Most people, when they hear about PCOS or PCOD, think it’s the same thing. Someone says that they have ovarian cysts, someone else says that they’re having hormonal issues. Both the conditions seem similar to an average person. While there hasn’t been some global polling on this, most people have questions about the difference between PCOS and PCOD when they hear about it.
Two women sitting in the same office may have a few similar symptoms and can still get diagnosed differently. One person may mostly be struggling with acne breakouts or weight gain that just won’t go away, and the other may need long-term metabolic monitoring. They look similar on the outside, but understanding the difference between PCOS and PCOD can completely transform the way one manages their symptoms, how they manage their fertility, and what long-term risks they may have.
Hormonal disorders that are affecting women are becoming more and more common throughout the world. 1 in every 10 women is diagnosed with PCOS across the world. Research says that PCOS affects around 4-8% of women around the globe, and milder ovarian dysfunction conditions are even more widespread than that. Despite the prevalence of PCOS and PCOD, many women still remain undiagnosed for years because healthcare providers mistake the symptoms for normal hormonal fluctuations.
There’s a lack of information about women’s hormonal health in the women’s wellness sector. Several women still don’t know how to identify PCOS and PCOD symptoms, and they still ask questions like, “Which is more serious, PCOS or PCOD?” which brings us here to this blog. We’ll go over both the conditions, talk about the hormonal and weight gain aspect of it, and help you make more informed decisions.
Understanding the difference between PCOS and PCOD
To better understand the difference between PCOS and PCOD, it’s better to first know what either of them mean and what are some PCOS and PCOD causes.
PCOS is called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and it’s considered to be more on the serious end of these issues. It’s a condition involving the endocrine and metabolic system of women. Women who experience PCOS commonly have insulin resistance, they have higher levels of androgen in their bodies, experience chronic inflammation, and irregular ovulation. It’s not just the reproductive health of women that gets affected with this condition, other factors like their metabolism, cardiovascular health, and long-term hormonal balance also face its effects.
Now PCOD, also known as Polycystic Ovarian Disease, is when the ovaries produce immature or partially mature eggs which later go on to become cysts. There are several reasons behind this. Mostly it’s when the woman is experiencing hormonal imbalance, or has certain unhealthy lifestyle patterns like poor sleep, lack of exercise, or too much stress. What happens in most cases of PCOD is that the women may still occasionally ovulate and can sort of manage the symptoms by bringing about changes in their lifestyles.
This is not to say that PCOS doesn’t involve cysts, that condition also has the potential to lead to the formation of cysts. PCOS and PCOD symptoms may be similar to each other, so it’s better to get it checked by a medical professional.
Weight gain and Metabolic changes
One issue that women with either of the conditions can’t seem to escape is the unexplained weight gain that they go through.
The relation between weight gain and PCOS is heavily influenced by insulin resistance. What is insulin resistance, you ask? Insulin is a hormone that moves glucose from your blood to the cells in your body so that they can use it for energy. For some reason, in some bodies, these cells don’t respond properly to insulin. Because of this, they’re unable to use glucose and it continues to increase in your blood.
When this happens, your pancreas keeps on trying to make more insulin in your body. When the insulin increases in your body, your ovaries are stimulated to produce more androgens, i.e., male hormones. Which is why your testosterone levels may increase. Higher insulin also makes the body store more fat and this increases sugar cravings as well which is why weight management becomes such a problem.
At the same time, PCOS and PCOD weight gain causes can differ from one woman to another. Someone may have rapid weight gain because of metabolic dysfunction while some others may struggle due to hormonal imbalances or insulin issues like we just looked at. Following a healthy diet for PCOS is a must. This is just a small window into knowing the difference between PCOS and PCOD.
Lifestyle management
No matter the difference between PCOS and PCOD, both conditions can also affect the female sexual health since hormonal imbalances can have a direct impact on libido, body image, and a person’s confidence in their relationship as well. They can also directly impact a woman’s emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Hundreds of women struggle with these conditions alone and filled to the brim with anxious thoughts about themselves. The acne, excessive hair growth, or even infertility concerns can all keep them up at night.
The light at the end of the tunnel in this scenario for women is that some lifestyle changes can be made to improve at least some symptoms. Women are increasingly looking for natural ways to manage PCOS and PCOD after being failed by a medical system that cannot recognize their symptoms and conditions well.
They should still keep looking for the right healthcare provider who will listen to their symptoms but until then we have a few lifestyle tips up our sleeves. Here are a few recommendations:
- Have regular physical exercise sessions, it helps in boosting your metabolism, especially if you have a sedentary lifestyle
- Reduce your intake of sugar or processed foods
- Have a diet that’s high in fiber, this is your time to fibermaxx
- Learn techniques to regulate your stress better, being stressed directly affects the body
- Have a better sleep schedule, it helps a lot in managing certain hormones and their release in the body
Even exercise alone has been said to improve the insulin sensitivity of your body and help balance out hormones. It helps women who have mild to moderate symptoms. Even if you have more serious issues, it doesn’t hurt to try out these healthy activities.
Yes, there is a difference between PCOS and PCOS but inculcating these healthy habits and having the right healthcare provider guiding you through this process is key in managing the symptoms.
Final Thoughts
Our modern lifestyle has made it more and more common to have hormonal dysfunctions or disorders. Despite how common they are, the awareness around them remains surprisingly low. Understanding the difference between PCOS and PCOD helps women recognize their symptoms earlier, go and seek timely medical care, and prevent long-term complications.
Both of the conditions have some degree of hormonal imbalance and ovarian dysfunction. What happens with PCOS is that it usually involves metabolic disruption and greater long-term risks to a woman’s health. In PCOD, these disturbances are on the milder end of the spectrum. That doesn’t mean that women shouldn’t seek medical help. PCOD still deserves medical attention and lifestyle correction.
The earlier women are able to identify their symptoms, the better it becomes for them to manage their hormonal health. Knowing the difference between PCOS and PCOD is not just medical knowledge anymore, you should know it to maintain your health. Otherwise, every conversation around this will turn into random advice about cutting sugar or drinking spearmint tea.
FAQ’s
1. What is the main difference between PCOS and PCOD?
PCOD is generally considered a milder form of ovarian disorder that’s mostly related to hormonal imbalance and a person’s lifestyle. PCOS, on the other hand, is a little more complex than that. It’s a metabolic and endocrine syndrome that has insulin resistance and long-term health risks at the forefront.
2. Can women with PCOD get pregnant naturally?
Yes. Several women with PCOD are able to conceive naturally, especially if they improve their lifestyle habits and manage their weight.
3. Is PCOS a permanent condition?
PCOS is not something that you can get cured of, so it will always stay. But the symptoms can always be managed pretty effectively through medication, exercise, dietary changes, and hormonal management
4. Does weight loss improve PCOS symptoms?
Yes, weight loss can be effective in improving the symptoms of PCOS. Insulin resistance makes it difficult to lose fat, but with the right medication and medical advice, you can manage it effectively.