Let’s start with something that might surprise you.
PCOS is one of the most common hormonal conditions in women. Mention age group that is affected. Also provide references and further reads. This helps build credibility.
In India, studies suggest that anywhere between 1 in 5 to 1 in 10 women of reproductive age are affected by it. Yet most women who have it spend years not knowing. They just know something feels off.
Their periods are all over the place.
They are putting on weight and cannot figure out why.
Their skin breaks out like they are teenagers again.
Their hair is thinning.
They feel tired all the time.
And somewhere along the way, someone finally says the words: “You might have PCOS.”
If that sounds familiar, this article is for you.
So what exactly is PCOS?
PMOS stands for Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome. Until very recently, you probably knew it as PCOS.
In May 2026, leading experts from across the world officially renamed it after more than a decade of research and global consultation, and the reason behind that change matters more than just the name itself.
The old name, “Polycystic Ovary Syndrome,” was misleading. It pointed to cysts on the ovaries as the defining feature. But those are not actually pathological cysts in the clinical sense. What shows up on an ultrasound are small, immature follicles that have not developed properly. They are called cysts in common language, but the condition is far more complex than that.
So let’s break down what PCOS actually means.
In a normal menstrual cycle, your ovaries release one egg every month. That process is driven by hormones, and when those hormones are in balance, everything runs on schedule.
In women with PCOS, that hormonal balance is disrupted across multiple systems in the body, not just the ovaries.
Here is what is actually happening.
Polyendocrine means multiple endocrine glands are involved. Your endocrine system is your body’s chemical messenger system, and in PCOS, several parts of it are not communicating the way they should.
This includes the hormones produced by the ovaries, the adrenal glands, and the signals sent by the brain to control the reproductive cycle.
Metabolic reflects the fact that PCOS is deeply connected to how your body processes insulin and energy.
Most women with PCOS have some degree of insulin resistance, which means their cells do not respond to insulin properly. The body then produces more insulin to compensate, and higher insulin levels signal the ovaries to produce more androgens – male hormones that women also have in small amounts.
This triggers a cycle that feeds itself, affecting weight, blood sugar, skin, and energy.
Ovarian is retained because the ovaries remain central to the condition.
The disrupted hormonal environment means eggs in the ovaries do not mature properly. Instead of being released, they remain as small fluid-filled sacs, often referred to as cysts.
The result is irregular or missed periods, difficulty conceiving, and a range of symptoms that affect your skin, weight, mood, and energy levels.
Here is something important though: not every woman with PCOS has visible follicles on her ovaries, and not every woman with follicular changes has PCOS. This is exactly why diagnosis needs to go beyond just an ultrasound.
What causes PCOS?
Honest answer: doctors and researchers are still working this out fully. But here is what we know.
Insulin resistance plays a big role. Many women with PCOS have cells that do not respond to insulin properly. When that happens, the body produces more insulin to compensate. Higher insulin levels then signal the ovaries to produce more androgens. It becomes a cycle that feeds itself.
Genetics matter too. If your mother, sister, or aunt has PCOS, your chances of having it are higher. It is not guaranteed, but the pattern is real.
Inflammation is also connected. Research shows that women with PCOS often have low-grade chronic inflammation, which stimulates the ovaries to produce more androgens.
It is rarely just one cause. PCOS is a condition with multiple triggers, which is also why it looks different in different women.
What are the symptoms of PCOS?
This is where PCOS gets complicated, because no two women experience it exactly the same way.
Some women have all of these symptoms. Others have only two or three. Some are mild. Some are difficult to live with.
Here are the most common ones.
Irregular periods. This is usually the first sign. Your cycle might be longer than 35 days, or you might skip months entirely, or your periods might be unpredictable every single month. Some women with PCOS get fewer than 8 periods a year.
Weight gain, especially around the abdomen. The link between PCOS and weight is real, but it goes both ways. PCOS can make it easier to gain weight and harder to lose it. And excess weight can make PCOS symptoms worse. This is not a willpower problem. It is a hormonal one.
Acne and oily skin. Higher androgen levels stimulate the skin’s oil glands. This leads to acne that tends to appear on the jawline, chin, and back, and it often does not respond well to regular acne treatments.
