PCOS
PCOS
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal conditions, affecting around 1 in 10 women of reproductive age.
It is associated with increased levels of two hormones in the body – insulin and androgens (male-type hormones) the impact of these two hormones can be far reaching, with the potential to affect many systems of the body. These changes can disrupt ovulation and throw off menstrual cycles, affect skin and hair, influence mood, and metabolism.
It does not look the same for everyone and symptoms can vary widely. Because of this, many women go undiagnosed, or have their individual symptoms managed without looking for the underlying cause.
Common symptoms include:
- Irregular or missed periods
- Acne, particularly along the jawline or chin
- Excess hair growth on the face or body (hirsutism)
- Scalp hair thinning (androgenic alopecia)
- Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Cravings, energy dips, or signs of insulin resistance
- Mood changes, anxiety or depression
- Difficulty falling pregnant
Diagnosing PCOS
The term polycystic ovarian syndrome is a little confusing because you don’t need to have ‘cysts’ on your ovaries to have PCOS (nor does everyone with this finding on ultrasound have PCOS: for a diagnosis this finding must occur alongside other features). Note that the term polycystic is misleading because those “cysts” are actually arrested follicles (immature eggs that have not developed or been released during ovulation)
The most widely used framework for diagnosing PCOS is called the Rotterdam criteria.
According to this guideline, you only need two out of three of the following three features for a diagnosis:
- Irregular or absent ovulation signalled by infrequent or missing periods
- Signs of excess androgens that show up either as:
- Symptoms like acne, facial/body hair OR
- Elevated androgen levels on blood tests
- Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound where the ovaries show multiple small, underdeveloped follicles.
For many women, receiving a diagnosis of PCOS can bring relief. Suddenly, symptoms that once felt confusing or disconnected—such as irregular cycles, skin and hair changes, or struggles with weight—start to make sense.
But a diagnosis is just the starting point. Understanding PCOS opens the door to targeted treatment and ongoing support that can ease everyday symptoms and help prevent more serious health issues down the track. Untreated PCOS can be associated with long-term health risks like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and endometrial cancer but with early intervention and personalised care, the outlook these risks can be managed.
At ALLY Health, we’re committed to seeing the full picture. We provide evidence-based, compassionate care designed to support you at every step—from getting a clear diagnosis to creating a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle and goals.
