What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and how can you tell if you have it?

There is a condition that affects roughly 1 in 10 women in the UK, and more than half of these do not have any symptoms, yet the cause is still unknown. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (or PCOS) often runs in families and is related to abnormal hormone levels in the body, but what else is known about this common condition that can affect menstruation cycles and fertility but often goes undetected until a woman is in her 20s or 30s?

What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects how a woman’s ovaries work.

The three main features of the condition are:

Irregular periods - your ovaries do not regularly release eggs
Excess androgen - high levels of ‘male’ hormones in your body, which may cause physical signs such as excess facial or body hair
Enlarged ovaries - your ovaries contain many fluid-filled sacs (follicles) that surround the eggs, but despite the name of the condition, these are not actually cysts

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

Not all women with PCOS will have all of the symptoms and the severity of each can vary significantly. If you do experience symptoms, they usually become apparent in your late teens or early 20s. The main symptoms are:

Irregular or no periods
Difficulty getting pregnant
Excessive hair growth, usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks
Weight gain
Thinning hair and hair loss
Oily skin or acne¹

What causes PCOS?

The exact cause is still unknown but it often runs in families and is related to abnormal hormone levels in the body, including high levels of insulin, the hormone that controls your body’s sugar levels. Many women with PCOS are resistant to the action of insulin in the body and produce higher levels to overcome this, contributing to the increased production and activity of hormones such as testosterone.

Being overweight also increases the amount of insulin your body produces¹.

Is PCOS linked to other health problems?

While this is certainly not the case for everyone, having PCOS can increase your chances of developing other health problems in later life.

For example, women with PCOS are at an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, depression, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. It can also contribute to the development of sleep apnoea in women who have PCOS and are also overweight.

As women with PCOS either do not ovulate at all or only infrequently, it is the most common but treatable causes of female infertility¹. In fact, many women do not discover they have the condition until they find they are having difficulty getting pregnant.

Can I still get pregnant if I have PCOS?

Yes, with treatment, most women with PCOS are still able to conceive².

There are several different fertility medicines that can be used to stimulate ovulation in women who are suffering from PCOS but want to get pregnant. If these are not successful, your doctor may suggest IVF treatment or a simple surgical procedure called laparoscopic ovarian drilling (OVD), which involves using heat or a laser to destroy the tissue in the ovaries that’s producing androgens, or male hormones.

Can PCOS be cured?

There is no cure for the condition but the symptoms can be managed using specialist medicines. If you are overweight and are diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, eating a healthy, balanced diet and losing excess weight can help. Even reducing your weight by just 5% can greatly improve your symptoms as well as reducing your risk of developing long-term health problems.

One particularly effective medication is Metformin, which is commonly used to address insulin resistance - a hallmark feature of PCOS. By improving insulin sensitivity, Metformin can help regulate menstrual cycles, reduce androgen levels, and even support weight management and fertility in some cases. However, it’s most beneficial for those with insulin resistance and should always be prescribed under medical guidance.

What you eat can make a real difference to your PCOS. Eating processed and heavily preserved foods can contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance, so aim to eat more whole foods (such as fruits and vegetables) that are free from artificial sugars, hormones and preservatives, and are as close to their natural, unprocessed state as possible. Without having to deal with extra hormones and preservatives from the food you are eating, your endocrine system can better regulate your blood sugar.

Try to consume more unprocessed, high-carb foods such as quinoa, oats, bananas, blueberries and sweet potatoes, as these will improve insulin sensitivity, and olive oil, tomatoes, leafy greens, fatty fish and nuts as these all help to fight inflammation³.

Iron and magnesium-rich foods are also worth including in your diet to ease PCOS symptoms, as well as high fibre foods to aid digestion. Finally, it is thought that caffeine consumption may be linked to oestrogen changes for some women⁴, so it may be worth cutting down on the coffee and trying a decaf alternative such as herbal tea.

How can I find out if I have PCOS?

You should always see a medical professional if you suspect you have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome as they will discuss with you the best ways to manage your symptoms, will discuss any lifestyle changes you need to make and start you on any necessary medicines.

However, if you are not sure that PCOS is what is causing your symptoms and would like to be more informed before making an appointment with your doctor, MyHealthChecked offer an at-home PCOS blood test that measures the levels of key hormones in your blood that may be affected if you have the condition. Explore MyHealthChecked’s PCOS Blood Test.

Simply take a finger-prick blood sample from the comfort of your own home and send it off to be analysed by medical experts at our specialist UK laboratory. You’ll get clear, detailed results within days, along with tailored, actionable advice on what to do next.

Remember, this kit alone will not give a diagnosis of PCOS, but it may help you identify that you are likely to have the condition. It could be your first step towards taking control and finding the best way to ease your symptoms. You should always seek advice from your doctor before starting any treatment.

References

NHS. (n.d.). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) - Symptoms. Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/symptoms/
NHS. (n.d.). Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Retrieved from https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/
Healthline. (n.d.). 8 Natural Ways to Manage PCOS Symptoms. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/natural-treatment-pcos#diet-changes
National Institutes of Health (NIH). (n.d.). NIH study shows caffeine consumption linked to estrogen changes. Retrieved from https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/nih-study-shows-caffeine-consumption-linked-estrogen-changes