Conditions we treat
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal conditions in women of reproductive age. It can cause irregular or missed periods, acne, extra facial or body hair, scalp hair thinning, and difficulty getting pregnant, and it is closely linked to insulin resistance. In 2026, an international consensus announced a new name, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), to reflect that this is a whole-body hormonal and metabolic condition. Both names are being used during a transition period.
10–13%
of reproductive-aged women are affected by PCOS
Up to 70%
of women with PCOS worldwide don’t know they have it
More than half
of women with PCOS develop type 2 diabetes by age 40
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PCOS involves a combination of higher-than-normal androgens (hormones such as testosterone), irregular ovulation, and, for many people, insulin resistance. These features feed each other: high insulin levels can push the ovaries to make more androgens, which in turn disrupts ovulation.
The old name suggested the ovaries are full of abnormal cysts, but that isn’t accurate; the small “cysts” sometimes seen on ultrasound are actually immature follicles. Announced in The Lancet in May 2026, the new name aims to reduce missed diagnoses and highlight the condition’s effects on metabolism, mental health, and reproduction, according to the Endocrine Society.
Symptoms vary widely from person to person and can change over time. They may include:
The exact cause of PCOS isn’t known, but it tends to run in families, and insulin resistance plays a central role for many people. Weight can influence symptoms, but PCOS also occurs in people with a lean build.
Several other conditions can cause similar symptoms, so a careful evaluation checks for them before confirming PCOS. These include thyroid disorders, high prolactin levels from the pituitary gland, non-classic congenital adrenal hyperplasia, and, rarely, Cushing’s syndrome or androgen-producing tumors.
Testing usually includes androgen levels, TSH, prolactin, and other hormones to exclude look-alike conditions, plus glucose and cholesterol tests to check metabolic health. In teens, diagnosis requires both irregular periods and signs of high androgens, because ultrasound isn’t recommended for diagnosis within eight years of the first period.
In adults, PCOS is diagnosed when other causes have been excluded and at least two of these are present:
As the World Health Organization notes, there is no cure for PCOS, but treatment can relieve symptoms, support fertility, and lower long-term health risks. Your plan should match your priorities, which may change over time. Options include:
Balanced nutrition and regular activity; for people with excess weight, even modest weight loss can improve cycles and metabolic health, and weight-management medicines may be considered for some adults
Regulates periods, reduces acne and hair growth, and protects the uterine lining
Can improve insulin resistance and metabolic health, alone or with other treatments
Letrozole is the first-line medicine to help trigger ovulation, often coordinated with a fertility specialist
Laser hair removal, topical treatments, and dermatology care
We start by confirming the diagnosis and excluding conditions that mimic PCOS. Then we look at the whole picture, including glucose tolerance, cholesterol, blood pressure, liver health, sleep, and mood, because these often matter as much as the symptoms that brought you in.
Together we set priorities, whether that’s regular cycles, clearer skin, weight management, fertility planning, or long-term prevention, and adjust treatment at follow-up visits, many of which can be virtual. We coordinate with your gynecologist, fertility specialist, dermatologist, and primary care doctor. Book a hormone consultation to get a clear plan.
PCOS significantly raises the risk of type 2 diabetes; according to the CDC, more than half of women with PCOS develop type 2 diabetes by age 40. It is also linked to gestational diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, and endometrial hyperplasia or cancer when periods are very infrequent.
Regular screening helps catch problems early. Current guidelines recommend checking glucose every one to three years, often with an oral glucose tolerance test, along with blood pressure, cholesterol, and emotional well-being. Healthy routines built now can pay off for decades.
Experts and patients agreed the old name was misleading because it focused on ovarian cysts, which are not the defining feature of the condition. The new name, polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, announced in May 2026, highlights its hormonal and metabolic effects. Both names are being used during a transition period, and the name change itself does not change the care you receive.
Yes. Ovarian ultrasound findings are only one of three possible diagnostic features, and adults need just two to be diagnosed. Many people with PCOS have normal-looking ovaries. The small “cysts” sometimes seen on ultrasound are actually immature follicles rather than true cysts, which is one reason the condition was renamed.
There is no cure, but symptoms and long-term risks can be managed effectively. Treatment can regulate periods, reduce acne and unwanted hair, support fertility, and lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Because priorities change over time, from managing cycles to planning a pregnancy, your treatment plan should be reviewed periodically with your clinician.
Many people with PCOS become pregnant, some naturally and others with treatment. Letrozole is the first-line medicine for helping trigger ovulation, and other fertility options are available through a specialist. Before trying to conceive, it helps to check glucose, blood pressure, and thyroid function, since PCOS increases the risk of gestational diabetes.
Irregular periods naturally end at menopause, but the metabolic side of PCOS, including insulin resistance and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease, can continue. Ongoing screening for glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol remains important after menopause, as do staying active and maintaining healthy habits.
Last reviewed September 19, 2026. This page is educational and is not a substitute for personal medical advice — see our medical disclaimer.
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