A guide to polycystic ovary syndrome, including what it’s really like to live with the under-discussed condition

Third is a drug called metformin, which increases your body’s sensitivity to insulin levels. “This leads to insulin levels falling to normal levels and helps with hormonal balance and aids weight loss which in turn leads to more regular periods, ovulation, and improving excess hair growth,” Dr Poet says.

How should people with PCOS deal with their fertility?

“Having PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility, however it is important to note that not all women with PCOS will have trouble conceiving,” Dr Poet says. “If things are difficult then there are several treatment options available and through these, the majority of women are able to get pregnant. Adopting a health lifestyle will give you the best chance of getting pregnant naturally as is true for all women, not just those with PCOS.”

What it’s really like to have PCOS

Above all, Jess found the weight loss option unhelpful in combatting her own experiences of PCOS.

“While losing weight may work for some, but my BMI at the time was perfectly healthy and to lose the amount of weight recommended by my doctor would have put me in the ‘underweight’ category.

There were further complications when it came to dealing with her own fertility: “I had also decided to come off of the pill because I personally didn’t want to be putting the chemicals in my body when I no longer needed it for contraception. In my eyes, taking the pill again would be like putting a plaster on the problem and not getting to the root of it. I left the doctor’s surgery feeling emotional, lost and confused by my own body.”

“It took lots more terrible appointments where I was told ‘If you want to have a baby you should start trying sooner rather than later’, and nearly four years of missed periods, to convince me that I needed to try other methods.

It took working out what was best for her own body before she found her best ways of treating PCOS.

“I started doing lots of reading on the topic and found tonnes of research linking stress, both mental and physical, to hormonal imbalances. I learned that my packed social calendar, the toxins in my beauty products and poor quality animal products in my diet could actually be negatively impacting my already delicate hormonal system. This was revolutionary for me: finally there seemed to be someone telling me that not only might I be able to get my hormones in check and my period back, but I could be healthier and happier too.

“I slowly stopped doing all the exercise that I had been told to do and eating all the protein I had been told to eat, swapping it for walking, yoga, hot baths, nights in and more plant based meals. It took nearly six months of consciously changing my habits, but slowly my dry skin went away, my sleep improved and most miraculously – my period came back. As I’m writing this I’m having my sixth period in as many months.

“Of course, everybody is different and what worked for my symptoms might not work for someone else, but what is important to know is that there are options out there if you’re willing to try them. Having PCOS can make you feel lonely and misunderstood, but that shouldn’t be the case. It is such a common problem so it’s time we talked about it more.”

If you suspect any symptoms of PCOS you should contact your GP.