Hair thinning on the scalp. Again, androgens are the reason here. Many women with PCOS notice their hair getting thinner, particularly around the crown and parting.
Unwanted facial or body hair. This is called hirsutism, and it refers to hair growth on the upper lip, chin, chest, or stomach. It affects around 70 percent of women with PCOS and is often one of the most distressing symptoms emotionally.
Difficulty getting pregnant. Describe ovulation as release of eggs from ovaries. You have not described what is ovulation. Do not use medical terms without describing them a priori one of the leading causes of infertility in women. This does not mean pregnancy is impossible with PCOS. Many women with PCOS conceive successfully, with or without medical help. But it may take more time, and sometimes medical support helps.
Mood changes, anxiety, and low energy. These are less talked about but very real. Hormonal imbalances affect the brain too. Many women with PCOS report feeling anxious, low, or constantly exhausted, and these feelings are not imagined.
How is PCOS diagnosed?
There is no single test that confirms PCOS. Diagnosis is based on what doctors call the Rotterdam Criteria. Under these guidelines, a woman is diagnosed with PCOS if she has at least two of the following three things.
1: Irregular or absent periods.
2: Elevated androgen levels, either seen in a blood test or visible through symptoms like acne or unwanted hair.
3: Polycystic ovaries seen on an ultrasound.
So in practice, your gynecologist will typically do the following.
A detailed conversation: Your doctor will ask about your cycle, your symptoms, your weight history, your family history, and your lifestyle. This conversation matters more than most people realise. Do not hold back.
A physical examination: Your doctor will check for signs of excess androgen activity like skin and hair changes.
Blood tests: These check your hormone levels, including LH, FSH, testosterone, prolactin, thyroid function, insulin, and blood sugar. These results help confirm the diagnosis and also rule out other conditions that can look like PCOS.
An ultrasound: A pelvic ultrasound allows your doctor to look at the size of your ovaries and whether there are multiple small follicles present.
One thing worth saying clearly: please do not self-diagnose PCOS based on a symptom checklist you found online.
Many of these symptoms overlap with thyroid disorders, hyperprolactinemia, and other hormonal conditions.
Getting the right diagnosis from a qualified PCOS specialist in Mumbai is the only way to know for sure and to get the right treatment.
Can PCOS be cured?
This is one of the most common questions women ask, and it deserves an honest answer.
PCOS cannot be fully cured in the traditional sense.
But that does not mean you are stuck with it forever exactly as it is.
Think about how we manage hypertension. Or diabetes. Or thyroid disorders. None of these have a permanent cure either. Yet millions of people manage them successfully every single day, live completely normal lives, maintain healthy relationships, build careers, and raise families. PCOS works the same way. It is a long-term condition that responds well to the right management, not a life sentence.
With the right combination of lifestyle changes, medical support, and regular monitoring, most women with PCOS see their symptoms reduce significantly. Cycles start to regulate. Energy improves. Skin clears up. Weight becomes easier to manage. And for those trying to conceive, the right treatment plan makes a real difference.
The earlier you get diagnosed and start managing it, the better your long-term outcomes.
When should you see a doctor?
You should see a gynecologist if:
- Your periods have been irregular for more than three to six months
- You have been trying to conceive for over six months without success
- You are experiencing significant hair loss, unwanted hair growth, or persistent acne
- You have been told your blood sugar or insulin levels are on the higher side
- You simply feel like something is off with your body and you cannot explain it
That last one matters. Trust yourself.
If you are looking for PCOS treatment in Borivali or anywhere in Mumbai, Dr. Gargi Pal offers thorough evaluation and a personalised management plan that goes beyond just prescribing a pill and sending you home.
A note before you go
PCOS is not your fault. It is not caused by something you did or did not do. It is a medical condition, and like any medical condition, it deserves proper attention and care.
If you have spent years feeling like your body is working against you, you are not imagining it. And you do not have to just live with it.
The right gynecologist in Mumbai will not just treat your symptoms. They will help you understand what is happening in your body, why it is happening, and what you can do about it, in a way that actually fits your life.
Dr. Gargi Pal’s clinics in Borivali West and Kandivali East are here for exactly that kind of care.
