Author: Tallene

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that affects millions of women. Usually those with PCOS start showing early signs shortly after puberty, and the symptoms reach their peak during reproductive years. These chronic symptoms include infertility, fatigue, weight gain, headaches, excessive hair growth on the face/body, head hair loss, sleep problems, mood swings, and more! 

Where do these symptoms come from? The root issues of PCOS are inflammation, insulin resistance, and, of course, hormone dysregulation! Some of the hormones that are out of whack are sex hormones like estrogen, testosterone, and progesterone. If you’re a Cyster and you’re hopeful for symptom relief and PCOS healing, you’ve probably wondered if menopause will bring an end to your chronic symptoms. It’s a great question!

So, today, I am dedicating this post to discussing how PCOS impacts menopause. We’ll get into all the details, so you know what to expect as you reach your 50s! 

Does PCOS Cause Early Menopause?

No. PCOS doesn’t cause early menopause. In fact, Cysters often experience delayed menopause! However, some symptoms of menopause are similar to PCOS, so it can be easy to mistake the two. Some overlapping symptoms of PCOS and menopause are: 

• Irregular or Absent Periods: Menopause is usually marked when you have a full year of no periods. So, when a woman experiences amenorrhea with PCOS, it can be mistaken for menopause. 
• Hot Flashes: Hormonal imbalances in both PCOS and menopause can affect the hypothalamus, which is the part of the brain that regulates body temperature. This can make the body feel hot.  
• Mood Swings: Hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, sleeping issues, and more can cause mood swings in PCOS. Mood issues are common with menopausal hormone changes, too! 
• Weight Gain: Women with PCOS struggle to lose weight due to insulin resistance. With menopause, it’s because of hormone shifts! A big drop in estrogen can lead to an increase in androgen levels and insulin resistance. This results in the accumulation of abdominal fat similar to PCOS belly.  
• Sleep Disturbances: That drop in estrogen (as well as a dip in progesterone) can impact sleep in menopause. Similarly, the hormone imbalances affect sleep with PCOS. 
• Acne and Skin Problems: Low female hormone levels is to blame for this one, too! Drops in estrogen with menopause can lead to excess oil and reduced collagen production. PCOS causes acne due to elevated androgens levels, while other skin problems with PCOS (like skin darkening and skin tags) result from insulin resistance. 

How Does PCOS Affect Menopause

The hormonal imbalances of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can affect menopause in quite a few ways. It’s a good idea for Cysters to be aware of how they may experience menopause differently before this season of life begins. Here’s what you can expect: 

Cysters experience menopause later than average. 

Most Cysters reach menopause later than other women. Menopause sets in for most women at around 50, but Cysters may not experience menopause for a few years after that! This is because women with PCOS have a larger ovarian reserve, which means more follicles (eggs) in the ovaries, which lengthens our reproductive lifespan. (More on this below!)

Hormones decline more gradually in perimenopause. 

Women with PCOS often experience a more gradual decline in hormones during the perimenopause phase. The unpredictable hormone fluctuations caused by irregular menstrual cycles, prominent insulin resistance, and elevated levels of male hormones all contribute to a slower decline in the hormones that trigger menopause. 

This means people with PCOS will have a longer perimenopause phase, which is the transitional period that leads into menopause. It usually starts in a woman’s 30s or 40s as hormones start to change. Symptoms usually include hot flashes, night sweats, mood swings, sleep disturbances, and vaginal dryness. It can be hard to spot since many of these symptoms overlap with PCOS symptoms. 

Increases the risk of osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

As women transition into menopause, the risk of osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease naturally increases due to shifts in hormone levels. Estrogen plays a key role in bone health, so as it declines, bone density decreases—raising the risk of osteoporosis. At the same time, insulin resistance tends to worsen with age, making blood sugar management more challenging and increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

For women with PCOS, these concerns are even greater. Many Cysters already struggle with high blood sugar and estrogen imbalances long before menopause, meaning these risks start earlier and can become more severe if left unaddressed. The good news? There are steps you can take now to support your long-term health, balance your hormones, and reduce your risk of complications down the road!

The symptoms of menopause can be challenging. 

