We Review the Common Symptoms and Treatments for PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) affects an estimated 10–15% of women of reproductive age worldwide.

The condition is more common among those with a family history of PCOS, insulin resistance—a state in which the body’s cells respond poorly to insulin—and metabolic syndrome, which refers to a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar, excess abdominal fat, and abnormal cholesterol levels.

In this article, we’ll explore the common symptoms and treatments for PCOS, as well as examine those it affects.

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Who Is Most Likely to Develop PCOS?

PCOS appears to have a genetic component, with signs of heritability observed in both women and men.

Male relatives may show related traits such as early-onset baldness or other metabolic abnormalities, including type 2 diabetes or central obesity.

The syndrome is more frequently diagnosed in populations with higher rates of insulin resistance, including Hispanic, South Asian, and African American women.

What Are the Most Common Symptoms of PCOS?

The hallmark features of PCOS are linked to elevated male hormone levels, or hyperandrogenism. This may appear as hirsutism (excess hair on the face, chest, or abdomen), acne, or alopecia (thinning or loss of scalp hair).

Many women with PCOS also have irregular menstrual cycles, often caused by infrequent or absent ovulation.

An ultrasound may reveal polycystic ovarian morphology, in which the ovaries appear enlarged and contain many small follicles arranged around the edge, often described as resembling a “string of pearls.”

Diagnosis is typically based on the Rotterdam criteria, which require any two of the following three:

• Clinical or laboratory signs of excess androgens
• Irregular or absent ovulation
• Polycystic-appearing ovaries on ultrasound

PCOS is a diagnosis of exclusion—other causes of elevated androgens, such as adrenal disorders, thyroid dysfunction, or rare tumors, must be ruled out before the diagnosis is confirmed.

We’ve reviewed the most common symptoms of PCOS, now we’ll look at the most common treatments for PCOS.

What Are the Most Common Treatments for PCOS?

Treatment is tailored to a woman’s symptoms and long-term health goals. The main objectives are to manage:

• Menstrual irregularity
• Hirsutism
• Infertility
• Metabolic complications:
  • Insulin resistance
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Elevated cholesterol
  • Obesity

For women seeking pregnancy, treatment focuses on ovulation induction using medications that stimulate egg release. In such cases, spironolactone—a commonly used anti-androgen—must be discontinued in advance, as it is teratogenic, meaning it can harm fetal development if taken during pregnancy.

GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, are showing promise for women with PCOS who also have obesity. These medications support weight loss and improve insulin sensitivity, both of which may help restore ovulatory cycles and reduce the metabolic risks associated with the condition.

What Is Usually the First Line of Treatment for PCOS?

The foundation of treatment for PCOS is lifestyle modification, including healthier eating, increased physical activity, and weight loss—particularly in women who are overweight or obese. Even modest weight loss can help restore ovulation, regulate menstrual cycles, and improve insulin sensitivity.

The first-line medication for menstrual irregularity and hirsutism is usually combined oral contraceptives, also known as birth control pills. These help regulate the menstrual cycle and reduce the production of male hormones by the ovaries, which in turn can lessen acne and excess hair growth.

Metformin, a medication that improves the body’s response to insulin, is often used to support more regular ovulation and cycles. It is particularly helpful in women with glucose intolerance or in those trying to become pregnant but not yet ready for more advanced fertility treatments.

How Can the Risk of Comorbidities Be Reduced in PCOS?

Addressing obesity and restoring regular ovulation can lower the risk of developing:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• Endometrial cancer
• Sleep apnea

Even a modest weight loss of 5–10% can improve the body’s response to insulin, help regulate menstrual cycles and increase the chances of natural ovulation and conception.

Women with PCOS should also be routinely assessed for depression and anxiety, which are more common in this population and should be treated promptly.

While PCOS does not change how conditions like heart disease are treated, improving the underlying metabolic disturbances associated with PCOS can strengthen treatment responses and help slow disease progression.

What Can Be Done to Raise Awareness and Increase Funding for PCOS Research?

Despite being one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age, PCOS remains underfunded relative to how widespread it is and how severely it can affect women’s health and quality of life.

Raising awareness will require grassroots advocacy, better patient education, and inclusion of PCOS in broader women’s health campaigns. Building partnerships with public health organizations, medical societies, and elected officials can help position PCOS as a national research priority.

To make progress, increased NIH funding and incentives for private-sector investment will be essential—particularly as funding for women’s health research faces growing pressure. Strategic engagement at both policy and community levels will be key to closing the gap between the burden of PCOS and the resources allocated to understanding and treating it.

What Are Common Symptoms & Treatments for PCOS? Raleigh Medical Group Has the Answers

At Raleigh Medical Group, our board-certified internal medicine doctors in Raleigh have extensive postgraduate training, so they can offer you the most recent, clinically proven treatments to help you.

We want to be a partner in your care. If you believe you have symptoms of PCOS, contact us for an appointment today. We can tailor a treatment plan to fit your needs.