Features / 22 October, 2025 / My Baba
This week on the blog, we’re tackling a topic that affects up to one in ten women — Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). From irregular cycles to fertility challenges, PCOS can feel confusing and isolating, but it’s also highly manageable with the right care and understanding.
Dr Jyoti, Fertility Specialist at Avenues, gives us the lowdown on everything you need to know — from recognising the early signs and understanding your hormones to exploring treatment options and protecting your future fertility.
If you’ve ever wondered, “Do I have PCOS?” or you’re looking for ways to bring your body back into balance, this expert guide is here to help.
What Is PCOS? (Symptoms & When to Test)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women of reproductive age. It can appear in many forms: irregular or absent periods, acne, unwanted facial or body hair, thinning hair on the scalp, and difficulties managing weight. Some women also experience mood swings, fatigue, or trouble sleeping. These symptoms can vary from mild to significant, which is why PCOS often goes undiagnosed for years.
At its core, PCOS disrupts ovulation. The ovaries may develop many small follicles that do not mature or release an egg, leading to irregular cycles and challenges in conceiving. But beyond the physical, PCOS carries a quiet emotional weight. Many women describe feeling as though their bodies are unpredictable or even betraying them. I often tell my patients, “Your body isn’t broken, it’s just asking to be understood.” That understanding is where healing begins.
Treatment Options: Lifestyle, Medication & Fertility Support
The good news is that PCOS is highly manageable. Once identified, we can restore balance and improve fertility outcomes through a combination of clinical care and lifestyle support.
For many, small steps can have a big impact. Gentle, consistent exercise and attention to nutrition, especially lowering processed carbohydrates and focusing on whole foods, can rebalance insulin levels, which are often elevated in PCOS.
Clinically, we can use medications such as letrozole or clomiphene to induce ovulation safely and effectively. In some cases, metformin or GLP-1 agonists can help improve insulin resistance and support hormonal restoration. When conception still doesn’t occur, assisted reproductive treatments like ovulation induction with timed natural trying or IUI, and in some cases IVF, are often very successful for women with PCOS, particularly when combined with AI-guided embryo and sperm selection that allows personalised care at every step.
Our aim at Avenues is always to find the most natural, least invasive route to pregnancy before moving to more advanced treatments while ensuring every woman feels supported and understood throughout her journey.
Future Proofing Your Fertility
PCOS does not have to define a woman’s reproductive future. The key is awareness and early action. Irregular cycles, excessive hair growth, persistent acne, or unexpected weight changes are all reasons to speak with a doctor and have your hormones assessed. A simple blood test and ultrasound can reveal much about how the ovaries are functioning.
For women who aren’t ready to conceive yet, there are still meaningful ways to protect future fertility. Egg freezing, for example, allows women to preserve eggs at their healthiest age, creating options and peace of mind for later on. Managing PCOS early also reduces the long-term risk of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic diseases and complications.
At Avenues, we focus on empowering women with clarity, compassion, and choice. PCOS can feel overwhelming at first, but with the right guidance, balance can be restored. Hope is not just possible, it’s expected when care is personal, science is advanced, and support is ongoing.
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