Because hormone levels in women with PCOS are already imbalanced, fluctuations during perimenopause and menopause just fuel the fire. This can increase your risk factors for long-term complications and make the symptoms of PCOS and menopause more complicated. You’re probably familiar with the symptoms of PCOS, but here are some common menopausal symptoms:

• Vaginal Dryness
• Decreased Libido 
• Hot Flashes
• Night Sweats
• Irregular Periods
• Mood Changes 
• Sleep Disturbances
• Increased Urinary Frequency
• Memory Problems 
• Thinning Hair
• Acne and Skin Texture Changes 

The good news? Addressing your hormonal imbalances and the root causes of PCOS now can help ease both PCOS and menopause symptoms down the road. Making intentional lifestyle shifts—like following an anti-inflammatory gluten- and dairy-free diet, prioritizing slow-weighted workouts, improving sleep hygiene, and taking high-quality supplements for PCOS—can set you up for success. Taking these steps before menopause can help you feel your best, lower your risk of complications, and create a lifestyle where you can truly thrive with PCOS!

Learn more by reading my essential guide to naturally managing PCOS.

Supplements to Support PCOS Through Menopause

Your body needs all the support it can get when going through this big transition. Taking supplements is one of the best ways you can ensure all your systems have the fuel they need to function optimally. For the best results, choose a supplement brand like Ovafit that’s clean, third-party tested, highly bioavailable, and made specifically for women with PCOS. 

Here’s what I recommend:

• Inositol: This supports insulin sensitivity, helps maintain steadier energy, improves mood, and reduces cravings. These are all key benefits as estrogen declines and insulin resistance becomes harder to manage during menopause.
• Omega-3: This reduces inflammation, supports heart health, and may ease menopausal symptoms such as mood swings and joint stiffness.
• Multivitamin: This provides foundational nutrients that are often depleted during perimenopause and menopause. A good formula should include B vitamins to support energy and mood, vitamin D and K2 to maintain bone strength, vitamin E for antioxidant protection and hot-flash support, and minerals like zinc and selenium to help balance thyroid function and overall hormone health. For more, read my guide to PCOS multivitamins. 
• Berberine: This is a powerful insulin-sensitizing supplement that helps counter the natural rise in insulin resistance that occurs with age, supporting healthier blood sugar and metabolism.
• Curcumin: This offers potent anti-inflammatory benefits that help reduce joint pain, calm systemic inflammation, and support metabolic health during hormonal transitions.
• Probiotics: These help maintain a balanced gut microbiome, support digestion and immunity, and promote healthier blood sugar regulation as hormone shifts impact digestive and metabolic function. Here are the best probiotics for PCOS.

When Does Menopause Start With PCOS?

Perimenopause, the transition into menopause, starts in a woman’s late 30s or 40s. A Cyster will probably experience perimenopause later on that spectrum! Menopause itself will start at the earliest around 50, but many women with PCOS go through menopause a year or more after that. 

As I mentioned earlier, women with PCOS actually have a higher number of follicles (aka eggs) in their ovarian reserve, which can extend reproductive years. This might seem surprising since PCOS is often linked to fertility struggles, but having more eggs doesn’t necessarily mean they’re maturing properly. High androgen levels (male sex hormones) can prevent eggs from fully developing, leaving many small, immature follicles. So, while Cysters may have a larger ovarian reserve, overall egg quality tends to be lower. Because of this, PCOS can sometimes delay menopause, as the body continues producing hormones for a few extra years beyond the typical timeline.

Does PCOS Go Away With Menopause?

Unfortunately, no—PCOS isn’t just a reproductive condition; it’s a metabolic one, too. So, menopause does not cure PCOS. While some symptoms, like high testosterone, may ease up after menopause (which can mean less acne, hair loss, or excess facial and body hair), other issues like insulin resistance and inflammation don’t just disappear on their own. In fact, they can get worse if left unmanaged, leading to symptoms like high body mass index, fatigue, poor sleep, mood swings, and immune issues.

But here’s the good news: even though PCOS doesn’t go away, you can take charge of your symptoms at any stage of life! By targeting the root causes—insulin resistance, inflammation, and hormonal imbalances—you can feel your best before, during, and after menopause. Inside The Cysterhood app, we guide you through lifestyle changes designed to support your body for the long haul!

PCOS does not cause early menopause. In fact, menopause starts late for many Cysters!

If you have PCOS, approaching menopause can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be! The best thing you can do is start supporting your body now so you can step into this next chapter feeling strong, confident, and in control of your health. We’re here to help every step of the way! Stay tuned to the PCOS Weight Loss blog and A Cyster and Her Mister podcast for all the resources, expert insights, and encouragement you need. Because yes, Cyster—you can thrive with PCOS, even after menopause!

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects a woman’s reproductive hormones. Of course, because of its impact on the reproductive system, women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) often experience symptoms like infertility, ovarian cysts, pelvic pain, bloating, heavy periods, and irregular menstrual cycles. 

