Category: PCOS

Yes. Many women with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), now called Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) conceive naturally. Others need medical support. Either way, a diagnosis is not a barrier to pregnancy. Around 1 in 10 women in the UK have PCOS. If you’ve just been diagnosed, you’ve probably heard frightening things.  That PCOS means infertility. That pregnancy will be impossible without IVF.  None of that is true. PCOS affects how your ovaries release an egg, but ovulation remains possible, and with the right approach, so does pregnancy. For the full step-by-step pathway, read our comprehensive guide on trying to conceive with PCOS. For tracking methods when cycles are unpredictable, read how to track ovulation with PCOS. How does PCOS affect getting pregnant? PCOS affects how and how often your ovaries release an egg. Normally, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) prompts your ovaries to mature and release one egg each cycle. In PCOS, higher-than-usual androgens (like testosterone) can disrupt that signal, so several small follicles develop without one consistently maturing and releasing. Your body may not get the cue to ovulate, so the cycle stretches out or ovulation doesn’t happen that month. The result is variability, some people with PCOS ovulate regularly, some sporadically, and some not at all for a time. That’s what makes PCOS a fertility challenge rather than a barrier,  the difficulty is usually in the timing, not in whether pregnancy is possible. (Our PCOS explainer covers the wider condition in full.) So how hard is it to get pregnant if I have PCOS? Honestly, it can be harder, but it’s usually not impossible, and most people with PCOS do conceive, naturally or with help. The key thing is that “how hard” isn’t one answer: it depends entirely on how PCOS affects you. So the honest answer is: harder than average for many people, but the degree varies enormously, and for most it’s very much still possible. What makes the difference is knowing which situation you’re in, which comes down to one question: are you ovulating, and when? That single piece of information shapes everything about your next steps.  Hertility research found more than 41% of people trying to conceive couldn’t accurately identify their fertile window, and PCOS widens that gap,  you can’t assume day-14 ovulation after a 50-day cycle. If your cycles are unpredictable, our guide to tracking ovulation with PCOS covers the methods that actually work. If your cycles are irregular, you’re struggling to identify when you ovulate, or you simply want a clearer picture of what your hormones are doing, Hertility’s Advanced At-Home Hormone and Fertility Test can help you investigate what may be going on. Start with an Online Health Assessment, which personalises your hormone panel and screens for up to 18 conditions, including PCOS. You’ll get clinical-grade results alongside a doctor-written report, personalised Care Plan and Clinical Result Review Call, so you know what your results mean and what to do next. How to get pregnant with PCOS quickly There’s no shortcut to pregnancy itself, but there are ways to move things forward efficiently rather than spending months on approaches that aren’t working. The key is starting the investigation early, so you can escalate to medical support if required quickly. The single biggest lever is finding out whether you’re ovulating: if your cycles are irregular, you don’t necessarily need to wait the full 12 months advised for regular cycles. A hormone test can help confirm your PCOS and, crucially, establish if you are ovulating or not. If ovulation is happening, understanding your pattern helps you time things well; if it’s infrequent or absent, lifestyle changes are usually the first step, and where they aren’t enough, ovulation-induction medication can help, these are effective at getting many people with PCOS to ovulate, which is step one.  