Are you having irregular periods, weight gain, problems with conception, or persistent breakouts? Even if these signs are caused by other factors, they can equally indicate Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), which used to be called Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), one of the most frequent disorders of the endocrine system that affects a woman of her reproductive age.
PMOS or PCOS can affect menstruation, conception, metabolic processes, and overall health. However, some women may have to live with the condition for years without any diagnosis, as there can be a wide range of symptoms depending on each particular case.
What is PCOS (now termed PMOS)?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is a hormonal condition where hormonal messaging goes awry, leading to high amounts of androgens (a male hormone) and other hormonal imbalances, which means that PCOS impacts the functioning of the ovaries. And this means that a woman suffering from PCOS can suffer from irregular and/or scanty periods, pain including painful menstrual bleeding, irregular or absent ovulation, altered hair growth – either increased facial/body hair or hair thinning on the scalp, oily skin, acne, and/or ovarian cysts.
It is one of the most common causes of irregular periods and infertility. The irregular menstruation in women with PCOS increases their chances of developing endometrial hyperplasia/ endometrial cancer.
PCOS is a metabolic syndrome that continues into adulthood and has a lifelong prognosis of insulin resistance, diabetes and obesity.
The three major characteristics of PCOS include:
- Ovarian cysts: Small cysts, or sacs, form inside the ovaries. These sacs are actually known as follicles, and they contain one egg. Most follicles do not develop enough to trigger ovulation. You might not get ovarian cysts to have PCOS.
- High levels of androgen hormones: You ovulate regularly, but, the ovaries produce high levels of androgens, and then, the hormones affect ovulation or may lead to irregular periods and conception.
- Low levels of progesterone: Hormonal imbalances occur when you don't ovulate and affect the concentration of estrogen, progesterone, FSH, and LH hormones.
PCOS can start as early as during adolescence but is most commonly diagnosed when women struggle to get pregnant.
Currently, there is no absolute cure for PCOS, but lifestyle changes, medications, and fertility treatments can reduce symptoms, increase fertility rates, and protect longer-term health.
Common Symptoms of PCOS
The symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome may differ from one woman suffering from the disease to another. Some women suffer from very strong symptoms, whereas other women may have weak symptoms or no symptoms at all. If two of the following symptoms occur, then PCOS is suspected:
- Irregular menstrual periods: Irregular menstrual periods are the most common symptoms of PCOS, where the absence of releasing eggs from the ovaries as well as a thickened uterine lining may cause women to have less than eight periods per year or irregular bleeding.
- Heavy bleeding: The thickened uterine lining may cause very heavy bleeding during periods.
- Hair loss and growth of excess hair: According to the US Department of Health & Human Services (2025), up to 70% of women with PCOS suffer from hirsutism, meaning that excess hair grows on their body and face.
- Acne: This condition causes high amounts of male sex hormones, resulting in oily skin and acne outbreaks mostly found in the face, neck, chest, and upper back.
- Changes in body weight: This condition may result in some kind of weight change for about four out of five affected by PCOS where weight gain occurs (although this can vary from one group to another based on geographical location), although it is harder to lose weight.
- Dark skin pigmentation (Acanthosis Nigricans): Darker, thick patches may occur on the back of the neck and underarm areas and the groin regions.
- Ovarian cysts: PCOS may cause ovarian cysts or formation of small sacs on the ovaries. Some symptoms caused by PCOS include irregular menstrual cycles, absence of menstrual cycles, or having longer than usual menstrual cycles.
- Skin Tags: Small, excess growths of skin, typically in the armpits or neck, can occur.
- Infertility: PCOS can be a significant cause of infertility, as irregular ovulation can make it harder to conceive.
- Mood changes or mental health issues: This may occur due to the imbalance of hormones and physical signs, hence causing some mood changes, stress, depression, and bipolar disorder.
What Causes PCOS?
The exact cause of PCOS is still not known, but most experts believe that several factors contribute to its occurrence
- Insulin resistance: Insulin helps cells absorb glucose. In Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, cells may not react to insulin properly. Because of that, blood sugar levels will become too high.
- Genetics: There are studies showing that there might be genes connected with PCOS. For example, people whose relatives have had PCOS might also get this syndrome.