These reproductive symptoms can be challenging for any Cyster, but especially those trying to conceive. (Here’s more on how PCOS affects pregnancy.) Imbalances of estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and other hormones can reduce egg quality, stop ovulation, hinder implantation, disrupt sperm transport, increase miscarriage risk, and make it difficult to know when you’re pregnant at all. 

Not only does the irregularity of your periods make it difficult to know when to take a pregnancy test, but many first trimester pregnancy symptoms overlap with daily PCOS symptoms. And, with all the reproductive hormone imbalances, you may be wondering if pregnancy tests are reliable at all! 

So, today I’m going to discuss pregnancy tests! I’ll talk about whether or not pregnancy tests are dependable for us Cysters, when you should take one, how you should take one, and what type works best for PCOS. 

PCOS And False Positive Pregnancy Tests: Causes, Myths, and Solutions

Many women with PCOS experience crazy period irregularity! This is because of imbalances of hormones like testosterone. When you have elevated androgens (male sex hormones), your ovaries don’t get the proper signaling to produce and release eggs. 

Ovulation usually triggers the production of progesterone to thicken the uterine lining, which will eventually be shed during your period. But, with no ovulation, no progesterone is produced, so no period happens at all! As long as hormones remain dysregulated, periods can be super irregular or absent altogether. 

We all know people usually take pregnancy tests a few days after their missed period. It’s often the first sign for women that they may be pregnant! However, a missing period isn’t abnormal to most Cysters, making it difficult to determine a good time to take a pregnancy test. And, after all, without the proper hormone production, should a woman with PCOS even trust a pregnancy test?

Let’s get into it:

How Do Pregnancy Tests Work?

Home pregnancy tests detect pregnancy by measuring a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). It only enters the bloodstream and your urine when your body begins developing a placenta. The pregnancy test uses antibodies that are specifically designed to bind with hCG. That way, when you pee on a test strip (or dip it into urine) it picks up on even small amounts of hCG. 

A pregnancy blood test that you’d receive at the doctor also measures hCG, but it measures exact amounts of hCG. They’re also significantly more sensitive. They can confirm pregnancy at as little as 6 days after ovulation, whereas an at-home pregnancy test won’t detect hCG until closer to 12 days after ovulation. 

Can PCOS Cause A False Positive Pregnancy Test?

Yes! There are rare circumstances where PCOS can cause a false positive pregnancy test. Many women with PCOS have elevated levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), which is a hormone involved with ovulation. LH is structurally similar to hCG, so low-quality tests can, in rare circumstances, struggle to distinguish between the two, offering a false positive pregnancy test. 

There’s one other way PCOS can cause a false positive pregnancy test. Certain types of ovarian cysts can produce small amounts of hCG. Corpus luteum cysts, theca-lutein cysts, and luteinized unruptured follicles (LUFs) can all produce hCG in rare cases. 

Is it Common with PCOS to Get a False Negative Pregnancy Test?

You may be thinking: what about false negatives? These are much more common in women in general! When women test too early (which is easy to do if you’re not sure when you last ovulated), the hCG amounts may be too low to be detected on an at-home pregnancy test. Old tests may also lose their effectiveness over time and fail to detect lower levels of hCG.

Other Reasons for False Positive Pregnancy Tests

Chemical Pregnancy

A chemical pregnancy is a very early miscarriage that occurs 6-12 days after ovulation (or before 5 weeks pregnant). Shortly after implantation, the pregnancy fails to progress due to hormone imbalances, chromosomal abnormalities, uterine issues, poor immune health, low egg quality, stress, or other factors. 

Sometimes when you test, you get a positive pregnancy test from the small amount of hCG that has been released, despite the fact the pregnancy has already ended. Usually, a day or two after the false positive, you’ll get negative tests due to the hCG rapidly dropping. 

Evaporation Lines

All pregnancy tests have a set time when you should read the results—most recommend somewhere between 3 and 10 minutes. If you attempt to read the test after that set reading time, it may show a false positive. This is because the urine has dried up on the test, leaving a faint, colorless streak that can be mistaken for that “second line.” 

Blue dye tests tend to be more prone to evaporation lines, so use pink dye tests and toss them after they’ve read negative by the recommended reading time. 

Fertility Treatments or Medications 

Some Cysters undergo fertility treatments to get pregnant with PCOS. When you participate in IUI or IVF, you’ll probably be given “trigger shots” to induce ovulation. The trigger shots contain hCG, and enough of it that it can show up on a pregnancy test even before fertilization or implantation occurs. 

