PCOS is often accompanied by hormone-related symptoms such as acne, hirsutism (facial hair), amenorrhea (irregular menstrual cycles), and even infertility. The infographic on the right shows some of the most common symptoms associated with PCOS.
Around 50-80% of women with PCOS also have what is called ‘insulin resistance’ (you can read more about insulin resistance and PCOS on our Resources page). This can contribute to weight gain and an increased risk of conditions such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in the longer term.
Unfortunately, the name itself is a bit of a misnomer, because not all women who suffer from PCOS experience cysts on their ovaries. It is also often assumed that PCOS only affects women who are overweight. However, there is growing evidence that PCOS also affects women who are lean.
Here, the prevalence of insulin resistance is thought to be markedly lower (around 6-22%).