Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are twice as likely to have a cardiovascular event like a heart attack or stroke than a healthy person. Some of the factors responsible for increasing your chances of developing heart disease are high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
You may know that women with PCOS have high blood pressure and are at risk of diabetes, but what about cholesterol? Do women with PCOS also have high cholesterol levels? This is the question I am answering today!
This post will answer your questions about cholesterol and PCOS, including whether or not PCOS causes high cholesterol, what the different types of cholesterol are, and how you can naturally lower your cholesterol and find relief from your symptoms. Here’s the link between PCOS and cholesterol:
Can PCOS Cause High Cholesterol?
Yes, PCOS can cause high cholesterol. Though cholesterol has its purpose in the body creating cell membranes, hormones, and vitamin D, too much is never a good thing. Excess triglyceride cholesterol (bad cholesterol) can collect in your arteries restricting blood flow, and creating blocks that lead to strokes, heart attacks, and peripheral arterial disease.
It goes without saying, but high cholesterol is definitely something a Cyster will want to monitor. You can determine your lipid profile, which is the amount of good, bad, and total cholesterol in your body using a PCOS blood test. If you do find you have high levels of bad cholesterol, here’s how your PCOS is may be causing these spikes:
Without the proper management techniques, excess belly fat accumulates. This type of fat around the abdomen then can cause higher levels of bad cholesterol (triglycerides) and lower levels of good cholesterol (high density lipoprotein or HDL.) Then, the surplus of cholesterol has nowhere to go and can’t be broken down quickly enough, so it sticks to your arteries, restricting blood flow to your heart.
How To Lower Cholesterol If You Have PCOS?
Those high triglycerides stem from higher levels of insulin. So, insulin resistance is the root cause that needs mending. A Cyster’s low insulin sensitivity doesn’t only lead to cholesterol issues, but also high blood pressure and the risk of type 2 diabetes. Further increasing a Cyster’s chances of developing cardiovascular disease.
Luckily, there is a management plan that doesn’t involve a bunch of harsh medical procedures or medications. Here’s what you can do to naturally help drop pounds, lower triglyceride levels, and raise HDL numbers:
Exercise.
Regular physical activity has been shown to raise helpful HDL cholesterol while lowering damaging triglyceride cholesterol. However, if you’re a Cyster who’s tried to workout again and again and has seen NO results, you’re not alone. Hormonal issues related to PCOS can make losing weight feel impossible.
Luckily, specific workouts that keep your heart rate low will produce better results. You can read more about that here. Beneficial workouts for Cysters looking to lower their cholesterol and lose weight include slow weighted workouts, yoga, pilates, light cardio, and walking.
Reduce alcohol consumption and quit smoking.
Most drinks are full of carbs—especially red wine and beer. Carbohydrates are sugars that break down quickly and raise your insulin levels. Additionally, alcohol can disrupt your sleep, and that also raises insulin levels.
And, as for smoking, the chemicals in cigarette smoke damage your blood vessels and cause bad cholesterol to build up. Because of this, smokers are 2-4 times more likely to develop heart disease. Ditching the cigarettes can definitely help get those cholesterol levels where they need to be.
Smoking and alcohol use have other negative effects on our PCOS bodies as well, so stopping or reducing your intake of these harmful substances should help lower your cholesterol and alleviate other PCOS symptoms too.
Eat the right foods.
Finally, eating the right foods can help lower bad cholesterol. The food we eat holds so much power, and the right diet can be the key to reversing the symptoms of PCOS. What we put in our stomachs affects everything in our bodies from our hormone levels to our insulin sensitivity. Below, I’ve summarized the best diet for high cholesterol and PCOS:
The Best Diet for High Cholesterol and PCOS
The foods we eat should be beneficial to us. Intentional food choices can help relieve SO many symptoms of PCOS including high cholesterol. The best foods for Cysters with PCOS and high cholesterol include:
Foods low in saturated fats and trans fats: Both of these types of fat cause your bad cholesterol levels to rise. Red meat, dairy products, and store-bought packaged snacks are usually high in saturated and / or trans fats and should be avoided.
Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids: Foods like salmon, chia seeds, kidney beans, and flaxseeds are high in omega-3s that help reduce triglycerides, keep arteries clear, regulate heart rate, and even lower blood pressure.
Foods with soluble fiber: Soluble fiber helps break down and remove bad cholesterol from the body. You can find soluble fiber in lots of foods like legumes, fruits, and vegetables.
Foods free of dairy and gluten: Both dairy and gluten can contribute to insulin resistance and other negative PCOS symptoms. Going gluten and dairy free may be very beneficial for your cholesterol and overall PCOS management.
If this feels overwhelming, I completely understand. Many Cysters feel like they don’t know where to start, but they know they need to do something. That’s why I created The Cysterhood.
There, you can join others working towards the same goals as you, and you’ll get regular PCOS-friendly workouts and a delicious meal plan that can help you lower cholesterol and improve many of your debilitating PCOS symptoms.
PCOS can cause high cholesterol, but lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) affects so much in our bodies. Sometimes it can feel like you’re totally out of control, but hang tight. Though there is no cure for PCOS, you can heal and feel whole again. Check out my blog and podcast to get the info you need to naturally remedy your PCOS. You can do this! Just, don’t do it alone. Join our community, and let’s do this thing together.
1 in 10 women in the U.S. has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), making it one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women today. That said, PCOS could be even more prevalent than we think. Experts estimate up to 70% of Cysters go undiagnosed. It’s a pretty shocking statistic! And it’s heartbreaking to think how many women are struggling with symptoms that could be reversed if they only knew what was going on.
PCOS often goes undiagnosed simply because of a lack of knowledge. Most doctors aren’t super well-educated on the condition and, even if they were, no single test can definitively diagnose you. On top of that, women are often told their symptoms are normal, in their head, or simply due to stress, weight, or crappy sleep.
As a Cyster myself and a PCOS dietitian, I want to help other women get diagnosed, understand their condition, and find natural healing. So, in this post, I’m going to get into it all! I’ll explain what PCOS is, where it comes from, and how you can reverse your symptoms.
Here’s what you need to know:
What is PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?
Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a chronic hormonal and metabolic condition. It affects women of reproductive age and usually involves three main root issues: insulin resistance, inflammation, and hormonal imbalance. Because these problems can impact the body in so many ways, PCOS looks a little different for every Cyster.
Note: Polycystic ovary syndrome is actually a terrible name for this condition. Initially, doctors thought the trademark symptom of PCOS was cysts on the ovaries. However, many women with PCOS don’t ever have cysts! So, don’t let the name fool you. Even without cystic ovaries, you could still have PCOS.
When Does PCOS Develop?
PCOS usually pops up around puberty. That said, this isn’t true for everyone—sometimes symptoms don’t become obvious until later in life. A few early signs of PCOS during puberty include:
Irregular or very painful periods
Persistent acne
Rapid weight gain (and can’t lose weight)
Excess hair growth on the face and body
What Causes PCOS?
Genetics
Genetics definitely play a role in PCOS—a pretty big one, actually! Between 20-40% of Cysters have a close female relative with PCOS or related health problems. A family history of Type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and autoimmune disease can all increase your chances of having PCOS as well.
Hormonal Imbalances
At its core, PCOS is a hormonal condition, and imbalanced hormone levels are one of the main triggers for symptoms. Think of hormones like messengers that tell our whole body what to do. When there’s dysregulation, the side effects can quickly become overwhelming—and pop up throughout your entire body. Here are some common hormonal imbalances you’ll find with PCOS:
Up to 80% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance. This is when your body doesn’t respond to glucose properly. Instead of converting sugar to energy, it’s stored as fat and absorbed into the bloodstream. This causes a lot of metabolic and hormonal problems and a long list of symptoms.