Medical Conditions

There are a few medical conditions out there like Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD), molar pregnancy, pituitary tumors, and certain types of cancers that can sometimes cause a false positive, because they all trigger the body to produce hCG at the wrong time. 

Expired or Faulty Tests

Old, damaged, or faulty tests may not function like they’re supposed to. They’re way more likely to deliver a false negative result, but in some cases, they can cause a false positive—especially when you consider how evaporation lines could be mistaken for a positive pregnancy test! 

Recent Pregnancy or Miscarriage 

If you’ve recently experienced a pregnancy loss or were pregnant, your hCG levels may still be elevated. This can result in a positive pregnancy test even after the pregnancy has ended. It typically takes a few weeks for hCG to leave your system completely, but the timeline is different for everyone. If you’re navigating this, please know you’re not alone—give yourself grace, and reach out for support if you need it.

Are False Positive Pregnancy Tests Common​?

No. Getting a positive result on a pregnancy test and not being pregnant is incredibly rare. These tests are designed to detect human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). This hormone is only produced after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus.

The only time a pregnancy test would come back positive when you’re not pregnant is if you recently had a miscarriage (even if you don’t know you had one, like in the event of a chemical pregnancy). Or, if you read a pregnancy test after the recommended time window laid out in the instruction manual, it may appear positive. This happens because the urine has dried and an evaporation line has formed.

Can a UTI Cause a False Positive Pregnancy Test?

No. There’s no reason a urinary tract infection (UTI) would cause a false positive pregnancy test. 

What Medications Can Cause a False Positive Pregnancy Test?

The only medications that would potentially cause a false positive pregnancy test are certain fertility medications. Before IVF or IUI, women often receive an hCG trigger shot, which can make a pregnancy test appear positive. Because of this, fertility doctors will tell you the exact date you should test for pregnancy after your injection to ensure you’re getting an accurate result.

When To Take A Pregnancy Test With PCOS

The general rule is to take a pregnancy test a few days after your missed period to get accurate results but with irregular periods, you may have no idea when you’ve ovulated or “missed” your period! This is especially true if you don’t track your menstrual cycles by taking ovulation tests. (Here’s more on how to track ovulation with PCOS!) 

If you don’t know where you are in your cycle, pay attention to your body and identify irregular symptoms. Some PCOS symptoms and first trimester pregnancy symptoms overlap, but here are distinct pregnancy symptoms you can watch out for: 

• Nausea and vomiting 
• Breast tenderness
• Frequent urination
• New food cravings and aversions
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Spotting
• Heightened sense of smell and smell aversions
• Increased basal body temperature 
• Changes in cervical mucus
• Leg cramps 
• Vivid dreams

What Is The Best Pregnancy Test For PCOS?

Most pregnancy tests on the market are going to give you accurate, reliable results despite PCOS! However, I recommend you get something that’s sensitive to lower levels of hCG and uses pink dyes or a digital readout to avoid evaporation lines. Here are some good options:

• Early Detection: First Response Early Result (pink dye and detects hCG as low as 6.3 mIU/mL) 
• Digital Option: Clearblue Digital (clear readout and detects hCG at around 25 mIU/mL)
• Frequent Testing: Easy@Home Pregnancy Test Strips (pink dye, detects hCG around 25 mIU/mL, and bulk quantity for trying to conceive) 

How To Take a Pregnancy Test With PCOS

Step 1: Determine if it’s time to test. 

Consider your symptoms, when you had sex, and where you may be in your cycle. With that information, determine the best time to test, which is going to be 12-14 days post-ovulation. 

Step 2: Choose the right type of pregnancy test. 

Choose a pregnancy test that uses pink dye or a digital readout. And, for the most accurate results, get an early response test. 

Step 3: Take the test first thing in the morning. 

Your first pee of the morning will have the highest concentration of hCG, so it’s the best time to get a reliable result! 

Step 4: Wait 3-10 minutes to read the results. 

Follow the directions on the box for reading times! Usually they’re between 3-10 minutes. Wait for the full duration to pass before interpreting the results.

Step 5: Read the results and make a plan for next steps. 

Time to read the results! If the result is negative, discard the test before a potential evaporation line appears. You can make plans to test again in a few days or see your doctor for whatever unusual symptoms you’re experiencing. 

If the result is positive, congratulations! It’s probably not a false positive—remember, they’re rare! However, you can continue to test over the next few days. If the lines continue to get darker, your hCG levels are rising, showing you’re definitely pregnant! 

