5 most commonly asked questions on PCOS

Written by: Mantasha Reviewed by: Dr. Swati Mishra

[{"selector":"#anim-20e3da6a-3774-4103-b16c-a2bee1077319","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8ea3f8b5-2209-418a-863c-5ffc3d11ee2b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 118.73736%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder that affects many women, especially during their reproductive years. It can lead to a range of symptoms, including irregular periods, weight gain, and fertility challenges. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

[{"selector":"#anim-e1357cb8-4aa9-4a2a-a790-f8d2a739d7f2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d29ff93a-c6f1-47e9-8191-735910179030","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 134.39876%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Here are the five most commonly asked questions about PCOS to help you better understand this condition and how it can impact your health. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Who Can Get PCOS?

[{"selector":"#anim-e9283810-dfe3-44b6-9e77-183052cd31cb","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-683317b9-fea0-44d6-8783-018628271502","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 127.61535%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9410bd1a-43a1-4ffa-bb98-10b94fa1472e","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-943c75f3-67db-474f-830b-2a53f94b235b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 672.83992%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) can affect women of reproductive age, typically from their late teens to early 40s. It can occur in women of any race or ethnicity. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Can Being Overweight Cause PCOS?

[{"selector":"#anim-46910b5a-47b5-463c-bcae-090d8cb36a64","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d9d07245-33bc-4cac-b2b7-9977ae479b48","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 127.61535%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-97b487bb-3eaf-4f5f-ac13-f3f60d8951ee","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a7234a03-306a-4f61-b31c-a4fa52629969","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 404.73842%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Being overweight does not directly cause PCOS, but it can worsen symptoms. On the other hand, PCOS can make it harder to maintain a healthy weight due to hormonal imbalances. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Can You Conceive With PCOS?

[{"selector":"#anim-6d8bd634-ff0c-49c6-bd69-c5e1545b84db","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d1b2cdc7-8c5a-40b1-8d3e-7a9b5422debf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 129.36975%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e42243c6-50b0-4890-ac1b-40382d19fee5","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-d62bdbf1-365a-494d-9e26-2f76485a46bb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 412.27210%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Yes, women with PCOS can conceive, but it might be more challenging. Lifestyle changes, medications, and fertility treatments can help improve the chances of conception. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

What Health Problems Can PCOS Lead To?

[{"selector":"#anim-02386b61-b786-4c15-bbc9-66e353890605","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6985f47a-a189-48a8-a278-f2aec1c86728","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 127.61535%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-da9b9d70-47a4-478c-86cb-18e1e04a564f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-55d8b024-dd97-4226-b5c3-4b55aa8703fd","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 407.79455%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] PCOS can increase the risk of several health issues, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and endometrial cancer. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

Can PCOS Be Treated?

[{"selector":"#anim-91c79559-873f-4749-b30b-acb86dd70999","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e162865c-a4a5-4082-b608-95204763ce6c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 127.61535%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1425f7a0-c0c1-4215-aef2-a06f18d057ae","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1ff81789-ab1c-4aad-b04d-679dbec1d54e","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 675.61766%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] PCOS is not a disorder, it is a condition which can be managed with a combination of healthy lifestyle changes, medications, and, in some cases, surgery. Photo Credit: Shutterstock