If you’re over 35, or you’ve already been trying for six months with irregular cycles, it’s reasonable to move towards medical support rather than waiting longer. The theme isn’t rushing, it’s getting clarity early and acting on it, rather than guessing. Our TTC guide walks through each treatment option in full. When should you seek help when trying to get pregnant with PCOS? Standard NHS advice is to seek support after 12 months of trying if you’re under 35, or after 6 months if you’re over 35. With PCOS it’s worth adjusting that, if your cycles are irregular or you go months without a period, waiting a full year can mean spending much of it not actually ovulating. It’s worth speaking to a GP or fertility specialist sooner if: Seeking advice early doesn’t commit you to treatment, it gives you clarity. The reassuring part is that PCOS is one of the more treatable causes of fertility difficulty, where ovulation needs support, there are well-established options, which our trying to conceive with PCOS guide explains in detail. And remember fertility involves both partners, if you’re trying with a male partner, a semen analysis early on means you’re seeing the whole picture, not just your health. How to get pregnant with PCOS and no period Absent periods usually mean you’re not ovulating, so natural conception is unlikely until that’s addressed, but it’s very treatable.  Start with proper investigation. Schedule a GP appointment and ask for hormone testing and a pelvic ultrasound. These confirm PCOS diagnosis but also rule out other causes of amenorrhea (thyroid disorders, prolactin issues, structural problems). Once you know what’s causing the absent periods, you know how to treat it. If PCOS is confirmed, there are several effective pathways to restore ovulation. This can involve a course of tablets or injections to stimulate the ovaries to release an egg that can be fertilised, either during intercourse or through intra-uterine insemination (IUI). If this doesn’t work, there may be other reasons why pregnancy can’t be achieved and more invasive treatments such as IVF may be needed. IVF involves a course of injections to stimulate the ovaries to produce multiple eggs. When they’re mature the eggs are retrieved in an ultrasound-guided procedure under […]

There’s no single best diet for PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, formerly known as PCOS). The 2023 international guideline finds no evidence that any one type of diet works better than another. What matters most is the overall quality of what you eat. That means meals built around fibre-rich carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats that keep your blood sugar steady, in a way you can stick with. Search “best diet for PCOS” and you’ll be met with a wall of extremes, cut carbs, go keto, ditch gluten, try fasting. It’s loud, it’s contradictory, and most of it isn’t backed by evidence. The good news is that having PMOS doesn’t mean you need an extreme or restrictive eating plan. Here’s what the evidence actually says about eating well with PMOS, and how to put it into practice. Quick facts: Why does what you eat matter so much with PMOS (PCOS)? PMOS is a hormonal and metabolic condition, not just an ovary problem. That’s why nutrition has such an effect on how you feel. For many people, PMOS is closely linked to insulin resistance. Insulin is the hormone that helps your body use glucose (sugar) from food for energy. With insulin resistance, your cells respond less well to insulin, so your body produces more of it to compensate. Higher insulin levels can stimulate your ovaries to produce more androgens, such as testosterone. That can contribute to irregular periods and ovulation, acne and excess hair growth. Insulin resistance can also make weight harder to manage. Because what you eat directly affects your blood sugar and insulin, food is one of the most useful tools you have for managing PMOS. And because insulin resistance can happen at any body size, eating well with PMOS isn’t simply about weight loss. If you are wondering whether your symptoms could be linked to PCOS, Hertility’s Advanced Hormone & Fertility Test can help build a clearer picture of your hormones, cycle and symptoms to help you understand what’s going on. What is the best diet for PMOS (PCOS)? No. There is no single diet that has been shown to be best for everyone with PMOS. The 2023 international guideline recommends general healthy eating principles and a way of eating that suits your preferences, rather than one particular diet. What matters most is the overall quality of your diet over time. A Mediterranean-style diet is a useful framework because it naturally includes the foods that support metabolic and heart health: plenty of vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, beans and pulses, nuts, seeds, olive oil and oily fish. That matters in PMOS, which carries a higher long-term risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Lower-glycaemic eating may also help. The glycaemic index (GI) ranks carbohydrate foods by how quickly they raise your blood sugar. Lower-GI foods raise it more slowly and steadily. Some studies suggest lower-GI, higher-fibre diets can improve insulin resistance in people with PMOS, and some have linked them to more regular periods. Think of these as helpful