Step 6: If positive, follow-up with your doctor right away. 

Once you get a positive test, follow-up with your doctor right away, even if you have fears it may be a false positive. Either way, something is going on that’s producing hCG, and that needs medical attention. As I said, false positives are rare, so chances are you’re pregnant! 

Prenatal care is always important, but it’s especially important with PCOS, when certain hormonal imbalances could increase the risk of miscarriage. See your doctor as soon as possible to make plans for the healthiest pregnancy possible. 

Here’s my post on how to have a healthy pregnancy with PCOS. 

Step 7: Confirm with a blood test if needed. 

If there are any doubts you’re pregnant, your doctor will order a blood test to measure the exact levels of hCG. They may even run multiple tests over a few weeks to ensure your hCG levels are increasing as expected. 

False positive pregnancy test results are rare, but are possible with PCOS!

When you have PCOS, knowing what’s happening in your body can be really difficult. There’s so much chaos, it can be easy to miss changes that are signalling you’re pregnant. That’s why it’s so important to start naturally healing your PCOS and reversing your symptoms. 

Your body doesn’t have to be in a state of chaos you can bring back harmony using a gluten- and dairy-free anti-inflammatory diet, slow-weighted exercises, better sleep hygiene, the right supplements, and other intentional lifestyle changes. For preconception supplements specific for women with PCOS, be sure to check out Purely Prenatal. You can find out more on the PCOS Weight Loss blog and on The Cysterhood app. It’s time to take back control of your fertility and overall health! 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common hormonal condition that affects women of reproductive age. There are a lot of symptoms of PCOS you’re probably familiar with: irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth on the face/body, and weight gain are a few side effects of PCOS that most people don’t understand we face. However, there are a number of unusual symptoms of PCOS, too!

As Cysters, knowing exactly how PCOS affects your body is super important. It can help reveal what type of PCOS you have, what root issues you might be dealing with, and, more importantly, what you need to do to heal your body and reverse your symptoms. 

So, today, I want to talk about skin tags, a lesser-known but common symptom women with PCOS often deal with! Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) can affect the skin in several ways, in fact. Let’s discuss why and how you can improve this symptom! 

PCOS And Skin Tags: How They’re Related

Skin tags are still somewhat of a mystery in the medical world—just like PCOS! While their exact root cause isn’t fully understood, we do know that certain factors can increase the likelihood of developing them. Many of these same factors are directly linked to PCOS, which means addressing the root causes of your symptoms can also help improve your skin health!

What Is A Skin Tag?

A skin tag is a small growth that develops on areas of the body where there is friction or skin folds. You’ll probably notice them around your neck, armpits, groin, eyelids, under the breasts, or between stomach folds. They’re narrow, smooth, or slightly wrinkled and don’t cause pain. These “tags” are also non-cancerous and pose no risk to your health. They’re more of a cosmetic issue than a true medical concern. 

Are Skin Tags A Sign of PCOS?

If the only symptom of PCOS you have are skin tags, that wouldn’t be enough to get a diagnosis. However, if skin tags are one of many symptoms of this condition you’re experiencing, it is worth bringing up to your doctor for a possible PCOS diagnosis.

As I mentioned, other skin issues could be due to PCOS, too! The same root issues leading to skin tags often lead to dark skin patches and acne as well. 

Why Does PCOS Cause Skin Tags?

Two of the core issues with PCOS are insulin resistance and hormonal dysregulation. Both can cause skin tags! Insulin resistance is when your body doesn’t respond correctly to insulin. Instead of turning glucose into energy, the body stores the sugar as fat and absorbs it into the bloodstream. This can lead to weight gain, cravings, fatigue, brain fog, skin darkening, and, of course, skin tags! 

Additionally, one of the main hormonal imbalances women with PCOS face is high levels of androgens (male sex hormones). Androgens like testosterone have their place in the female body, but elevated levels can wreak havoc! They can cause some reproductive symptoms like irregular periods, ovarian cysts, and infertility. However, high androgens can also cause skin problems like skin darkening, acne, and skin tags! 

This is because high androgens can lead to excess oil production, an overgrowth of skin cells, low collagen output, and less skin elasticity. All this impacts skin health, leading to acne, skin darkening, and skin tags. Plus, high androgens can even worsen insulin resistance! 

Therefore, one of the options we have to improving skin health and getting rid of skin tags is naturally regulating hormone levels and reducing insulin resistance. 

How To Get Rid Of PCOS Skin Tags 

Make lifestyle changes to manage insulin resistance. 

