the skin, usually along neck creases, groin, and underneath breasts.

 Symptoms of PCOD

PCOD symptoms often overlap with those of PCOS. But they are milder. They include:

  • Irregular menstrual cycles
  • Mild acne.
  • Weight gain.
  • Mild hair thinning.
Common symptoms of PCOS and PCOD

Image: Common Symptoms

Diagnosis of PCOD and PCOS:

 Diagnosis involves a medical history, physical examination, and specific blood test.  A blood test is followed by an ultrasound to examine the hormones and ovaries. In  Polycystic ovarian syndrome, an ultrasound can reveal a Polycystic appearance of ovaries and in PCOD, ovaries show multiple cysts but not the same pattern as Polycystic ovaries.

Key Differences: PCOS and PCOD

  • Prevalence And Severity: Polycystic ovarian disease affects a larger population but is less severe, whereas Polycystic ovarian syndrome is rare but has high severity.
  • Hormonal Imbalance: Compared to PCOD, PCOS exhibits a substantial hormonal imbalance.
  • Symptoms: Both have similar symptoms but PCOD is milder than PCOS.
  • Ovarian Appearance: PCOD shows multiple cysts but not in a polycystic pattern, whereas, PCOS shows a typical polycystic ovarian but can be unilateral or bilateral. 
  • Insulin Resistance: It is more common in PCOS than in PCOD.
  • Long-Term Health Risks: Polycystic ovarian disease has fewer health risks than syndrome where a patient has a risk of developing Type-2 Diabetes in the future and other ailments.
  • Infertility: The chances of Infertility in Polycystic ovarian syndrome are higher than in Polycystic ovarian disease.

References.

  1. https://www.unicef.org/india/stories/do-pcod-and-pcos-mean-same-thing-or-are-they-different
  2. https://pharmeasy.in/blog/what-is-pcod-and-pcos-how-are-they-different/
  3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439
  4. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/polycystic-ovary-syndrome

Written by: Kamni

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