How PCOS Affects Your Health and Fertility

How PCOS Affects Your Health and Fertility: The Facts Every Woman Should Know

By Dr Saleem Khan MBBS, DOWH, MRCOG, Dip- Psy-sextherapy, FRCOG

How Does PCOS Affect Your Health and Fertility?

When many women hear the term Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), they often think it only affects their periods or their ability to get pregnant. However, PCOS is much more than a reproductive condition.

It is a complex hormonal and metabolic disorder that can affect almost every aspect of a woman’s health—from hormones and fertility to heart health, mental wellbeing and long-term disease risk.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), PCOS affects approximately 8–13% of women of reproductive age, yet up to 70% remain undiagnosed. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can significantly improve symptoms while reducing long-term health risks.

At Khans Medical Services, our consultant-led women’s health clinic provides comprehensive assessment and personalised treatment plans to help women manage PCOS and protect their future health.

PCOS Is More Than a Gynaecological Condition

PCOS is now recognised as a whole-body condition.

The hormonal imbalance affects several organs, including:

Ovaries
Brain
Pancreas
Liver
Fat tissue
Skin
Heart and blood vessels

This explains why symptoms vary greatly from one woman to another.

How PCOS Affects Hormones

Women with PCOS often have:

Increased androgen (“male hormone”) levels
Irregular ovulation
Higher insulin levels
Hormonal imbalance

These changes may result in:

Irregular periods
Missed periods
Acne
Excess facial or body hair
Hair thinning
Difficulty becoming pregnant

Insulin Resistance and Diabetes

One of the most important health effects of PCOS is insulin resistance.

Research shows that approximately 35–50% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance, even if they are not overweight.

When the body becomes resistant to insulin:

Blood sugar rises
More insulin is produced
Higher insulin stimulates the ovaries to produce more androgens
Hormonal imbalance worsens

Women with PCOS have a significantly higher lifetime risk of developing:

Prediabetes
Type 2 diabetes
Metabolic syndrome

This is why blood sugar screening is recommended for many women diagnosed with PCOS.

Weight Gain and Difficulty Losing Weight

Many women with PCOS find it difficult to lose weight.

Hormonal imbalance and insulin resistance can contribute to:

Increased abdominal fat
Slower metabolism
Increased appetite
Difficulty maintaining weight loss

Importantly, PCOS is not caused by being overweight, and many women with PCOS have a healthy body weight. However, excess weight can worsen symptoms.

Studies have shown that losing just 5–10% of body weight in women who are overweight can improve hormone levels, restore ovulation in many cases and reduce the risk of long-term complications.

PCOS and Heart Health

PCOS is associated with an increased risk of several cardiovascular risk factors, including:

High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Elevated triglycerides
Obesity
Insulin resistance

While not every woman with PCOS will develop heart disease, regular monitoring of blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar is recommended as part of long-term care.

PCOS and Mental Health

PCOS can have a significant impact on emotional wellbeing.

Women living with PCOS are more likely to experience:

Anxiety
Depression
Reduced self-confidence
Poor body image
Stress related to infertility

Hormonal changes, physical symptoms and concerns about fertility may all contribute to mental health challenges.

Seeking support is an important part of holistic PCOS care.

How PCOS Affects Fertility

One of the most common concerns for women with PCOS is whether they will be able to have children.

The encouraging answer is yes.

PCOS is the most common cause of ovulation-related infertility.

Approximately 70–80% of women with PCOS experience difficulty conceiving because they ovulate irregularly or not at all.

Without regular ovulation, pregnancy becomes more difficult.

However, this does not mean pregnancy is impossible.

Can Women with PCOS Get Pregnant Naturally?

Absolutely.

Many women with PCOS conceive naturally.

Others may benefit from:

Lifestyle changes
Weight management
Ovulation induction medication
Fertility monitoring
Specialist fertility care

Current international evidence suggests that approximately 70–85% of women with PCOS can achieve pregnancy without IVF when they receive appropriate treatment.

Early assessment significantly improves the chances of successful conception.

Pregnancy Risks Associated with PCOS

Women with PCOS who become pregnant may have a slightly increased risk of:

Gestational diabetes
High blood pressure
Pre-eclampsia
Miscarriage
Preterm birth

These risks vary between individuals and can often be reduced through good pre-pregnancy preparation, healthy lifestyle choices and consultant-led antenatal care.

Can PCOS Be Treated?

There is currently no cure for PCOS, but there are many effective treatments.

Treatment is tailored to each woman’s symptoms and future plans.

Management may include:

Healthy eating
Regular exercise
Weight management
Hormonal treatments
Medications to regulate periods
Blood sugar management
Fertility treatment when pregnancy is desired

The earlier treatment begins, the better the long-term outcomes.

When Should You Seek Medical Advice?

Arrange an assessment if you experience:

Irregular or absent periods
Difficulty becoming pregnant
Weight gain with irregular cycles
Excess facial or body hair
Persistent acne
Hair thinning
A family history of PCOS

Early diagnosis allows treatment to begin before complications develop.

How Khans Medical Services Can Help

At Khans Medical Services, we provide consultant-led, evidence-based care for women with PCOS.

Our services include:

Comprehensive PCOS assessment
Hormonal blood tests
Fertility assessment
Lifestyle and weight management advice
Personalised treatment plans
Ovulation assessment
Pre-conception counselling
Long-term health monitoring

Our aim is not only to improve your symptoms but also to protect your long-term health and maximise your fertility potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does every woman with PCOS have fertility problems?

No. While approximately 70–80% of women with PCOS experience ovulation-related infertility, many conceive naturally or with simple fertility treatments.

Can PCOS increase the risk of diabetes?

Yes. Insulin resistance affects approximately 35–50% of women with PCOS, increasing the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Does losing weight improve PCOS?

For women who are overweight, losing 5–10% of body weight can improve hormone balance, restore ovulation and improve fertility.

Is PCOS a lifelong condition?

Yes. Although there is no cure, symptoms can usually be managed successfully with lifestyle changes and personalised medical care.

Why Choose Khans Medical Services?

Consultant-led women’s health clinic
More than 30 years of clinical experience
Evidence-based care
Individualised treatment plans
Fertility expertise
Hormone health specialists
Compassionate and discreet consultations
Convenient appointments in MediaCity, Manchester

Book Your PCOS Consultation

If you’re experiencing irregular periods, hormonal symptoms or difficulty conceiving, don’t wait.

Early diagnosis and specialist care can improve your health, restore ovulation and increase your chances of a healthy pregnancy.

Book a consultant-led PCOS assessment at Khans Medical Services and take control of your health today.

References

This article is based on current evidence and guidance from:

World Health Organization (WHO)
International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (2023)
European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE)
American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM)
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)
Fertility clinic Manchester
Consultant gynaecologist Manchester
Women’s health clinic
PCOS pregnancy
PCOS diabetes risk
Private PCOS clinic Manchester