One of the first steps in any PCOS treatment plan should be increasing insulin resistance! Not only will it help with skin tags, but it’ll help relieve several other PCOS symptoms and even improve other root issues like hormonal imbalance and inflammation. Here are some of the main ways you can take control of your insulin resistance and metabolic health to ditch skin tags and other PCOS symptoms: 

Eat an intentional and balanced diet: 

The best way to reduce insulin resistance is by eating a more balanced diet! Find your carb tolerance range, lower foods that have excess sugar, increase fiber and protein in your plates, stay hydrated, and even try substituting foods or ingredients with gluten and dairy with alternatives. On the blog, you can learn more about my recommended PCOS-friendly diet as a PCOS Registered Dietitian (and fellow Cyster) but you can also download The Cysterhood app that’s full of delicious and PCOS-friendly recipes and meal plans to help you reach your goals! 

Exercise regularly: 

Exercise plays a key role in improving insulin sensitivity, which is crucial for managing PCOS symptoms like skin tags, weight gain, and inflammation. But not all workouts are created equal—especially when it comes to hormone balance.

Slow-weighted workouts are one of the best ways to support insulin resistance and hormonal dysregulation without spiking cortisol levels. Strength training at a controlled pace helps your body use glucose more efficiently, reduces excess insulin in the bloodstream, and prevents it from being stored as fat. The key is progressive overload with proper rest periods—lifting weights with intention while allowing your body to recover. This keeps stress hormones in check while building strength and improving metabolism.

If you’re looking for guided, PCOS-friendly workout routines, you can find plenty inside The Cysterhood app!

Reduce stress: 

Stress isn’t just a feeling—it has a direct impact on your hormones and metabolism. When your body is under stress, it produces more cortisol (your stress hormone), which can throw everything out of balance. High cortisol levels put your body in “survival mode”, slowing metabolism, increasing insulin resistance, and making it harder to manage PCOS symptoms—including skin tags.

Managing stress isn’t about eliminating it completely (because, let’s be real, life happens!). It’s about helping your body handle it better. Try incorporating stress-reducing habits like slow-weight workouts, daily walks in nature, deep breathing, prioritizing sleep, or engaging in hobbies that bring you joy. Small, consistent changes can make a huge difference in balancing hormones and improving your skin health!

Take the right supplements:

Targeting insulin resistance with the right supplements can make a huge difference in managing PCOS symptoms—including skin tags. The Metabolism Plus bundle from Ovafit is designed to fill common nutrient gaps in PCOS and support better insulin sensitivity. It contains key nutrients like:

• Chromium, magnesium, & zinc – Help improve insulin function and blood sugar regulation
• Vitamin D3 & vitamin E – Support hormone balance and inflammation reduction
• B vitamins (thiamin, riboflavin, folate) – Essential for metabolic health and energy production
• Omega-3s – Reduce inflammation and promote overall hormonal balance

Additionally, probiotics and Ovasitol (a combination of myo & d-chiro inositol) have been shown to support insulin resistance and hormone regulation, making them great additions to your PCOS supplement routine.

When combined with a balanced diet, movement, and stress management, supplements can play a key role in improving metabolic health and reducing PCOS symptoms—including skin tags!

Naturally regulate your high androgen levels. 

The next step to getting rid of skin tags and relieving PCOS symptoms is by regulating your androgen levels. Like with insulin resistance, there’s a lot you can do yourself to regulate hormone levels without medical intervention! Here are some things you can do:

Do slow-weighted workouts:

As mentioned earlier, the right exercise for our PCOS bodies can of course help with insulin resistance, but it also has incredible hormone-regulating effects. Doing low-intensity workouts with weights allows you to workout your whole body, without raising your heart rate. As your heart rate increases, so will your adrenaline and cortisol levels. 

Those high-stress hormone levels increase insulin resistance and throw off all your other hormone levels, including testosterone. So, exercise regularly, but stick to things like slow-weighted workouts from The Cysterhood app or try pilates, walking, or yoga! 

Support your metabolism: 

Struggling with PCOS weight loss? You’re not alone—but here’s the good news: when you target the root causes of PCOS, weight loss becomes easier, and hormone balance follows. High insulin levels and chronic inflammation can lead to excess androgen production, which may contribute to symptoms like skin tags, acne, and hair loss. But by improving insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammation, and supporting metabolic health, you can help your body find its natural balance.

Focusing on nourishing, high-protein meals, slow weighted workouts, and stress management can all help regulate insulin and reduce androgen levels—which not only improves symptoms like skin tags but can also help with sustainable weight loss. Instead of fixating on the scale, shift your focus to building habits that make you feel stronger, more energized, and in control of your health. With time, consistency, and the right approach, real change is possible!