patterns rather than strict rules. You don’t need to follow a rigid meal plan. The common thread is choosing better-quality carbohydrates and keeping your blood sugar steadier. How to make a PCOS-friendly meal? Instead of focusing on what to cut out, start with what to add. A useful rule of thumb is to build each meal around three things: a fibre-rich carbohydrate, a source of protein and some healthy fat, with plenty of vegetables or fruit alongside. For example: Choose fibre-rich carbohydrates more often Less-refined, higher-fibre carbohydrates are digested more slowly, so they raise your blood sugar more gradually and keep you fuller for longer. Good options include oats, quinoa, wholegrain or seeded bread, wholewheat pasta, brown rice, beans, lentils, chickpeas and potatoes with their skins on. Fibre also supports your gut health. Glycaemic Index (GI)  is a ranking system, showing how quickly your blood sugar rises after eating different carbohydrates. Choosing mostly low or moderate GI foods which cause your blood sugar levels to rise slowly, can be useful to manage symptoms of PMOS. Very-low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets have been studied in PMOS, but current guidelines don’t recommend one specific dietary pattern for everyone with the condition. The rest of your meal matters too. Pairing carbohydrates with protein, fat and vegetables slows down how quickly your blood sugar rises. So you can still enjoy white bread, pasta or rice. Choose higher-fibre versions more often, and think about the whole plate rather than whether one food is good or bad. Include protein throughout the day Protein makes meals more satisfying, helps manage your appetite and helps steady your blood sugar when you eat it with carbohydrates. Mix up your sources across eggs, fish, chicken, yoghurt, cottage cheese, tofu, tempeh, beans, lentils, nuts and seeds. Plant proteins such as beans, lentils and tofu are a particularly good choice because they provide fibre at the same time. Protein is essential for making hormones and it may help lower androgens and raise SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin), the protein that mops up excess testosterone and is often low in PMOS.  Don’t be afraid of healthy fats Unsaturated fats from extra-virgin olive oil, avocado, nuts like walnuts and almonds.and seeds support heart health and make meals more filling. Omega-3 fats from oily fish such as salmon, trout, mackerel and sardines may help improve insulin resistance and reduce inflammation in PMOS. NHS guidance is to eat at least two portions of fish a week, one of which should be oily. Want help turning these principles into meals that fit your life? A Nutrition Consultation with a Registered Nutritionist or Dietitian can build a plan around your symptoms, tastes and routine. What foods should you avoid with PMOS (PCOS)? No foods need to be completely off-limits with PMOS. But it helps to cut back on foods and drinks that are high in added sugar or refined carbohydrates and low in fibre. These can raise your blood sugar quickly without keeping you full. Sugary drinks are one of […]

If you have PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, formerly PCOS), figuring out when or whether you’re ovulating can feel a little like trying to hit a moving target. While you can track ovulation with PMOS, the usual methods can be less reliable. The good news is that with the right combination of methods, and the right timing, you can build a clear picture of whether and when you’re ovulating. Quick facts Can you ovulate if you have PMOS (PCOS)? Yes, having PMOS doesn’t mean you never ovulate. What it commonly causes is ovulatory dysfunction. This means ovulation may happen less often, less predictably or not at all during some cycles, which is why periods can be irregular or absent and why you can sometimes have a bleed without having released an egg. But there’s a lot of variation.You might ovulate most months but on different cycle days. Or you may have some cycles where ovulation doesn’t happen, known as an anovulatory cycle. Not sure whether PMOS (or something else) is behind your irregular cycles? Hertility’s Advanced Hormone & Fertility Test looks at the hormones involved including LH, FSH, AMH, testosterone, prolactin and thyroid to help explain what’s driving your pattern. Why is ovulation harder to track with PMOS (PCOS) ? Two things make it trickier. First, cycles are often long or irregular and less predictable.  