If you have PCOS, you are at greater risk of developing the long-term health problems discussed below.
The risk of all the long term health problems and the symptoms of PCOS can be reduced by maintaining a healthy weight and living a healthy lifestyle.
Insulin resistance and Diabetes
One or two in every ten women with PCOS go on to develop diabetes at some point. If diabetes is untreated, this can cause damage to organs in the body. You are also at higher risk of developing diabetes in pregnancy.
Diabetes is increased further if you:
- are over 40 years of age
- have relatives with diabetes
- developed diabetes during a pregnancy (known as gestational diabetes)
- are obese (a body mass index (BMI) of over 30).
For more information and support reducing your risk
Contact the surgery to discuss having a blood test to check for diabetes.
High blood pressure and heart disease
Women with PCOS tend to have high blood pressure, which is likely to be related to insulin resistance and to being overweight rather than to the PCOS itself. High blood pressure can lead to heart problems and should be treated.
You can get your blood pressure checked at most local pharmacies.
Cancer
If you have fewer than three periods a year, the lining of the womb (endometrium) can thicken and this may lead to endometrial cancer in a small number of women.
There are various ways to protect the lining of the womb using the hormone progestogen. Your doctor will discuss the options with you. This may include a five-day course of progestogen tablets used every three or four months, taking a contraceptive pill or using the intrauterine contraceptive system (Mirena®). The options will depend on whether you are trying for a baby.
PCOS does not increase your chance of breast or ovarian cancer.
Please let us know if your periods are more than 3 months apart.
Depression and mood swings
The symptoms of PCOS may affect how you see yourself and how you think others see you. It can lower your self-esteem.
Don’t hesitate to contact the surgery if you feel your mood is effected.
You can self refer for talking therapies.
Snoring and daytime drowsiness
PCOS can lead to fatigue or sleepiness during the day. It is also associated with snoring and sleep apnoea.
Use the link here to see if you may have sleep apnoea. If you score high we can refer you for further sleep studies.
