Lorraine Kelly
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome affects around one in ten women of childbearing age, yet for a condition so common, it still manages to lurk in the long grass like a badly behaved tee shot no one wants to admit they hit.
PCOS is not rare. It is not niche. It is not something that only matters when someone is trying for a baby. It is a hormonal and metabolic condition that can affect periods, skin, hair growth, weight, fertility and long-term health.
And yet, many people only hear about it after years of symptoms, frustration, confusion and the kind of late-night Googling that never improves anyone’s blood pressure.
With September marking PCOS Awareness Month, it is worth cutting through the fog and dealing with the questions people are actually asking.
What Is PCOS?
PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
Despite the name, it does not mean the ovaries are packed with harmful cysts. That particular bit of medical branding has done about as much for public understanding as naming a bunker “a sand-based happiness zone”.
In PCOS, the ovaries may become enlarged and contain small fluid-filled sacs called follicles. These are not cysts in the way many people imagine. They are underdeveloped sacs where eggs would usually develop.
In people with PCOS, those follicles may not release eggs properly, which can interfere with ovulation. That is one reason the condition can affect fertility.
PCOS is also linked with hormonal imbalance and metabolism problems. These can influence how the ovaries work, how the body handles insulin, and how much androgen — often described as a “male” hormone — is present in the body.
Who Does Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Affect?
PCOS can affect anyone with ovaries and may appear at any age after puberty.
It is most often noticed in women in their 20s and 30s, particularly when periods become irregular or when someone begins trying to conceive. But the condition can be present long before that point.
That is part of the problem.
Some symptoms are subtle. Some are mistaken for “normal” hormonal changes. Some are dismissed entirely. And because Polycystic Ovary Syndrome often goes undiagnosed, the true number of people affected may be higher than official estimates suggest.
The condition can affect people from all ethnic backgrounds. However, risk may be higher if there is a family history of PCOS or if someone is living with obesity.
What Causes PCOS?
There is no single confirmed cause of PCOS. That would be too convenient, and medicine, like golf, rarely hands out clean lies.
Genetics appears to play a role, meaning PCOS may run in families. Hormonal imbalance is also central to the condition.
Two major factors are often involved.
The first is higher-than-average insulin levels. Insulin helps control blood sugar, but many people with PCOS develop insulin resistance, meaning the body has to produce more insulin to do the same job. Over time, this can increase the risk of type 2 diabetes, especially in those who are overweight or obese.
The second is higher-than-average levels of androgens. These hormones can interfere with ovulation and may also contribute to symptoms such as acne and excess hair growth.
Common Symptoms Of PCOS
PCOS does not present the same way in everyone. Some people experience several symptoms. Others may have very few. Some may have no obvious signs at all.
That makes awareness vital.
One of the most common symptoms is irregular periods. People with PCOS may miss periods, have only a few periods each year, or stop having periods altogether.
Acne can also be a sign, particularly when it appears on the face, chest or upper back.
Excess hair growth, known as hirsutism, is another major symptom. It can affect around 70 per cent of people with PCOS and often appears on areas such as the face or chin.
At the other end of the hair-growth spectrum, some people experience thinning hair or hair loss, similar to male-pattern baldness.
Weight gain can also occur, as can difficulty losing weight. This is often tied to the metabolic side of the condition, particularly insulin resistance.
Other possible signs include skin tags, especially around the neck or armpits, and darker patches of skin around the neck creases, groin or under the breasts.
None of these symptoms alone proves someone has PCOS. But together, they can form a pattern that deserves proper medical attention.
How Is PCOS Diagnosed?
There is no single test for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
That is one reason diagnosis can take time. A person may see a doctor with irregular periods, acne, weight changes or fertility concerns, but PCOS is not always immediately recognised.
Diagnosis usually involves a combination of assessments. These may include a physical examination, a pelvic examination, blood tests and a pelvic ultrasound, sometimes called a sonogram.
Doctors will also look to rule out other conditions that may cause similar symptoms.
If more than one strong indicator is present, and other causes are excluded, PCOS may be diagnosed.
This is why PCOS Awareness Month matters. The more people understand the signs, the more likely they are to seek help early rather than quietly battling through symptoms and blaming themselves.
Can PCOS Be Cured?
PCOS cannot currently be cured.
That may sound blunt, but it is not the end of the story. The condition can be managed, often very effectively, with the right medical guidance and a personalised plan.
Treatment depends on symptoms, goals and overall health. For someone focused on regulating periods, the approach may differ from someone trying to conceive or someone managing acne, excess hair growth or insulin resistance.
Lifestyle changes may also help, particularly around weight management, blood sugar control, nutrition and physical activity. Medication may be recommended in some cases.
The keyword is personalised. PCOS is not a one-size-fits-all condition, and it should not be treated like one.
PCOS And Fertility: What To Know
PCOS can affect fertility because it may interfere with ovulation. If eggs are not being released regularly, becoming pregnant can be more difficult.
That does not mean pregnancy is impossible, far from it.
Many people with PCOS do conceive and have healthy pregnancies. But planning and medical support matter.
PCOS can also increase the risk of pregnancy complications, including miscarriage. Anyone with PCOS who is planning to become pregnant should speak with a healthcare professional to discuss weight, blood sugar levels, folic acid and a pregnancy plan tailored to their needs.
It is not about panic. It is about preparation.
Why Talking About PCOS Still Matters
For a condition that affects so many people, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome still sits far too quietly in the corner.
The symptoms can be physical, emotional and deeply personal. Irregular periods can be unsettling. Acne and excess hair growth can affect confidence. Fertility concerns can be devastating. Weight changes can become a daily battle, especially when people are wrongly told to simply “try harder”.
That sort of advice is about as useful as a chocolate putter.
PCOS deserves better conversation, better awareness and better diagnosis.
Anyone who recognises the symptoms should speak to a GP or healthcare professional. Not because every irregular period is PCOS, and not because every breakout needs a blood test, but because persistent symptoms deserve proper attention.
The more openly PCOS is discussed, the fewer people will be left wondering whether what they are experiencing is normal, imagined or something they simply have to endure.
It is common. It is manageable. And it should never be suffered in silence.
