PCOS and other health conditions

PMOS is a complex condition that affects different systems in the body.

It’s hard to tell the difference between causes, symptoms and associated conditions.

Women with PMOS are at higher risk of conditions relating to:

• the heart
• metabolism
• the reproductive system
• mental health.

It’s important to understand the risks. But if you have risk factors, it doesn’t mean you will develop these conditions.

Insulin resistance affects between 44% and 85% of women with PMOS. It’s involved in many aspects of PMOS. Insulin resistance may be a co-occurring condition, a cause of PMOS or a result of PMOS.

Women with PMOS are more likely to have problems with glucose tolerance and develop type 2 diabetes, regardless of their age and body mass index (BMI).

Women with type 1 and 2 diabetes also have a higher risk of PMOS.

Women with PMOS may have:

• higher weight
• glucose intolerance
• hypertension
• type 2 diabetes
• metabolic syndrome.

This can increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

A heavier weight, having infrequent periods and type 2 diabetes are all linked to endometrial cancer risk. They are also commonly associated with PMOS.

Women with PMOS are almost 10 times more likely to have sleep apnoea than women without PMOS. A heavier weight and disrupted hormonal systems may contribute to sleep apnoea.

Women with PMOS are more likely to experience depression, anxiety, low self-esteem and negative body image. This may be due to physical symptoms of PMOS, for example, excess hair and weight. In some cases, mental health can worsen with the use of certain hormone medicines.

Psychological conditions can make it hard for women to follow a healthy lifestyle plan and self-manage symptoms of PMOS.

Women with PMOS are more likely to have risk factors for eating disorders, including:

• higher weight
• depression
• anxiety
• low self-esteem
• poor body image.

Disordered eating, for example, binge eating, are more common in women with PMOS, but they often go undiagnosed.

For more information about eating disorders, visit the Butterfly Foundation website.