While it is unclear what exactly causes PCOS to occur, the syndrome has several factors that contribute to the condition. These can include genetics, hormones, lifestyle and environmental factors which can stand alone or interact with each other to cause the condition.

The two main causes linked to PCOS are insulin resistance & hormonal imbalance.

Insulin resistance means your body is not as responsive to the hormone, insulin, which is responsible for controlling the amount of sugar in your blood, which in turn gets broken down to product energy. Women with PCOS tend to produce more insulin to counteract the resistance, which can in turn cause their ovaries to produce a higher than normal rate of testosterone. Which can interfere with healthy ovulation, and can also lead to increased weight gain which in turn increases insulin production in the body.

Hormonal imbalances present in women with PCOS typically mean they produce higher levels of testosterone than is normal. This is the hormone that causes many of the symptoms often present in women with PCOS, such as hormonal breakouts and hirsutism. It can also result in higher LH levels (luteinising hormone) which can cause adverse effects if present in above normal levels and produces more male hormones.

There are several symptoms associated with PCOS, women with PCOS may display all, several or only a few of these symptoms. Most women with PCOS will begin to experience these symptoms in their late teens or early twenties, but some women may experience them earlier or later in life.

Some of the most common symptoms of PCOS are:

• Difficulty becoming pregnant due to reduced fertility. 
• Irregular periods or in some cases no periods at all.
• Hirsutism, or excess hair growth on their body or face, including on their back, belly, and chest.
• Hormonal acne and excess oil production in the skin. Breakouts can be on the face, neck, back and chest. 
• Difficulty losing or managing weight. 
• Male pattern baldness, and thinning of the hair on our heads.

Some less common symptoms, which can develop if PCOS is not managed are:

• Type 2 diabetes. Women with PCOS are at higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life due to insulin resistance caused by PCOS.
• High blood pressure or high cholesterol levels, which can lead to heart disease in later life if not managed.
• Sleep apnoea. 
• Depression or increased anxiety.

If you feel like you may be experiencing PCOS, you should visit your GP or a medical professional to get checked. In order to be diagnosed with PCOS you will need to display two of the following three criteria.

1. Irregular or absent periods. 
2. Cysts or follicles must be present on the ovaries. This will be done via an scan. 
3. Excess androgens, which may appear as excess body or facial hair, or hormonal acne on face, back or chest. This will be carried out via a blood test or observation if symptoms are highly noticable.

If you have been diagnosed with PCOS there are several treatment options that will vary depending on the severity of your condition. Your GP may choose to refer you to a gynecologist, endocrinologist or work on a treatment plan with you themselves.

PCOS symptoms can be managed with medications, such as metformin for insulin resistance or the contraceptive pill for irregular or absent periods. Your GP would assess your unique situation before recommending medications. On top of this your GP will recommend addressing key factors in your lifestyle, these might be types of exercise that can minimize the symptoms, healthy diet and stress management.