Key facts:

• Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, affects around 8-13% of reproductive-aged women worldwide.

• Up to 70% of PCOS cases go undiagnosed.

• Key management / interventions for PCOS include lifestyle changes, medications, and fertility treatments.

• PCOS is the leading cause of infertility.

Overview:

• PCOS is a chronic hormonal condition that affects women of reproductive age.

• PCOS can cause hormonal imbalances, irregular menstrual cycles, excess androgen levels and cysts in the ovaries. These characteristics can also make it difficult to become pregnant, causing infertility.

Symptoms of PCOS:

• Infrequent / irregular menstrual periods and/or no menstrual periods

• Infertility due to lack of ovulation

• Hirsutism or increased hair grown on the face, chest, stomach, back, thumbs or toes

• Acne, oily skin, and dandruff

• Weight gain, especially in the abdominal area

• Thinning of hair on scalp

• Pelvic or abdominal pain

Management / Treatment of PCOS:

• There is currently no cure for PCOS, however, research has been focused on management and improvement of symptoms through lifestyle changes such as eating a balanced diet and getting regular physical activity.

• Weight loss may be more difficult with PCOS, so these interventions also aid in weight management to help reduce the risk of the development of type 2 diabetes.

• Hormonal contraceptives are also often prescribed in the management of irregular menstrual cycles and to reduce symptoms.

If you are diagnosed with PCOS or are struggling with symptoms, contact your medical provider or reach out to a Registered Dietitian for support.

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Written by Ebony Paul

Ebony Paul graduated from Baylor University with her BSFCS in Nutrition Sciences (21’) and from Texas State University with her MS in Human Nutrition (23’). She is a current dietetic intern completing her supervised practice hours through the Be Well Solutions Dietetic Internship program. Ebony has a passion for women’s health and pediatrics – aspiring to impact women and children in bettering their health and wellbeing through evidence-based nutrition practices. When she isn’t informing people about valuable nutrition knowledge, she enjoys cooking, Pilates, playing board games with friends and family, and relaxing with a good book.

This post was reviewed by Kelly Powers, MA, RDN. Kelly is a Registered Dietitian and Culinary Nutritionist who takes a holistic approach to nutrition and health. She’s a recipe developer with a food blog highlighting whole foods, simple recipes, and her life in San Diego and San Francisco. Kelly is the creator of Weeknight Dinners, a weekly meal plan program that helps people get back in the kitchen and feed themselves well. She’s also a writer on Substack, where she shares practical nutrition education and resources. Kelly specializes in meal planning, the Mediterranean diet, and sustainable behavior change, helping her clients reach their health goals while improving their relationship with food. She’s also a nutrition consultant for health and tech startups, food companies, and brands she believes in.