Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects a woman’s ovarian function. This can cause irregular periods, excess androgen (male hormones) and polycystic ovaries — a patient only needs two of these symptoms to be diagnosed with PCOS. In the UK, the condition affects approximately 1 in 10 women.

Here, we’ll explore the symptoms and causes of PCOS, how it’s diagnosed, general treatments and what it means for things like losing weight or getting pregnant. For more information and support in navigating PCOS, sign up to Carecircle and connect with fellow patients, carers and experts.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is a common condition that affects 1 in 10 reproductive-age women and their ovarian function. The disorder is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance and manifests itself differently in each person with over half of patients not experiencing any symptoms at all. Those that do may experience irregular periods, excess hair growth and fertility issues.

The term ‘polycystic ovaries’ describes when ovaries have many small cysts located just below their surface. They’re not quite true cysts in that they’re not full of liquid and they don’t grow, burst, require surgery or develop into cancer. Instead, the cysts are harmless follicles, which haven’t matured to be ovulated. As a result, the ovaries are unable to release eggs.

First discovered in 1935 by Doctors Stein and Leventhal, PCOS was referred to as Stein-Leventhal syndrome for many years. While there is no cure, there are many treatments to ease your symptoms, reduce complications and improve your chances of getting pregnant.

PCOS symptoms

Symptoms of PCOS differ from person to person, with many people not experiencing any symptoms at all. For those that do, they usually start between around the time of puberty and the early 20s. The main symptoms include:

• Irregular periods — this is classed as eight or fewer periods in a year
• Heavy periods — when periods do come, they are often heavier and last for longer
• Infertility issues — women with PCOS may struggle to get pregnant
• Weight problems — PCOS suffers may be overweight or struggle to lose weight
• Excessive hair growth (hirsutism) — more hair can grow on the top lip, chin, nipples and below the tummy button
• Dark skin patches — these usually appear around the armpit, groin or neck
• Hair loss or thinning on the head
• Acne or oily skin

As a result of these symptoms and their condition, many women with PCOS may also experience anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and mood swings.

Unusual symptoms of PCOS

In addition, women with PCOS may experience other symptoms that are less common. These include:

• Pelvic pain throughout the menstrual cycle
• Headaches
• Sleep problems including sleep apnea

Studies have also shown a link between PCOS and a stronger risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes or high cholesterol levels.

Join Carecircle for free and find help, hope, and control with your Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis. Our global network for health makes you part of a worldwide community where your voice matters. Together, we can work toward a better future.

What causes Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

Doctors are unable to determine the exact cause of PCOS and often there is a combination of causes. You are at a higher risk for PCOS if you have:

• A hormonal imbalance — This could be a result of increased testosterone, raised luteinising hormone (LH) levels, low levels of sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) or raised levels of prolactin
• Cells that resist insulin — If your body is making more insulin than it should, it can cause your ovaries to produce too much testosterone, which can prevent them from ovulating each month
• Close relatives with PCOS — Since PCOS can sometimes run in families, you are at a higher risk of developing the condition if your mother, sister or aunt also has it.

PCOS diagnosis

A PCOS diagnosis involves a number of hormone tests to determine whether any excess hormones are a result of PCOS or something else, as well as a blood pressure check.

Occasionally, an ultrasound scan may be carried out to determine whether your ovaries have a high number of follicles. In addition, blood tests may be required to measure hormone levels and screen for diabetes or high cholesterol.

Once other causes of your symptoms have been ruled out, PCOS may be diagnosed if you meet at least two of the following three criteria:

• Irregular periods
• Blood tests revealing hormonal imbalances
• Scans showing a high number of follicles on the ovaries

If you are diagnosed with PCOS, you may be referred to a specialist or treated by your GP. They’ll discuss with you the best plan of action to manage your symptoms and prevent complications.

What to do if you have polycystic ovary syndrome?

If you are experiencing symptoms of PCOS, you should make an appointment with your GP. They will check your blood pressure, arrange hormone tests and potentially carry out an ultrasound scan or blood tests to rule out other conditions.

The first port of call for medical advice on PCOS should always be your GP. However, you can also connect with others experiencing the same issues and provide and receive essential support on PCOS by signing up to Carecircle today.

Join Carecircle for free and find help, hope, and control with your Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis. Our global network for health makes you part of a worldwide community where your voice matters. Together, we can work toward a better future.

PCOS Treatment

There is no cure for PCOS, however, there are many treatment options that help to reduce symptoms, avoid complications and improve your chances of pregnancy. They include:

• Medication — The best type of medication for you will depend on your intentions to get pregnant. Fertility medicines or injections of gonadotropins may help with trying for a baby. If you are not wishing to get pregnant, you may be prescribed oral contraceptives, orlistat for weight loss or co-cyprindiol for acne and excess hair growth
• Lifestyle changes — Since PCOS can be linked to being overweight, you may be recommended to lose weight by eating a PCOS diet and exercising more regularly. Even just 5% of weight loss can significantly improve symptoms of PCOS
• Surgery — If fertility issues are not responding to medication, laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) may be recommended. This surgical procedure is performed under general anaesthetic and destroys the tissue on the ovaries that produce male hormones. This results in lower levels of luteinising hormone (LH) and higher levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which corrects any hormonal imbalances

If you would like information on PCOS, you should seek medical advice from your GP. You can also connect with others experiencing the same issues and provide and receive essential support on PCOS by signing up to Carecircle today.

