Understanding PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome, commonly known as PCOS, is the most common hormonal disorder affecting girls and women of reproductive age. Experts estimate that 10 to 20% of women in their fertile years live with PCOS. While some causes are congenital or hereditary, others may be influenced by lifestyle and environmental factors, and the exact mechanisms are still being researched.

PCOS is not one single condition but a heterogeneous disorder: a collection of symptoms, particularly androgen excess (elevated male hormones) and anovulatory cycles, with different underlying causes. It can significantly affect fertility and overall wellbeing.

What PCOS Actually Is (and Is Not)

Despite the name, PCOS is not necessarily about ovarian cysts. The structures seen on ultrasound are actually immature follicles, normal parts of the ovulation process that have not fully developed. As some research notes, you can have polycystic ovaries without having PCOS, and vice versa.

The most accurate definition of PCOS is androgen excess, once all other causes have been ruled out. These androgens, including testosterone, influence your cycles, skin, hair, metabolism, and mood.

Common Symptoms

Most women are diagnosed between the ages of 20 and 40, often after experiencing one or more of the following:

• Irregular or long menstrual cycles (35 or more days)
• Infertility or skipped ovulations
• Acne or oily skin
• Dark skin patches on the neck or underarms
• Excess body or facial hair (hirsutism)
• Hair loss or thinning, particularly at the hairline
• Deepening of the voice or more androgenic physique
• Mood changes or depressive symptoms

The Role of Insulin Resistance

The most common underlying cause of PCOS is insulin resistance. This means the body produces chronically high levels of insulin, which can disrupt hormone balance and impair fat metabolism.

Insulin is a hormone produced by the pancreas that plays a central role in how the body uses and stores energy. Think of it as a key that unlocks cells so they can take in glucose from the bloodstream and use it for fuel. When cells become resistant to insulin, the pancreas compensates by producing more, and those elevated insulin levels can drive androgen production in the ovaries.

Insulin resistance is also a key feature of metabolic syndrome. To assess it accurately, it is best to measure fasting insulin, triglycerides, or ALT levels. Speak with your doctor about these tests, as normal blood glucose levels may not detect early-stage insulin resistance.

PCOS and Perimenopause

It is especially important to stabilise blood sugar during perimenopause, as hormonal shifts can make blood sugar regulation more challenging. During the transitional years leading up to menopause, oestrogen and progesterone begin to fluctuate and eventually decline. These hormones influence not just the menstrual cycle but also how the body responds to insulin and manages blood sugar. For women with PCOS, this transition can amplify existing metabolic challenges.

How Daysy and Lady-Comp Can Help

Daysy and Lady-Comp can be valuable tools for monitoring your cycle, fertility window, and hormonal balance during PCOS management and perimenopause.

Here is how they work:

• Track basal body temperature daily with a precise sensor
• Identify ovulation and fertile days with 99.4% accuracy
• Help you and your gynaecologist visualise cycle trends over time

Many women with PCOS use Daysy to monitor the impact of lifestyle changes or treatment. The device shows whether ovulation has occurred and how long each cycle was in total, information that is useful both for personal awareness and for clinical conversations.

In cycles without ovulation, you will see more red and yellow days, indicating fertile or uncertain status. In cycles where ovulation does occur, Daysy switches to green after ovulation is confirmed. Over time, this gives you a clear picture of whether your hormonal health is improving.

In short, with PCOS, Daysy or Lady-Comp:

• Confirms whether ovulation has occurred, which is the key sign that hormonal health is improving
• Shows more yellow (uncertain) days during irregular cycles, reflecting the anovulatory pattern typical of PCOS

A note from Period Wisdom Boutique

PCOS is one of the most common hormonal conditions affecting women, yet it is still widely misunderstood and frequently dismissed. Understanding what is actually happening in your body, and having tools to track your progress, puts you in a much stronger position. That is exactly what we are here to support.