men & women
PCOS/PMOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS/PMOS) is a common hormonal condition causing irregular periods, acne, excess hair and sometimes fertility difficulty, and it is very manageable with the right plan.
Symptoms
1
Irregular, infrequent or absent periods
2
Acne that persists beyond the teenage years
3
Excess hair on the face, chest or abdomen
4
Thinning scalp hair
5
Weight that climbs easily and shifts stubbornly
6
Difficulty falling pregnant
7
Darkened skin patches at the neck or underarms
Causes and how it spreads
PCOS/PMOS involves a combination of higher androgen (male-pattern hormone) levels, irregular ovulation, and in many women insulin resistance, with genetics playing a significant role. It affects roughly 1 in 10 women of reproductive age, making it one of the most common hormonal conditions there is.
How PVT tests for it
Diagnosis rests on established criteria: irregular ovulation, signs or blood evidence of raised androgens, and the ovarian appearance on ultrasound, with other causes excluded. PVT arranges the relevant bloods through an accredited pathology laboratory and refers for ultrasound where needed, then explains exactly which criteria you do and do not meet.
Treatment
Management is built around your current goal. Regulating cycles and protecting the womb lining may involve hormonal treatment; acne and excess hair respond to specific therapies; insulin resistance improves with lifestyle change and medication where appropriate; and fertility difficulty has well-established treatment pathways. PCOS/PMOS care changes as your goals change, and reviews keep the plan current.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if your periods are consistently irregular or absent, if acne or excess hair is progressing, or if you have been trying to conceive without success. Early diagnosis also allows long-term metabolic health to be protected, not just symptoms managed.
Related service
Sexual Health Screening
Sexual health screening at PVT is confidential doctor-led testing for sexually transmitted infections, for men and women, with results and treatment handled privately.
Questions about
PCOS/PMOS
Does PCOS/PMOS mean I cannot have children?
No. PCOS/PMOS is one of the most treatable causes of fertility difficulty. Many women with PCOS/PMOS conceive without help, and for those who need it, restoring ovulation with medication is often effective. The diagnosis gives you and your doctor something concrete to work with.
Do the ovarian cysts need to be removed?
No. Despite the name, the follicles seen on ultrasound in PCOS/PMOS are not cysts needing surgery; they are immature egg follicles paused mid-development. Treatment targets hormones and ovulation, not the ovary's appearance.
Will losing weight cure my PCOS/PMOS?
PCOS/PMOS is not cured by weight loss, but in women with insulin resistance even a 5 to 10% reduction in weight can meaningfully improve cycles, ovulation and skin. It is one useful lever among several, not a moral obligation, and your plan will not begin and end there.
Why does PCOS/PMOS matter beyond periods and skin?
Because of its metabolic side. Women with PCOS/PMOS have higher long-term rates of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk factors, and irregular cycles can affect the womb lining over time. Sensible monitoring now prevents most of that becoming a problem later.