Living with PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects millions of individuals around the world, yet it’s often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or overlooked. If you or someone you love is living with PCOS, you deserve clear, compassionate, and empowering information. Here's what you need to know—backed by international guidelines and patient-informed care.
What is PCOS?
PCOS is a hormonal condition that can affect many aspects of health—from your menstrual cycle and fertility to your skin, weight, and mental wellbeing. It’s common—impacting around 1 in 10 people assigned female at birth—but it can look very different from person to person.
You don’t have to have cysts on your ovaries to have PCOS. Diagnosis is based on a combination of:
- Irregular or infrequent periods
- High levels of androgens (male-type hormones) or signs like excess facial/body hair or acne
- Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound or high Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) levels
Only two of these are needed for a diagnosis—and in younger people, an ultrasound or AMH test might not be helpful early on.
How can PCOS affect your health?
PCOS isn't just a reproductive issue - it can impact your whole health:
- Fertility: Ovulation might be irregular, but many people with PCOS can and do get pregnant—with or without help.
- Metabolism: PCOS increases the risk of insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease—even if you're lean.
- Mental health: People with PCOS are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, and body image issues.
- Sleep: Conditions like sleep apnoea are more common.
- Long-term risks: Higher lifetime risk of endometrial cancer, especially if periods are infrequent or absent.
It is not your fault: Tackling Stigma
Too often, people with PCOS are blamed for their symptoms—especially around weight. But PCOS can make it easier to gain weight and harder to lose it due to hormone imbalances and insulin resistance. This is not a matter of willpower. Shame and stigma have no place in healthcare.
Lifestyle Changes that work
There’s no “perfect PCOS diet” or one-size-fits-all exercise plan. But healthy lifestyle changes can make a difference—improving energy, periods, skin, and mental wellbeing.
- Focus on what feels good, not punishment.
- Include movement you enjoy.
- Consider chatting with a dietitian or exercise physiologist familiar with PCOS.
Weight loss is not a requirement for managing PCOS—but if it's a goal for you, gentle and sustained changes are more effective than crash diets.
Treatment options
PCOS is highly treatable—even though there’s no one “cure.” The best plan depends on your symptoms and goals:
- Combined oral contraceptives: Regulate periods, reduce androgens.
- Metformin: Improves insulin resistance and helps with periods.
- Letrozole: First-choice fertility medication if you're trying to conceive.
- Hair or acne treatments: Topicals, medications, or light-based therapies.
- Psychological support: For mood, disordered eating, or body image concerns.
All treatments should be discussed in partnership with your healthcare team—shared decision making is key.
Taking Control
Emotional Wellbeing
Living with PCOS can feel overwhelming. Many people feel dismissed or frustrated by delayed diagnosis or confusing advice. You're not imagining it—your experience is valid.
- Seek support from PCOS-aware mental health professionals.
- Connect with peer groups or forums.
A Lifelong Journey—But You’re Not Alone
PCOS is a condition that evolves across your life. From teenage years to pregnancy to menopause, the right support makes a difference. With evidence-based care, self-compassion, and the right team—you can thrive with PCOS.
What you can do right now
- Ask your GP or healthcare provider if your symptoms might be PCOS.
- Request tests if you’re experiencing irregular periods, excess hair growth, or fertility issues.
- Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion—you deserve to be heard.
- Use reliable, evidence-based resources like:
- PCOS Guidelines
Based on the 2023 International Evidence-based Guidelines for PCOS