Some doctors theorize that PCOS may be an autoimmune disease. They’re very common in women and seem to be linked to problems in the reproductive system. More specifically, many Cysters have chronic, low-grade inflammation, like those with an autoimmune disease.
It means their immune system is constantly activated, which, over time, can cause disruption all throughout the body. It can even worsen insulin resistance and hormonal balance. Inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalance all feed into each other in a vicious, exhausting cycle.
Disrupted Brain-Ovary Communication
PCOS can also involve disrupted communication between the brain and the ovaries. Normally, the brain sends balanced hormonal signals to the ovaries, telling them when to ovulate and how much estrogen and progesterone to produce. With PCOS, these signals can become out of rhythm.
When this happens, the ovaries may produce high levels of androgens while ovulation becomes irregular or stops altogether. This leads to low progesterone and contributes to common PCOS symptoms like irregular periods, acne, hair changes, and fertility challenges. Insulin resistance and chronic inflammation can worsen this signaling issue, reinforcing the hormone imbalances seen in PCOS.
Types of PCOS
As you research your condition, you’ll find a few main “types of PCOS.” These aren’t hard and fast categories, and most women won’t perfectly fit in any one box. However, knowing your PCOS type helps you understand the core issue driving most of your symptoms. That way, you can target that primary problem first!
Below, I’ll explain each category in more depth. However, make sure you take this PCOS type quiz, too.
Insulin-Resistant PCOS
This is the most common PCOS type, and it’s driven by blood sugar dysregulation. You may have insulin-resistant PCOS if you deal with stubborn weight gain (especially belly weight), intense sugar/carb cravings, feeling hungry soon after eating, fatigue after meals, skin darkening (acanthosis nigricans), or skin tags. A doctor can help confirm it with labs like fasting insulin, glucose/A1C, or an oral glucose tolerance test.
Inflammatory PCOS occurs when chronic, low-grade inflammation is a major driver of your symptoms. You may have this type if you experience bloating, puffiness, cystic acne, rashes, joint aches, brain fog, fatigue, or a weight loss plateau. This is especially true if symptoms flare after certain foods (common culprits are gluten/dairy for many Cysters). Lab clues can include markers like C-reactive protein (CRP), along with your symptom patterns and food sensitivities.
Adrenal PCOS
Adrenal PCOS is tied to stress hormones and an overworked nervous system. You may have this type if your symptoms worsen during stressful seasons of life. Other common symptoms include chronic fatigue, anxiety, trouble sleeping, feeling “wired but tired,” and irregular cycles. And, similar to insulin-resistant PCOS, you may also deal with weight retention that gets worse with intense workouts or restrictive dieting.
It’s often identified by your symptom pattern and cortisol/stress markers (with your doctor), and by noticing how your body responds to rest, sleep, and low-impact movement.
Post-Pill PCOS
Post-pill PCOS refers to PCOS-like symptoms that appear after stopping hormonal birth control. Birth control suppresses ovulation and alters natural hormone signaling. When you discontinue it, the body has to relearn how to regulate hormones and cycles on its own. For some women, this transition is smooth. But for others, underlying issues like insulin resistance or inflammation surface once the pill is no longer masking symptoms.
You may have post-pill PCOS if your periods don’t return within a few months, or you notice new or worsening acne, hair shedding, mood swings, weight gain, or cycle irregularity after stopping birth control. This type is often identified by timing—symptoms that began after discontinuing the pill rather than earlier in life. Additionally, it typically improves as hormone signaling stabilizes with the right support.
Note: People also often wonder if you can get PCOS after having kids. The short answer is no, but read my post: “Can You Develop PCOS After Pregnancy?” for more details.