- High levels of androgens: high levels of androgens do not let ovaries release eggs each month; hence, women suffer from irregular menstrual cycles. Moreover, such a condition results in the formation of several cysts on the ovaries. Also, high levels of androgens can cause acne and unwanted hair in females.
- Chronic low-grade inflammation: This inflammation is caused by the immune system reaction to any damage to the body. Several studies have proved that PCOS patients experience constant inflammation that increases the secretion of testosterone in ovaries. In other words, this hormone provokes cardiovascular diseases.
- Certain lifestyle factors: although lifestyle factors do not directly cause PCOS, they may play a role in the severity of the symptoms and your overall health outcomes.
How is PCOS diagnosed?
Usually, the doctor is able to diagnose PCOS on the basis of a discussion of your symptoms during the examination.
Generally speaking, an expert usually does the following:
- Takes into account your symptoms and medical history.
- Takes into consideration the medical history of your biological family.
- Considers your weight and blood pressure.
- Performs a physical examination, which includes the checking up of excess facial hair, hair loss, acne, discolored skin, and skin tags.
- Carries out the examination of the pelvic area to eliminate other possible causes of abnormal bleeding.
- Orders blood test results that provide information about hormone and glucose levels in your blood.
- Carries out the examination of the pelvic area by means of ultrasound to see your ovaries and to rule out other causes of abnormal bleeding.
Treatment options for PCOS
Even though there is currently no absolute cure for PCOS, the condition can often be managed successfully with appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes.
Lifestyle Changes
In case you have PCOS, relax because everything depends on your new lifestyle which will assist you to control the weight, insulin, and menstruation problems.
Diet: The importance of a low glycemic index (GI) diet should not be underestimated since it can normalize blood glucose level and minimize insulin resistance. A 2019 study devoted to the impact of a low carbohydrate diet for women with PCOS indicated that such diet can result in weight loss, minimize insulin resistance, total and LDL cholesterol. Furthermore, its use for a period of more than 4 weeks can contribute to increased FSH level, reduction of testosterone and elevation of sex hormone-binding globulin.
Exercise: Any form of physical exercise is beneficial for women suffering from PCOS since it promotes weight loss and regulation of hormones, also improves mood.
Weight loss: A small amount of weight loss helps alleviate symptoms such as irregular menstruation and insulin resistance. The significance of a small loss is proved by the results of numerous studies.
Medications
If lifestyle changes are not enough, medications can help regulate the menstrual cycle and treat PCOS symptoms like hair growth and acne.
Birth control pills: Progestin taken every day will assist in the balance of hormones, regulate the ovulation process, treat conditions like excessive hair growth, and reduce the risk of developing endometrial cancer.
Insulin Sensitizer Drugs: These are diabetes-related drugs such as Metformin which are capable of enhancing the way the body processes insulin in the body leading to regulated ovulation.
Ovulation-inducing drugs: They include medications like Clomiphene which are fertility drugs, capable of assisting someone to conceive through the regulation of their menstrual cycle.
Androgen Blockers: Some of these drugs are capable of blocking androgens and this assists in controlling hair growth and acne. For hair growth issues, there are other prescription topical creams and lasers that can be applied to remove hair.
Can PCOS Be Managed Successfully?
Yes. Although PCOS is a chronic condition, several people with PCOS live healthily. Diagnosis and timely management of PCOS can help in preventing complications like infertility, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, obesity, depression, etc. Once diagnosed, regular consultations with a doctor are important to ensure appropriate management.
When Should You See a Gynecologist?
You may want to seek a gynecologist's opinion if you have one or more of the following:
- Irregular or missed periods with heavy flow
- Problems with conception
- Excessive hair growth on your face or body
- Unremitting acne that is not responding to any treatment
- Unexplainable weight fluctuations
- Any problems that have an impact on your physical or psychological wellbeing
Seeking medical advice early can help identify the cause of your symptoms and ensure timely treatment.
Take the Next Step Toward Better Health
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects millions of women across the world, and it is a very common hormonal problem where different women exhibit different symptoms. Though there are numerous negative consequences that result from having PCOS symptoms, there is actually a cure for this disease.
In case you experience any PCOS symptoms such as irregular periods, weight gain or loss, acne and problems conceiving, seek medical attention from your gynecologist to find out your health situation concerning this problem.
It is now possible to have a consultation on this matter from your own apartment using video conferencing with a doctor!
