PCOD vs PCOS: Know the Difference, Diagnosis and Treatment
If you have searched for information about irregular periods, acne, excess facial hair, weight changes, or fertility problems, you have probably come across the terms PCOD and PCOS. In India, people often use these terms interchangeably, which can make it hard to understand what they actually mean. The important point is that PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is the established medical diagnosis used in current international guidelines. “PCOD” is commonly used in everyday conversations and online health information, but it is not generally treated as a separate standardised clinical disorder. So, rather than asking whether PCOD or PCOS is “more serious”, it is more useful to understand what symptoms you have.
This guide explains the terminology, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, lifestyle management, and when to seek medical advice.
PCOD and PCOS: What Is the Actual Difference?
PCOS is a complex condition that can affect reproductive, hormonal, metabolic, psychological, and long-term health.
It may involve the following conditions:
- Irregular or absent ovulation
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Clinical or biochemical signs of higher androgen levels
- Acne or excess facial/body hair
- Polycystic ovarian morphology on ultrasound in some women
- Metabolic features such as insulin resistance
- Fertility difficulties in some women
- Psychological symptoms, including anxiety or depression
Not every woman with PCOS will have all of these features [1].
What about PCOD?
The term PCOD is commonly used in India, but it does not represent a separate, standardised diagnosis with different diagnostic criteria from PCOS. If you have previously been told that you have PCOD, it can be useful to ask your doctor what specific findings led to that description and whether you meet the current diagnostic criteria for PCOS. Importantly, having multiple follicles on an ultrasound does not automatically mean that you have PCOS. Polycystic ovarian morphology is only one possible component of the diagnostic assessment.
What Are the Symptoms of PCOS?
PCOS can present differently from one woman to another.
Menstrual and reproductive symptoms
- Irregular, infrequent, absent periods
- Difficulty predicting ovulation
- Conceiving-related problems
Signs related to androgen levels
- Excess facial or body hair, also known as hirsutism
- Acne
- Thinning hair or scalp hair loss in some women
Metabolic features
Some women with PCOS may also experience the following conditions:
- Higher body weight or difficulty with weight management
- Insulin resistance
- Abnormal blood glucose
- Unfavourable lipid levels
However, PCOS can occur in women of different body sizes, and weight alone cannot establish or exclude the diagnosis.
Other possible features
PCOS is also associated with increased rates of psychological symptoms, sleep problems, and other metabolic health concerns. These should be considered as part of overall care rather than assumed to occur in every woman with PCOS. [1]
How Is PCOS Diagnosed?
There is no single blood test, ultrasound scan, or symptom that confirms PCOS. Current international guidelines for adults generally use a combination of three main features. After other possible causes have been excluded, PCOS can be diagnosed when two of the following three features are present:
- Clinical or biochemical hyperandrogenism: Examples include excess facial/body hair, acne in some cases, or elevated androgen levels on appropriate testing.
- Ovulatory dysfunction: This may appear as irregular menstrual cycles or infrequent ovulation.
- Polycystic ovarian morphology: This may be identified on ultrasound. In adults, appropriately interpreted AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) can also be used as an alternative to ultrasound in the diagnostic process.
Important point for patients: An ultrasound showing multiple follicles does not by itself diagnose PCOS. Likewise, having irregular periods does not automatically mean you have PCOS. Your doctor may consider other causes, such as thyroid disorders, raised prolactin, or non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, depending on your symptoms and clinical findings.
Why Does PCOS Develop: The Causes
PCOS has no single cause. Genetic, hormonal, metabolic, and environmental factors can contribute to how the condition develops and presents. Insulin resistance is an important pathophysiological feature of PCOS, but it does not mean that every woman with PCOS has the same degree of insulin resistance. The 2023 international guideline also notes that routinely available insulin assays have limited clinical usefulness and are not recommended for routine assessment [1].
This is why PCOS should not be reduced to simply being a problem caused by diet, stress, weight, or insulin resistance.
What Are the Treatment Options for PCOS?
There is no single treatment that works for every woman with PCOS.
Treatment depends on the following parameters:
- Menstrual symptoms
- Acne or excess hair
- Metabolic health
- Fertility goals
- Body weight and overall health
- Pregnancy plans
- Psychological wellbeing
- Individual preferences and treatment risks
Lifestyle Management
Healthy eating and regular physical activity are core parts of PCOS management. The international guideline recommends lifestyle intervention for women with PCOS to support metabolic health, overall wellbeing, body composition, and weight management. Importantly, benefits can occur even without weight loss. No evidence shows that one diet is universally superior for PCOS. A sustainable eating pattern that fits your nutritional needs, preferences, and lifestyle is more appropriate than a highly restrictive PCOS diet.
Final Thoughts
The terms PCOD and PCOS are often used interchangeably in everyday conversations. However, they should not be treated as two separate medical conditions with different levels of severity. PCOS is the recognised clinical diagnosis, and it can present in many different ways. Not every woman with PCOS has ovarian changes on ultrasound, and an ultrasound showing multiple follicles does not automatically establish the diagnosis. Eskag Sanjeevani Hospitals provides gynaecological care for women experiencing menstrual, hormonal, and related metabolic concerns. With appropriate assessment and individualised management, our team can address PCOS as a long-term health condition.
References
- Teede HJ, Tay CT, Laven JJE, Dokras A, Moran LJ, Piltonen TT, Costello MF, Boivin J, Redman LM, Boyle JA, Norman RJ, Mousa A, Joham AE. Recommendations From the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2023 Sep 18;108(10):2447-2469. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgad463.
PCOD is a hormonal imbalance, while PCOS is a metabolic disorder with more severe complications, both treated expertly at Eskag Sanjeevani.
Yes, Eskag Sanjeevani offers comprehensive PCOD treatment including medication, diet, and lifestyle counseling.
Common symptoms include irregular periods, acne, and weight gain—evaluated and managed at Eskag Sanjeevani.
Eskag Sanjeevani provides personalized treatment combining hormonal therapy, diet, and regular monitoring.
Our dieticians at Eskag Sanjeevani design PCOD-specific weight loss plans tailored to your needs.
Surgery is rarely needed, but Eskag Sanjeevani offers laparoscopic expertise for complex PCOD cases.
Visit a gynecologist at Eskag Sanjeevani if you notice irregular cycles, excess hair growth, or fertility issues.
Eskag Sanjeevani recommends a fiber-rich, low-carb, balanced diet under expert dietician guidance.
Eskag Sanjeevani is home to some of the best gynecologists in Kolkata for PCOD and PCOS care.