PCOS (PMOS)
PCOS is common, often missed, and very manageable with the right support. What you eat is one of the most powerful tools you have, today and for your future health.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone condition that affects around 1 in 10 women in the UK.
New research, May 2026
PCOS has a new name: PMOS. An international group of experts and patients agreed to rename it polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, in a consensus study published in The Lancet. The new name recognises what many women already knew: this is a whole body hormone and metabolic condition, not just a problem with the ovaries, and many women don't have cysts at all.
PCOS is usually diagnosed when you have at least two of these three things:
- Irregular or missed periods, because you don't ovulate regularly
- Higher levels of male type hormones, which can cause extra hair, acne or thinning hair
- Polycystic ovaries seen on an ultrasound scan
Despite the name, you don't need to have cysts to have PCOS. Symptoms vary a lot, and many women spend years being told their symptoms are normal before anyone connects the dots.
Symptoms
Every woman with PCOS is different. You may have many of these, or very few.
Periods and fertility
- Irregular, infrequent or missed periods
- Difficulty getting pregnant
Weight and energy
- Weight gain, or finding it hard to lose weight
- Sugar cravings
- Tiredness and energy dips
Skin and hair
- Extra hair on the face, chest or tummy
- Acne or oily skin
- Thinning hair on the head
- Darker patches of skin
Mood and sleep
- Anxiety or low mood
- Poor sleep
- Low confidence about how you look
These symptoms can have other causes, such as thyroid problems, so we always look at your full health picture. If you haven't had a period for three months or more, it's important to get checked.
Understanding insulin resistance
Insulin is the hormone that moves sugar from your blood into your cells for energy. With insulin resistance, your cells don't respond to it as well, so your body makes more and more insulin to keep your blood sugar in check.
Insulin resistance is a big reason for the new name. It's now seen as a core part of the condition, not a side issue. Up to 7 in 10 women with PCOS have some insulin resistance, and it's one of the main drivers of symptoms. That's because high insulin also affects your hormones:
Your body makes extra insulin
Your ovaries make more testosterone
Periods, skin, hair and weight symptoms get worse
The good news is that this works in reverse too. When your blood sugar is steadier, insulin levels can fall, and many symptoms ease.
Signs you may have insulin resistance
- Strong sugar or carb cravings
- Energy crashes or feeling sleepy after meals
- Weight gain around your middle, or finding it hard to lose weight
- Darker, velvety patches of skin on the neck or armpits
- Skin tags
How we help
Testing
Simple blood tests, such as HbA1c and fasting glucose, to see where you are.
Food
Reducing refined carbs and sugar, choosing slower release carbs, and pairing them with protein, fibre and healthy fats to keep blood sugar steady.
Movement
Strength exercise and a short walk after meals help your muscles use sugar better.
Sleep and stress
Poor sleep and stress both raise blood sugar, so we look at these too.
Medicine
For some women, our doctor may suggest medicine such as metformin alongside nutrition.
Why PCOS matters for your future health
PCOS isn't only about periods and skin. Over time, insulin resistance and hormone changes can raise the risk of:
- Type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes in pregnancy
- Heart health problems, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure
- Changes to the womb lining, if periods are very infrequent
The good news is that the right care, and especially the right food, can lower these risks.
That's why your plan looks at five areas together, not just your hormones:
- Hormones
- Nutrition
- Movement
- Sleep
- Stress
How we can help
We bring medical care and nutrition together in one plan. With PCOS, nutrition isn't an extra; it's at the heart of your care, because steadying your blood sugar can ease symptoms today and protect your health for the decades ahead.
Medical care
From our doctor
- A clear diagnosis, and an explanation of what it means for you
- Tests where needed, such as hormones, blood sugar (HbA1c), cholesterol and thyroid
- Treatment options to regulate periods and help with skin and hair
- Support with fertility plans, and referral if needed
Nutrition support
From our nutritionist
- Eating to steady blood sugar and ease cravings
- Cutting back on refined carbs and sugar, without cutting out whole food groups
- Protein and fibre to keep you fuller for longer
- Fuel your body for steadier energy all day
- Realistic, kind support with weight, without crash diets
- Find and fix gaps in key nutrients
Getting ready for your appointment
You don't need to prepare anything, but these can help us get the most from your time together:
- Your period dates for the last few months, or a cycle tracking app
- A list of your symptoms and roughly when they started
- Any medicines or supplements you take
- Recent blood test results, if you have them
- What matters most to you right now, such as periods, skin, weight, energy or pregnancy
Your first appointment
An unhurried 60 minute consultation, online or in person. We'll talk through your cycle, your symptoms and how they've changed, your skin and hair, your weight, energy, mood and sleep, and any plans for pregnancy. You'll leave with a clear, written plan for treatment and nutrition.
“My mum was told it was just her age for years. We started Menopause Angels so that you're listened to the first time.”
“I was diagnosed with PCOS at 19 and just handed the pill. Nobody explained it. The team finally made it make sense, and the food changes helped my energy and cravings more than anything I'd tried before.”
Common questions
Can PCOS be cured?
There isn't a cure, but PCOS can be managed very well. With the right treatment, nutrition and lifestyle changes, many women find their symptoms improve a lot, and they lower their risk of health problems later in life.
Do I have to lose weight?
Not everyone with PCOS is overweight, and weight loss isn't the only goal. If you do carry extra weight, even a small loss can help your periods, energy and blood sugar. Our nutritionist focuses on realistic changes, not strict diets.
Can I get pregnant if I have PCOS?
Yes, many women with PCOS get pregnant, sometimes with a little help. If pregnancy is part of your plans, we'll talk you through your options and refer you to a fertility specialist if needed.
Can diet really help PCOS?
Yes, and it's one of the most effective tools you have. Because PCOS is closely linked to insulin resistance, eating in a way that keeps your blood sugar steady can make a real difference. That means reducing refined carbs and sugar, such as white bread, sweets and sugary drinks, and choosing slower release carbs with enough protein, fibre and healthy fats. This can ease cravings, lift your energy and help regulate your cycle. It works best alongside medical care.