Our PCOS Knowledge Base
Information and educational resources your can rely on. All our content is meticulously researched, evidence based and backed by science.
What Causes PCOS?
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) usually experience a number of different signs and symptoms, such as irregular menstruation, excess hair growth, weight gain, acne, difficulty conceiving, as well as anxiety and depression. But what causes this? And what...
PCOS and Cysts – What Is the Connection?
Many would argue that the name Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is misleading. First, the “cysts” that may be present in the ovaries of women with PCOS are not actually ovarian cysts per se, but rather fluid-filled follicles. Second, it points to the polycystic ovaries as...
The Rotterdam Criteria for Diagnosing PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic condition that affects millions of women around the world. Because of the symptoms such as weight gain, difficulty to conceive and anxiety and depression, as well as its association with an increased risk for...
The Role of Androgens in PCOS
Hyperandrogenism, the medical term for having excess levels of androgens, can cause changes in the female body such as male pattern hair growth, acne or hair loss. Elevated androgens is one of the key criteria for diagnosing PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). If left...
Is Inositol a Helpful Supplement for Women with PCOS?
Inositol is a vitamin-like nutrient that the body needs in small amounts for normal cell function, growth, and development. Inositol is also considered a popular supplement for women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but is it actually helpful? This article will...
Is Yoga Beneficial for Women With PCOS?
From improving heart health to relieving anxiety, the benefits of yoga are far-reaching and well known. Studies have shown that it may also help with PCOS. Here’s an overview of what yoga is and how it could benefit you. What is Yoga? Yoga needs no introduction. But...
PCOS & Your Libido
Low sex drive or also called low libido in women has many potential causes, which include stress, anxiety, negative body image, and an underlying medical problem like PCOS. Learn how PCOS can affect your sex drive and what you can do about it. PCOS and Sexual...
PCOS & Menopause
Menopause is a natural event in every woman’s life characterized by the end of her menstrual cycles due to hormonal changes. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone disorder in women that can cause symptoms such as irregular periods, weight gain, excess...
PCOS and Fatigue – Why Are You Feeling So Tired?
Many of us are overworked, stressed, and sleep-deprived, so feeling frequently exhausted is not unusual. But for Women with PCOS, fatigue can be more debilitating, as it can cause memory impairment, poor performance at work, and an overall reduced ability to fulfill...
Can Weight Loss Help Reduce PCOS Symptoms?
PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) is the most common hormonal condition in women of reproductive age. It can lead to a variety of symptoms such as hair growth, acne, hair loss, difficulties conceiving - and it can also have an effect on weight. Many women with PCOS are...
How Can PCOS Lead To Sleep Apnea?
Sleep apnea is a recent addition to the range of health risks associated with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome). There is some evidence that women with PCOS are at increased risk of developing obstructive sleep apnea compared to women without the syndrome. Keep reading...
The Best Exercises for PCOS
Many women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) who want to get rid of the bothersome symptoms — such as hirsutism, scalp hair loss, weight gain, acne, and irregular periods— or are trying to conceive have heard that physical activity might benefit them. But what...
What Is Brain Fog and What To Do About It
Brain fog is a tricky term. Some call it scatterbrain, fuzzy-thinking, or being distracted and unfocused. Some people simply say their brains are not working properly. Mental health practitioners may refer to this as “mild cognitive impairment,” which doesn’t really...
Are Period Tracking Apps Useful for Women with PCOS?
There is a huge variety of period tracking apps available on the app market, and many are quite handy for keeping tabs on your menstrual cycle and monthly symptoms. Some are designed to help you get pregnant or avoid getting pregnant. Others have an added health...
Why Are Periods Important?
The period or menstruation is a normal biological process that occurs about once a month, in which blood and tissue are shed and expelled from the uterus through the vagina, as a natural part of a woman’s menstrual cycle. While it is an experience shared by almost all...
Does PCOS Increase the Risk for Endometrial Cancer?
PCOS or polycystic ovary syndrome is often connected to other serious conditions, and one of them is endometrial cancer. Learn why PCOS increases your risk for this type of cancer and what you can do about it. The Role of PCOS in Endometrial Cancer Endometrial...