Take the right supplements:

There are quite a few supplements that can help lower testosterone levels in women with PCOS, many of which we have already discussed earlier for insulin resistance! Ovasitol is the best one for addressing hormonal dysregulation, but you’ll also find that vitamin D3, omega-3, and zinc from our Metabolism Plus bundle can help regulate hormones and improve skin health, too. 

Drink herbal tea: 

There are lots of herbal teas out there that have been found to help with hormone balance particularly androgen levels. Instead of trying to fit half a dozen different hormone-balancing teas into your daily routine, try Testosterone Relief Tea! It’s a blend of herbal teas, including spearmint, lemon balm, orange peel, chamomile, rosehip, peppermint, cinnamon, nettle lavender, and calendula, specially formulated to help lower androgen levels! I love to prep a large batch early in the week and leave it cold in my fridge so I can grab it to-go every morning.

Try safe home remedies:

There are a few home remedies that Cysters have tried to get rid of skin tags, with mixed results. Here are a few things you can try:

• Tea Tree Oil: Try diluting tea tree oil in a carrier oil and applying it to your skin tag with a cotton swab and bandage overnight. After a few nights, the skin tags should dry out and fall off. 
• Banana Peel or Crushed Garlic: You can try the same thing but with a slice of banana peel or a crushed clove of garlic under a bandage for a few nights. It’s also meant to dry out the skin tag. 
• Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV): Apply diluted vinegar to your skin tag and let it sit for 15-30 minutes before washing it off. Repeat daily for a couple of weeks to see if it breaks down the skin tag tissue. 
• Vitamin E: Massage vitamin E oil onto the skin tag daily until the appearance reduces over time. 

Consider medical intervention:

A lot of the natural methods of reducing skin tags I’ve explained can prevent new skin tags from forming, but they may not take care of skin tags you already have. Luckily, there are a number of treatment options you can discuss with your doctor that aren’t invasive, difficult, or painful. 

• Cryotherapy: Dermatologists can freeze the skin tag with liquid nitrogen and it falls off within a few days or weeks. 
• Cauterization: A small cauterization tool can be used to burn a skin tag off quickly. 
• Surgical Removal: Dermatologists can use a scalpel or scissors to cut the skin tags off. 
• Ligation: This is when a string is tied around the base of the skin tag and the loss of blood supply eventually causes the skin tag to fall off. 

You can relieve skin tags and other PCOS skin issues naturally!

Skin tags, skin darkening, and acne may not be the most challenging symptoms of PCOS, but these cosmetic struggles can lower our self-esteem and overall sense of self. We hope that with this article, you feel more hope for your health and confidence in what next steps you’d like to take for your PCOS journey.

Start managing all your PCOS symptoms naturally using these tips and other lifestyle changes you’ll find on the PCOS Weight Loss blog and the A Cyster and Her Mister podcast! It’s time to take charge and reverse ALL your PCOS symptoms, including skin tags!

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that can impact a woman’s reproductive system in a big way. Women with PCOS often deal with infertility, irregular menstrual cycles, polycystic ovaries, and sex hormone imbalances that contribute to a lot of chronic common symptoms. 

Since PCOS symptoms can often be rooted to sex hormone levels, often Cysters get put on hormonal birth control pills to “manage” their PCOS challenges. However, hormonal contraceptives doesn’t get to the core of the problem, and symptoms usually return when you get off the pill. In many cases, hormonal birth control pills even worsen PCOS symptoms long-term! (There is even some question if birth control pills can cause PCOS.)

So, if you talk to a doctor and decide hormonal birth control pills aren’t right for you, what do you do if you need contraception? Natural family planning and condoms don’t work for everyone, especially since the effectiveness of those methods aren’t as fool proof as the pill. In recent years, IUDs have become a popular alternative to the pill, but is it right for PCOS? That’s what we’re going to get into today! 

What You Need to Know About the IUD and PCOS

There are lots of reasons people avoid hormonal birth control pills, but one of the biggest concerns is the pill’s long list of side effects. And, many of these side effects correlate directly to PCOS symptoms, meaning hormonal birth control could make your PCOS challenges even harder. Hormonal birth control can cause high blood pressure, nausea, weight gain, hair loss, acne, mood swings, blood clots, and sexual dysfunction. 