Thyroid-Related PCOS
Thyroid-related PCOS occurs when thyroid dysfunction contributes to or worsens PCOS symptoms. The thyroid plays a major role in metabolism, ovulation, and hormone regulation. As a result, even subtle thyroid imbalances can disrupt menstrual cycles and amplify androgen-related symptoms.
You may have thyroid-related PCOS if you experience persistent fatigue, unexplained weight gain, hair thinning, cold sensitivity, dry skin, constipation, or irregular periods, especially if these symptoms don’t improve with typical PCOS strategies alone. This type is usually identified through thyroid lab testing (such as TSH, free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies). Also, it’s particularly important to address untreated thyroid issues, as they can make PCOS symptoms harder to manage.
Symptoms of PCOS
Reproductive and Fertility Symptoms
Irregular menstrual cycles
Missed or infrequent periods
Very heavy or very light periods
Lack of ovulation (anovulation)
Difficulty getting pregnant
Irregular or delayed ovulation
Difficulty getting pregnant
Poor egg quality
Thickened uterine lining
Implantation issues
Recurrent miscarriage
Reduced cervical mucus
Metabolic and Blood Sugar Symptoms
Insulin resistance
Sugar or carbohydrate cravings
Fatigue after meals
Difficulty losing weight
Stubborn weight gain
Central (belly) fat accumulation
Skin and Hair Symptoms
Excess facial or body hair (hirsutism)
Thinning scalp hair or hair loss
Persistent adult acne
Oily skin or scalp
Darkened skin patches (acanthosis nigricans)
Skin tags
Energy, Mood, and Mental Health Symptoms
Chronic fatigue
Brain fog
Mood swings
Anxiety or depression
Low motivation or energy
Digestive and Inflammatory Symptoms
Bloating
Digestive discomfort
Puffiness or fluid retention
Joint or muscle aches
Can You Have PCOS Without Symptoms?
Yes! I often talk about “reversing PCOS” in my content. However, no matter what you do, you’ll always have PCOS. But, with the right lifestyle changes, you can naturally regulate hormones, ease inflammation, and increase insulin sensitivity. When you do this, the main drivers of PCOS symptoms disappear.
Even if you haven’t made a lot of changes, you may have fewer symptoms if you already have healthy eating, sleeping, and exercise habits. You’re already on your way to healing!
Complications of PCOS: Understanding Long-Term Risk
Treatment for PCOS: Natural Lifestyle Changes for Healing
The PCOS Weight Loss blog and our companion podcast, A Cyster and Her Mister, are all about holistically treating PCOS. No side-effect-heavy drugs, invasive procedures, or questionable trends—just a few strategic, natural, and research-backed changes to your daily life. For a full rundown, read our essential guide to managing PCOS naturally and download The Cysterhood app. There, you’ll find the resources you need to kickstart your healing journey!
Here’s each lifestyle change and how it can affect the root issues of PCOS:
Yes. Definitely see a doctor if you suspect PCOS. I know it can be frustrating and, at times, difficult to get a provider to take your symptoms seriously. However, having medical support really matters.
A doctor can help confirm a diagnosis, rule out other conditions, check for potential complications, and monitor your health over time. You can also use these appointments to discuss supplements, lifestyle changes, and other therapies that may support your natural healing process.
What Doctor Treats PCOS?
OB-GYN (Obstetrician–Gynecologist): Diagnoses PCOS, evaluates menstrual cycles and ovulation, orders pelvic ultrasounds, and manages period or fertility-related symptoms
Endocrinologist: Treats hormone and metabolic imbalances, such as insulin resistance, high androgen levels, thyroid dysfunction, and adrenal issues
Reproductive Endocrinologist: Helps women with PCOS who are trying to conceive, including ovulation support, egg quality concerns, and fertility treatments like IUI or IVF
Primary Care Physician: Orders initial labs, monitors long-term health risks (diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure), and coordinates care between specialists
Registered Dietitian (PCOS-trained): Supports blood sugar regulation, inflammation reduction, and hormone balance through personalized nutrition and lifestyle strategies
Functional or Integrative Medicine Doctor: Takes a root-cause, whole-body approach and often uses more comprehensive lab testing to identify underlying drivers of PCOS symptoms
Mental Health Professional (Therapist or Psychologist): Helps manage the emotional, mental health, and stress-related impacts of PCOS
How Do Doctors Test for PCOS?