How Are Other Conditions Connected to PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal disorder in women aged 15-49 years. Contrary to what many people think, PCOS affects more than fertility: Women with PCOS are at a higher risk for certain serious conditions than women without PCOS. It is...
How Your Period Can Lead to Iron Deficiency
Heavy menstrual periods, also known as menorrhagia, can deplete your iron stores. Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells responsible for transporting oxygen to tissues. Further depletion of your iron stores can lead to...
Experiencing a Miscarriage – The Next Steps
While there are many things that can lead to a miscarriage, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is linked to a higher rate of early miscarriage and complications during pregnancy. The loss of a baby, whether at birth or in the weeks or months afterward, is no less...
Why Is It Hard To Lose Weight for Women with PCOS?
You’ve probably heard it a thousand times that women with PCOS need to lose weight to improve their symptoms. If you feel that it’s easier said than done, you are not alone. It is a common observation that it is harder for women with PCOS to lose weight than...
Endometriosis & PCOS: Is There a Connection?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is responsible for an estimated 70% of cases of female infertility due to anovulation or failure to ovulate.1 In addition to the classic symptoms of hirsutism, weight gain, acne, and menstrual irregularities, PCOS is linked to other...
How to Improve Your Body Image
Being diagnosed with a chronic condition such as PCOS can drastically affect someone’s self-esteem and can impact many aspects, such as your body image. Taking good care of yourself is more important than ever during these times. What is Body Image? Paul...
PCOS and Acne
Acne is one of the classic symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). While it can be very distressing, there are many treatments available for this condition, and there are ways to control your symptoms while waiting for your medications to start working. Living...
PCOS: How to Best Manage Menstrual Pain
The prevalence of menstrual pain (dysmenorrhea) varies, but studies showed that about 16% to 91% of women are affected, and 2% to 29% of them suffer from severe pain.1 It is so common that many women consider it to be a normal part of menstruation. However, it is also...
PMDD & PCOS: Is There a Connection?
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a severe form of PMS or premenstrual syndrome. PCOS, on the other hand, is a hormonal disorder that usually causes irregular periods, weight gain, and excessive hair growth. The psychological symptoms of these two disorders...
PCOS and Hair Loss
There are two distinct types of hair problems experienced by women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): excess hair growth, which mainly affects the body and face, and hair loss, which affects the scalp. The medical term for this type of hair loss is androgenetic...
Fibroids & PCOS: Is There a Connection?
Uterine fibroids, also known medically as leiomyomata or simply myoma, are the most common non-cancerous tumors that affect women in their reproductive years. Is there a link between fibroids and PCOS? Continue reading to learn more about these two very common...
PCOS and Disordered Eating
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common disorder of the endocrine system in women, characterized by ovulatory problems, weight gain, and signs of excess androgens such as acne, excess hair growth, and scalp hair loss. Many of the symptoms of PCOS can lead to body...
The Best Skincare for Women with PCOS
Hormonal imbalances associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often bring frustrating skin problems such as cystic acne, oily skin, dandruff, and dark patches on the skin. Although PCOS is not yet curable, these symptoms are manageable. With hormonal...
Are Women with PCOS at Higher Risk of Heart Disease?
Heart disease, sometimes also called by the broader term cardiovascular disease, is one of the long-term health risks associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)1. If you have PCOS, it is important to have your heart and overall health monitored regularly by a...
Are Women with PCOS at Higher Risk for Diabetes?
Diabetes is a common but serious condition - it is the 7th leading cause of death worldwide.1 About 1.5 million people are diagnosed with diabetes each year in the United States alone. You may have already heard that Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can have an impact...
PCOS and Hirsutism
Hirsutism, the growth of excessive body hair, can be very distressing to those who are affected. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of hirsutism in women. Treating the underlying PCOS can lead to improvement of these symptoms. Let’s learn more...
Laser Hair Removal or Electrolysis? Which Method is Better for Women with PCOS?
Women with PCOS have to deal with a range of distressing symptoms including excessive facial and body hair (hirsutism) throughout their lives. Hirsutism is usually treated with anti-androgen medications and oral contraceptives. Long-lasting hair removal methods, such...
Hair Removal: What Can I Do about Ingrown Hairs?
Unwanted hair growth is a common dermatological problem, especially among women with PCOS, and there’s a need for a safe, inexpensive, and non-invasive method of removing hair on a long-term basis. While plucking and shaving are the safest and simplest way to manage...
