Problemas de salud
PCOS (now also called PMOS)
Revisado: 4 de octubre de 2026
Solo en inglés por ahoraPCOS is a common hormone condition that can cause irregular periods, acne and extra hair growth. Its symptoms can be managed, and many people with PCOS can still get pregnant.
What PCOS is
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition linked to an imbalance of hormones. The NHS in the UK now calls it polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), so you may see either name. It affects about 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. It can start at any age after puberty, but most people find out they have it in their 20s or 30s. The cause is not known, but problems with how the body uses insulin and testosterone seem to play a part. It is more likely if a close relative has it or if you are from an Asian background.
Common signs
Many people have irregular periods, with long gaps between them, or miss periods. Higher levels of male-type hormones (androgens), such as testosterone, can cause extra hair on the face, chin or body (hirsutism). They can also cause thinning hair on the head, oily skin and acne. Some people gain weight easily or find it hard to lose weight. Others notice thick, dark patches of skin on the neck, armpits or groin, feel very tired, or have low mood or anxiety.
How it is diagnosed
A doctor will ask about your periods and symptoms and may examine you. Blood tests can check your hormone levels and insulin resistance, which is when your body does not respond well to insulin. An ultrasound scan can look at your ovaries. Once other causes have been ruled out, PCOS is usually diagnosed if you have at least two of these three: irregular periods, signs or blood test results showing high androgens, and many small cysts on one or both ovaries. This means you can have PCOS without cysts.
Long-term health
PCOS is linked to a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, unhealthy cholesterol and heart disease. The US Office on Women's Health says more than half of women with PCOS develop diabetes or prediabetes before age 40. There is also a higher risk of cancer of the womb (uterus), fatty liver disease, and sleep apnoea, where breathing stops and starts during sleep. Knowing the risks helps you and your doctor watch for them.
Treatment and what helps
Treatment aims to ease the symptoms that bother you most. A balanced diet and regular exercise help many people. If you are overweight, losing about a tenth of your body weight can make periods more regular and improve the chance of pregnancy. Hormonal contraception, such as the combined pill, can help with irregular periods. Other medicines can reduce extra hair or acne, and metformin, a diabetes medicine, is sometimes used. PCOS is a common cause of fertility problems, but it is treatable. Fertility medicines such as clomifene, or a small operation on the ovaries, can help.
When to see a doctor or nurse
See a doctor or nurse if your cycles are often shorter than 24 days or longer than 38 days. Also see one if you have had no period for 3 months and are not pregnant or breastfeeding. Get checked too if extra hair or acne bothers you, if you are struggling to get pregnant, or if you feel low. Logging your periods in Ciclo for a few months can help you show your doctor how long your cycles are.
This is general information, not a diagnosis. Only a doctor can diagnose PCOS, so talk to one if your periods are irregular or you are worried.