As I said earlier, no one test can definitively diagnose PCOS. Because of this, getting PCOS diagnosed can be a long and difficult process. Each type of doctor will also only have certain expertise and capabilities in terms of types of tests, so seeing multiple providers may be necessary. Here’s what they’ll look into:
Medical history
Symptom review
Hormone blood testing
Metabolic blood testing
Pelvic ultrasound
A doctor will then review the results and diagnose you based on the Rotterdam Criteria. According to this framework, a woman has PCOS if she has two of the following symptoms:
No. Some people with PCOS assume it will go away after menopause, but that isn’t the case. While certain symptoms may improve, metabolic risks can actually worsen over time. And if you’re thinking hormonal birth control, Ozempic, or metformin are a cure for PCOS, you’d unfortunately be wrong there, too. Medications can help manage symptoms, but they don’t address the root causes of the condition.
That said, while PCOS doesn’t simply disappear on its own, it is reversible with intention and consistency. Targeted lifestyle changes—like eating to support hormone balance, exercising regularly, taking the right supplements, and prioritizing quality sleep—can make a huge difference. With each positive change, symptoms often improve one by one, until PCOS no longer runs your life.
PCOS is a common hormonal and metabolic disorder in women of reproductive age.
PCOS is prevalent, complex, and far too often misunderstood—but it doesn’t have to control your life. If there’s one takeaway from all of this, it’s that your symptoms are real and they have real root causes. More importantly, there are natural, effective ways to manage symptoms once you understand what’s going on in your body.
The more informed you are about PCOS, the easier it becomes to advocate for yourself, target the right issues, and start healing—one intentional change at a time. You’re not broken, and you’re definitely not alone.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that affects lots of women of reproductive age. Since it’s primarily a hormonal problem, it can impact pretty much every part of your body, causing a long list of symptoms. One of the most well-known symptoms of PCOS is irregular, infrequent, or absent periods. In fact, doctors start looking at a possible PCOS diagnosis when your periods are more than 35 days apart.
But, this begs the question: Are irregular periods essential for a PCOS diagnosis? Can you have PCOS and regular periods? It’s a great question, especially if you’re on a mission to understand what’s happening in your body and heal to live symptom-free despite your condition! So, let’s get into the specifics of PCOS and periods.
Can You Have PCOS With Regular Periods?
Yes! Though uncommon, women with PCOS can have normal periods. Studies show that just over 72% of Cysters have menstrual cycles disorders like irregular periods or absent periods, which is a lot. However, the other 28% of us don’t have that experience. There are actually four types of PCOS: inflammatory PCOS, insulin-resistant PCOS, adrenal fatigue PCOS, and hypothyroid PCOS.
Adrenal and insulin-resistant PCOS both come with lots of hormonal imbalances that could lead to irregular periods like high testosterone, high cortisol, estrogen dominance, low progesterone, and more. However, inflammatory PCOS and hypothyroid PCOS may not have the same effect on your reproductive system that would trigger an irregular period.
The primary reason PCOS impacts your periods is hormone imbalances. High levels of androgens (male sex hormones like testosterone) can cause anovulation, irregular periods, or no periods at all. This is where it all starts! Then, estrogen dominance and low progesterone can further affect the irregularity and actually thicken the uterine lining. That means when your period does come, it can be heavy and painful.