Finding Support with PCOS
PCOS is a complex condition that affects many aspects of a person's health and their life. Researchers revealed that it may also have psychological consequences. Finding support with PCOS, though challenging, can be rewarding. PCOS awareness and support organizations...
Talking to a Therapist about PCOS
Receiving the diagnosis of PCOS is often very difficult. PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility and women with this condition may need fertility treatments to conceive. Symptoms of PCOS such as severe acne, weight gain, and hirsutism can also have a big...
PCOS and Mental Health: How to Better Manage Anxiety and Depression
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a common endocrine disorder that includes symptoms such as obesity, irregular periods, excess hair growth, acne, and infertility, can also lead to mental health problems including anxiety and depression. Empowering yourself and...
PCOS and Self-Love: How to Boost Your Self-Confidence
Self-love is an important positive factor that can influence our lives in a lot of ways. It is the key to a healthy mind and wellbeing. But having PCOS often makes it difficult for women to see themselves in a positive light. Learn how to boost your self-confidence,...
Are You Struggling to Get Pregnant with PCOS? How a Fertility Expert Could Help
About 80–90% of women who suffer from infertility are not ovulating (anovulation), a common consequence of PCOS. During the last decades, the evaluation and treatment of infertility have improved dramatically. It is estimated that 70 out of 100 couples referred to...
How a Dietitian Can Help You Better Manage Your PCOS Symptoms
As you may have heard, diet can have a big impact on PCOS: Weight loss is often mentioned as one of the first actions to take for women with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) who are overweight. Healthy eating and more physical activity can help with weight loss, and...
Is Miscarriage More Common for Women with PCOS?
Getting pregnant can be a very exciting time for women with PCOS. You may have heard that for women with PCOS, the risk to miscarry is higher than for those without the syndrome. While this may sound alarming, we want to make sure you know why this is the case, and...
How PCOS Can Affect Your Menstruation and Ovulation
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can have many effects on your menstruation, such as missed or irregular periods, prolonged and heavy periods, as well as painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea). Your menstrual cycle is closely connected to your ovulation, and without...
What Supplements Are Recommended for PCOS?
You probably heard that nutritional supplements can help with PCOS. However, there is a lot of misinformation out there that may persuade you to make a purchase, often based on half-truths and exaggerated claims. Always consult with your doctor first before taking any...
Getting Pregnant with PCOS: Is it Really That Hard?
If you want to get pregnant and have PCOS, you may have a lot of questions.The good news is that it’s possible to get pregnant even if you are diagnosed with PCOS. However, it can take longer for a woman with PCOS to conceive compared to a woman without PCOS. Why is...
The PCOS Diet: What to Eat & What to Avoid
Healthy eating is one of your key weapons in fighting polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Despite many claims, there is no miracle diet for PCOS, but you have to find out what works best for your body. An optimal diet must be calorie-appropriate and nutritionally...
PCOS & Hormones: Everything You Need to Know
Hormones play a big role in PCOS: Even though the exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is not fully identified yet, it's thought to be related to an imbalance in the hormones in the brain and the ovaries. But what exactly is the role of hormones in PCOS?...
Pregnant with PCOS – Here’s Everything You Need to Know
For many women with PCOS, getting pregnant is a major step and a reason to celebrate! While the challenges of PCOS persist with pregnancy, there are measures you can take to increase your chances of a normal pregnancy. Especially during pregnancy, it’s essential to...
What Medication is Usually Prescribed for Women with PCOS?
Which options are there to treat PCOS? There currently is no cure for PCOS, but there are medications that can help improve the symptoms you might be experiencing. For women who have a mild form of PCOS, with fewer symptoms and risk factors, losing weight through diet...
How Is PCOS Diagnosed?
How is a Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) diagnosed? PCOS has varying symptoms and may look like many other medical conditions, which is why it’s so important that all the different symptoms are assessed. Since there is no single test to get diagnosed with PCOS, other...
PCOS 101: Everything You Need to Know
If you are confused about your PCOS diagnosis or PCOS in general, you are not alone. Science still doesn’t have a complete understanding of how the syndrome develops. PCOS is more common than you think, affecting between 5% and 20% of women between the ages of 15 to...
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