Most tracking methods and apps assume ovulation lands mid-cycle, roughly two weeks before your period, but with PMOS the follicular phase (the first half, before ovulation) can stretch out or vary a lot month to month, so ovulation can happen late, early, or not at all. It’s also why the textbook idea that everyone ovulates on day 14 really doesn’t work. Second, and most importantly for tracking, your baseline hormones may already be raised. Many people with PMOS have persistently high LH, which is exactly the hormone home ovulation kits measure and exactly why those kits so often mislead. More on that next. How do I know if I’m ovulating with PMOS (PCOS) ? There isn’t one perfect at-home test. Instead, it can help to combine information that suggests ovulation might be approaching with information that tells you it probably already happened. 1. Watch your cervical mucus. In the days before ovulation, cervical mucus usually becomes wetter, clearer and more stretchy (like raw egg white) as oestrogen rises. These changes create an environment that helps sperm survive and travel through the reproductive tract, so they can be a useful sign that your fertile window may be approaching. With PMOS, fluctuating hormones can sometimes mean you notice fertile-looking mucus more than once during a long cycle. So think of cervical mucus as another piece of information rather than confirmation that ovulation definitely happened. 2. Track your basal body temperature (BBT). Progesterone causes a small rise in your resting temperature after ovulation, so charting BBT over a few cycles can confirm, in hindsight, that ovulation likely happened and reveal whether you’re ovulating at all. What it can’t do is give you any warning, by the time your temperature rises, ovulation has already been and gone. It’s also easily thrown off by poor sleep, waking at different times, illness, alcohol, travel and shift work, and long cycles can make the pattern harder to read. ASRM describes BBT as inexpensive but often unreliable, and doesn’t recommend it routinely for evaluating ovulation. So if you enjoy charting it and your pattern is clear, it’s a good piece of the picture, just don’t feel you have to wake up to a thermometer every morning to understand your fertility. 3. Track your cycles. Period tracking apps are useful for recording, less so for predicting. Most basic cycle apps estimate your fertile window from your previous period dates and average cycle length. If your cycles are fairly consistent, that gives a rough idea of when ovulation might happen, but if you have PMOS and your cycles vary a lot, the app is essentially trying to predict an unpredictable event from past averages, and calendar-based prediction is known to do this poorly. Research has found that calendar-based apps can perform poorly at identifying the actual day of ovulation because fertile-window timing naturally varies between cycles. That doesn’t make your app useless. It’s genuinely helpful for logging things like the first day of your period, period and cycle length, flow, cervical mucus changes, ovulation-test results and symptoms. Think of it as a record of what your body has done, rather than a crystal ball for what it’ll do next. Do ovulation predictor kits work with PMOS (PCOS) ? Often, no, or at least not reliably. OPKs measure Luteinizing Hormone (LH) in your urine. They’re designed to detect the LH surge that typically happens 24-36 hours before ovulation. But with PMOS that baseline is frequently already elevated, and some people have several small LH rises across a cycle rather than one clean peak. That leads to two problems. The kit can read your already-high LH as a surge and show repeated positives even when no egg is released or several apparent surges during one cycle. Or a genuine surge can be too small to stand out against a high baseline, so you miss it entirely. The issue is that most OPKs work on fixed thresholds rather than measuring your actual hormone level, fine if your levels sit in the average range, less so if PMOS keeps yours unusually high. Different brands can even have different thresholds and give you different results and either way, no OPK confirms ovulation actually happened, it only flags a likely fertile window. None of this means throwing the kits away. If you use them, fertility specialists suggest choosing a kit with a threshold set well above your baseline, or better a quantitative test or monitor that shows your actual LH level rather than a simple positive/negative. They’re most useful paired with a method that confirms ovulation after the fact. And if you repeatedly get positives without any sign of ovulation, […]

From PMDD symptoms and AMH levels to managing PMOS without contraception, Hertility’s clinical team answers your most pressing cycle and hormone questions.

Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) is the condition you may still know as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It’s one of the most common hormonal conditions, affecting around 1 in 8 women. But despite the old name, it has never been just about the ovaries. PMOS can affect your periods, ovulation, skin, hair, metabolism, fertility, sleep and mental health. It can also look completely different from one person to another. One person may have very irregular periods and excess facial hair, while another has acne, fairly regular cycles and no obvious symptoms until they start trying to conceive. That variation is one of the reasons PMOS can be difficult to recognise and why diagnosis is sometimes delayed. Whether you have recently been diagnosed, think your symptoms could be linked to PMOS, or have been living with the condition for years, this guide covers PCOS symptoms, diagnosis, fertility, treatment, nutrition and long-term health. Quick facts:  If you are wondering whether your symptoms could be linked to PCOS, Hertility’s Advanced Hormone and Fertility Test can help build a clearer picture of your hormones, cycle and symptoms to help you understand what’s going on. Why was PCOS renamed PMOS? On 12 May 2026, the international PCOS community officially adopted the name polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, or PMOS. The previous name, polycystic ovary syndrome, could be misleading for several reasons. Firstly, the “cysts” associated with PCOS are not typical ovarian cysts. They are usually small ovarian follicles containing immature eggs. Secondly, you can have the condition without having polycystic-looking ovaries at all. Most importantly, the old name placed the emphasis on the ovaries when the condition can affect much more than reproductive health, including metabolism, hormones, mental wellbeing and long-term health. The new name was developed through an international process involving healthcare professionals, researchers and people living with the condition. If you already have a PCOS diagnosis, you do not need to be diagnosed again. Your diagnosis has not changed. You will also continue to see the term PCOS in medical records, research and online searches, which is why we use both PCOS and PMOS throughout this guide. Read more: PCOS has been renamed PMOS — here’s what that means for you. How common is PCOS? The World Health Organization estimates that PMOS affects up to 13% of women of reproductive age, making it one of the most common hormonal conditions worldwide, and that up to 70% of those affected may not know they have it. In the UK, the NHS estimates it affects about 1 in every 10 women. Part of the problem is that there’s no single way it presents. Diagnosis can also take time. In one international study, over a third of people with PCOS waited more than two years for a diagnosis, and almost half saw three or more health professionals before getting one. What are the common symptoms of PCOS? PCOS symptoms can affect your menstrual cycle, skin, hair, metabolism, sleep, mood and fertility. You do not need to have every symptom to have the condition. Menstrual cycle-related symptoms One of the most common features is irregular ovulation. which can make periods longer, unpredictable or absent for months, sometimes with heavier or prolonged bleeding after a long gap.  You may ovulate later, less often, or not at all in some cycles (an anovulatory cycle). In adults more than three years past their first period, cycles shorter than 21 days, longer than 35 days, or fewer than eight a year are considered irregular. Having regular periods don’t completely rule out PCOS, though more on that below.  If you want to understand your own cycle, see our guide Menstrual Cycle 101: Your Complete Guide to How Your Cycle Works Skin and hair-related symptoms Higher androgen activity (androgens include hormones like testosterone) can contribute to acne, oily skin, excess facial or body hair (known as hirsutism), often on the chin, upper lip, chest, abdomen or back, and scalp hair thinning, often noticed as a widening parting.  Hair-growth patterns vary a lot between individuals and ethnic groups, which matters when symptoms are assessed. Some people also develop acanthosis nigricans, darker, thicker, velvety-looking skin around the neck or underarms, which can be linked to insulin resistance. To find out more about how hormones affect your skin, read our guide to skin and hair changes. Weight gain or difficulty losing weight Some people experience weight gain or find weight harder to manage, but you don’t need to be overweight to have PCOS. It affects people across all body sizes, and insulin resistance can occur in people who aren’t overweight. Fatigue and sleep problems Significant tiredness is common, although fatigue has many causes and shouldn’t automatically be blamed on hormones. Obstructive sleep apnoea is more common in PMOS, even after taking BMI into account. So if you snore, wake up unrefreshed or feel tired all day, it’s worth talking to a healthcare professional. Mental health-related symptoms PCOS isn’t only physical. Depression and anxiety are more common, and symptoms like acne, unwanted hair growth, fertility difficulties, body-image concerns and weight stigma can all affect quality of life. Current guidance recommends that psychological wellbeing forms part of PMOS care, including screening and support for depression, anxiety and eating disorders. Difficulty conceiving PCOS is a leading cause of irregular ovulation and anovulatory infertility. If ovulation happens less often, there are fewer chances for egg and sperm to meet. But that’s very different from saying everyone with PCOS is infertile; many conceive naturally, and effective treatments exist when ovulation needs support. What causes PCOS? There is no single known cause of PCOS. Instead, it appears to develop through a combination of genetics, hormone signalling, ovarian function, metabolism and environmental factors. Two factors that are particularly important are androgens and insulin. High levels of Androgens Androgens are a group of hormones, the most common being testosterone. They are produced mainly by the ovaries and adrenal glands and have roles in reproductive health, bone and muscle health, sexual function and wider physiology. […]