As the pill has been decreasing in popularity, more and more women are choosing IUDs! This has prompted lots of Cysters to look at alternative birth control forms too in order to understand if IUDs would be helpful or hurtful for their polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). It’s really smart to look into these alternative contraception methods, because they can be much better for your unique body! 

What is an IUD?

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are small T-shaped devices that are inserted into the uterus as birth control. It’s a long-lasting birth control that can be reversed when needed. Usually, these IUDs can stay inserted and prevent pregnancy for up to 10 years. Women do report pelvic pain upon insertion, so make sure you talk to your doctor about pain management before booking your placement. Once inserted, the IUD is 99% effective.

Does IUD Help with PCOS?

If heavy, painful, and irregular periods are a real struggle for you, the IUD could help get your periods on a regular schedule, reduce cramping and PMS symptoms, and lighten your period flow. In some cases, an IUD may even stop your periods altogether. If you do choose to have an IUD or go on birth control, I always recommend making diet and lifestyle changes in the meantime. That way, when you decide to get off of birth control, your PCOS symptoms don’t come back with a vengeance.

Hormonal birth control pills have both estrogen and progestin, and for estrogen-dominant Cysters this can be problematic for your symptoms, and raise your blood pressure and blood sugar. If you’re struggling with weight gain, cravings, fatigue, and other symptoms of insulin resistance, increasing your blood pressure and sugar is a bad idea. Not only can this impact how you feel and look, but sustained high blood pressure and blood sugar can actually increase your risk of type 2 diabetes, a common long-term complication of untreated PCOS. 

There are non-hormonal IUD options and the ones that are hormonal use only progestin—no estrogen. This prevents pregnancy, regulates periods, doesn’t increase blood pressure, and relieves some PCOS symptoms like hair loss, troubles losing weight, and insulin sensitivity. If you do decide to go on a contraceptive, IUDs could be a better choice than birth control! 

It is important to note that women with PCOS may be at a higher risk of certain complications like, endometrial hyperplasia and irregular bleeding. So, just keep a close eye on your periods and report any unusual symptoms to your doctor.

Learn more about the best types of birth control with PCOS here!

Does the IUD Treat PCOS?

No birth control (or prescription of any kind) gets to the root of your PCOS symptoms. When you get off the contraceptive, you’ll likely experience all those issues again. That’s why it’s best to work towards reversing PCOS by changing your diet, exercise routine, sleeping habits, supplement intake, and more. Download The Cysterhood app for all the best resources to take control of your PCOS and live symptom-free!

Best IUD for PCOS 

Hormonal IUDs

There are progestin-only hormonal IUDs like Mirena, Kyleene, Liletta, or Skyla. They last anywhere from 3-8 years and work by thinning the uterine lining and thickening cervical mucus to make it nearly impossible for conception to happen. For some people, hormonal IUDs even stops ovulation all together. It’s a contraceptive and it can help temporarily relieve some symptoms of PCOS like irregular periods, heavy flow, cramping, PMS, hair loss, weight gain, and insulin resistance. 

What about the Copper IUD?

There are two types of IUDs. The first one I’ll talk about is the copper IUD from Paragard. This is a non-hormonal option that can remain effective for up to 12 years! The copper in the IUD prevents pregnancy in two ways. First, it creates an inflammatory reaction in the uterine cavity that’s actually toxic to sperm and eggs. Second, the copper ions change the composition of the fluid in the fallopian tubes and uterus, preventing the sperm from swimming to the egg. 

These are often less favorable options for people with PCOS, because without the hormonal component, Cysters may not see change in their symptoms. Plus, it doesn’t have the period-regulation of hormonal IUDs. In fact, copper IUDs can worsen cramps, regularity, and flow. So, I’d steer clear of the copper IUD. Consult your doctor to see what the best choice is for you.

What Other Contraceptive Options Are There for PCOS?

If you’re unsure if an IUD is right for you, remember you have a few other options for contraceptives that don’t negatively impact your hormone balance. Consider one of these other options in your search:

• Male Condoms
• Female Condoms
• Natural Family Planning (Here’s how you can track ovulation with PCOS.)

IUDs can be a great choice for PCOS contraception! 

If you’re a Cyster in need of birth control, an IUD could be a good choice. Of course, talk to your doctor about your specific medical history to make the right decision for you. Just remember hormonal birth control is a temporary bandaid for our symptoms and it isn’t a cure for PCOS, but you can reverse your PCOS and heal your symptoms naturally! You can fix all your symptoms too, not just difficult periods, but everything from acne and excessive hair growth to mood swings and fatigue. Get all the details on the blog, on the app, and on the podcast!