PCOS diet

Since PCOS can be linked to higher levels of insulin, a PCOS diet can help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of further complications.

People with excess insulin are unable to use their insulin effectively, which can cause the ovaries to produce more testosterone. Sometimes this is caused by a high body mass index, which also makes it difficult for the sufferer to lose weight.

Refined carbohydrates can make this issue worse and so it’s important that those with PCOS eat high-fibre vegetables, lean proteins and anti-inflammatory foods and spices. A PCOS diet typically recommends foods like broccoli, beans, lentils, almonds, tomatoes, spinach, berries, olive oil and fatty fish like salmon and sardines.

PCOS and pregnancy

Women with PCOS may struggle to get pregnant and if they do, there is a greater risk of pregnancy complications. This is because your ovaries are unable to function properly, affecting ovulation and causing irregular cycles.

There are, however, ways of improving your chances of getting pregnant. These include tracking your ovulation and timing sexual intercourse accordingly, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and eating a healthy PCOS diet.

If these lifestyle changes don’t work, you may be prescribed fertility medication to help you ovulate or recommended laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD). This surgical procedure destroys the ovarian tissue producing excess male hormones.

Medication and surgery can help to correct any hormone imbalances so that the ovaries can properly function. If they don’t work, you may be recommended in vitro fertilisation (IVF) to improve your chances of conception.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome PCOS FAQs

It’s natural to have questions about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Here are the answers to some FAQs.

How to lose weight with PCOS?

If you have PCOS, you may find it difficult to lose weight as a result of hormone imbalances, insulin resistance and inflammation.

The best thing you can do is to reduce your carbohydrate intake as carbs increase your insulin levels. You should also eat a healthy and balanced PCOS diet consisting of high-fibre vegetables like broccoli, lean proteins like fish and anti-inflammatory foods like tomatoes. You should also aim to drink lots of water and get plenty of exercise.

What does a PCOS belly look like?

Women with PCOS store body fat more readily around their organs and under the skin around the stomach, buttocks and upper thighs. The lower abdomen is the most common area where the body will store fat. This is a result of insulin resistance, muscle mass and hormone fluctuations. If you have PCOS, your waistline may be bigger and you may have excess fat that you can pinch around your lower stomach.

How to cure PCOS permanently?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS but there are many ways to relieve your symptoms, avoid complications and improve your chances of getting pregnant. These include lifestyle changes like losing weight, medications, surgery and in vitro fertilisation (IVF), which can increase your chances of conception.

What are the first signs of PCOS?

One of the common first signs of PCOS is irregular or unpredictable periods. This is classed as having eight or fewer periods in 12 months. As PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility due to lack of ovulation, struggling to get pregnant is also another common early symptom. If you are having difficulty conceiving, you may have PCOS.

Other early signs include excess hair growth, hair loss and weight problems. If you think you have symptoms of PCOS, it’s important to see your GP so that you can be diagnosed.

How to get pregnant with PCOS?

Difficulty conceiving is a common issue for people with PCOS, however many women go on to have healthy pregnancies.

There are ways you can improve your chances naturally including losing weight, eating healthy, exercising and tracking your ovulation and timing sexual intercourse accordingly.

If these do not work, you may be prescribed medication to improve your ovarian function or recommended laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) surgery. If you are still struggling to get pregnant, in vitro fertilisation (IVF) may be recommended.

Is PCOS genetic?

Doctors are unable to pinpoint the exact cause of PCOS, but studies do show a link between PCOS and genetics. You are at greater risk of developing PCOS if your mother, sister or aunt also has the condition.

Is PCOS hereditary?

PCOS can be hereditary and you are at a greater risk of developing the condition if your mother, sister or aunt has been diagnosed. Often though, PCOS has a combination of causes.

Join Carecircle for free and find help, hope, and control with your Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis. Our global network for health makes you part of a worldwide community where your voice matters. Together, we can work toward a better future.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Resources

If you’re suffering from the effects of PCOS, you may find the following resources and links useful:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (NHS)
• Verity: The UK PCOS Charity
• PCOS Awareness Association
• DAISy-PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition affecting female ovarian function. Those who have it may experience irregular periods, excess hair growth and problems with getting pregnant. While there is no cure, there are fortunately many treatments to relieve symptoms and improve fertility including lifestyle changes, medication, surgery and in vitro fertilisation (IVF).

Guide Sources

• https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/
• http://www.verity-pcos.org.uk/what-is-pcos.html
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/symptoms-causes/syc-20353439
• https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/ovarian-cysts/symptoms-causes/syc-20353405
• https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/womens-health/pcos
• https://www.mantachieclinic.org/the-surprising-signs-of-pcos/
• https://www.healthline.com/health/pcos-diet
• https://www.pregnancybirthbaby.org.au/pcos-and-pregnancy
• https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-lose-weight-with-pcos
• https://flabfix.com/what-does-pcos-belly-look-like/
• https://www.everydayhealth.com/pcos/symptoms-diagnosis/
• https://www.emilyjensennutrition.com/blog/4-types-of-pcos-and-how-to-know-which-one-you-have
• https://www.indiraivf.com/types-of-pcos/