Something else that can trigger these hormonal imbalances is insulin resistance. This is when your body doesn’t process glucose correctly, and instead of converting glucose to energy, it absorbs it as fat and elevates those blood sugar levels. All of this strain on the body also stimulates the ovaries to produce more androgens, impacting the menstrual cycle and other symptoms of PCOS (like weight gain, body hair growth, acne, mood swings, high blood pressure, hair loss, and more!) Check out our post “What Are Periods Like With PCOS?” to learn more.
How to Get Regular Periods in PCOS
If you are a Cyster who struggles with irregular periods, this is a symptom you can reverse naturally. You may have been told hormonal birth control is the only way, but that’s simply not true! Getting to the root of your hormonal issues can help you find whole-body relief and finally get your periods back on track. Here’s what you can do:
Eat a balanced diet without skipping meals.
What you eat is SO important. The food we put in our bodies has a direct impact on the three things causing most of your PCOS symptoms (including irregular periods): inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormone balance. And, no, you don’t need to go on a super-restrictive, stressful diet.
I recommend a gluten- and dairy-free anti-inflammatory diet. Cutting back on gluten, dairy, sugar, fried foods, and having red meat in moderation can relieve inflammation. And, since inflammation can trigger hormonal imbalances and insulin resistance, those can get better, too! I also recommend limiting alcohol, since some mixed drinks are high in carbs, and limiting caffeine, since it can mess with your cortisol levels (which is a stress hormone).
You should also eat three balanced meals a day, including lots of fiber and healthy fat. Fiber has been shown to balance estrogen levels while healthy fats are naturally anti-inflammatory and blood sugar-balancing! When you break that cycle of inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalance, you are more likely to see big changes in your period. Be sure to include protein and carbs as well– finding your Carb Tolerance Range can help with this.
And, yes, this can be just as delicious and satisfying as your current diet—except this one will make you feel good. You can find lots of PCOS-friendly recipes like buffalo chicken pizza, one pot taco pasta, and low-carb chocolate chip cookies on The Cysterhood app. It’s the best toolkit for Cysers looking to reverse their symptoms!
Am I advocating you drink 5 different teas every day? No, we have a blend launching soon on our website, Ovafit! Check out our Testosterone Relief Tea that blends all the best herbs and teas for PCOS together in one powerful BPA-free tea bag. I can’t wait to share it with you! Stay tuned!
Do slow-weighted workouts regularly.
Exercise is another all-around healing tool that can help heal inflammation, insulin resistance, and hormonal imbalances. However, don’t just do ANY workout. You don’t want anything that pumps you full of adrenaline and cortisol (like high-intensity workouts), because that can actually worsen insulin resistance, which then dominos into problems with inflammation and hormonal imbalances. Of course, that means irregular periods!
Stress can also wreak havoc on your hormones. High cortisol (stress hormones) can result in insulin resistance, which can then lead to inflammation and high testosterone. (Sound familiar?) Plus, we’ve all heard about how stress can mess up our periods! So, reducing stress is key to regulating those menstrual cycles.
You can do this by cutting caffeine (as I discussed earlier), spending time in nature, doing things that you love, exercising regularly, meditating, and other acts of self-care! Do what relaxes you and makes you happy.
Take beneficial vitamins and supplements.
Supplements can be super helpful for filling nutritional gaps that allow your body to thrive and carry out its normal functioning properly! Some of the best supplements to encourage regular periods are Ovasitol, vitamin D3, omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc! You can grab all these hormone-balancing supplements on Ovafit, my PCOS-friendly supplement line! They’re gluten- and dairy-free and NSF-certified! They’re the highest quality and can work wonders on our PCOS symptoms.
You can have regular periods and still be diagnosed with PCOS!
If you’ve ruled out PCOS because your periods are regular, don’t be so quick to cross this one off. There are a lot of symptoms and types of PCOS, so it’s best to investigate each one before coming to conclusions. I recommend getting your labs done to track hormones to get the clearest pictures of your diagnosis. Whatever the result, I’m here to help you reach your goals! The Cysterhood will be here for you!
