Other PCOS FAQs

Basic information for topics, such as "What is it?" and "How many people are affected?" is available in the About PCOS section. Other frequently asked questions (FAQs) that are specific to a certain topic are answered in this section.

PCOS increases the risk of some types of cancer. For instance, research has shown that risk of cancer of the endometrium, the inside lining of the uterus, may be higher for people with PCOS than for people without PCOS.1 Irregular periods, or a lack of periods, can cause the endometrium to build up and thicken, which can lead to endometrial cancer.2,3,4

Data on links between breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and PCOS are limited. Some small studies have suggested that a lack of ovulation, as occurs in PCOS, is linked with an increased risk of breast cancer, but other studies have not shown an association.1 Despite some research suggesting risk for ovarian cancer is more than double in people with PCOS compared to those without PCOS,5 scientists have not confirmed these links in large population studies. Further studies hint that women with PCOS may have a lower risk of ovarian cancer.1,2,6 A meta-analysis found that the risk of ovarian and breast cancer was not significantly increased for people with PCOS overall, although the risk may vary by age.7 Therefore, any associations between breast or ovarian cancers and PCOS remain inconclusive.

Even though PCOS is a leading cause of infertility, PCOS-related infertility is treatable in most cases. Women with PCOS can and do still get pregnant—sometimes naturally, sometimes with help.

Visit the Treatments for Infertility Related to PCOS section for more information about treatments that help women with PCOS get pregnant.

Women with PCOS are at higher risk for certain problems or complications during pregnancy.1 In addition, infants born to mothers with PCOS are at higher risk of spending time in the neonatal intensive care unit or dying before, during, or right after birth. Complications of pregnancy commonly associated with PCOS could be a reason for these risks. Also, conditions common to PCOS like metabolic syndrome and increased androgens may increase the risks to infants.1,8

Pregnancy complications related to PCOS include:

  • Miscarriage or early loss of pregnancy. Women with PCOS are three times as likely to miscarry in the early months of pregnancy as are women without PCOS.8,9 Some research shows that metformin may reduce the risk of miscarriage in pregnant women with PCOS.10 However, other studies have not confirmed that metformin reduces miscarriage risk, so more research needs to be done.8,11,12
  • Gestational diabetes
  • Preeclampsia
  • Pregnancy-induced high blood pressure. This increase in blood pressure may occur in the second half of pregnancy and, if not treated, it can lead to preeclampsia. This type of high blood pressure can also affect delivery of the baby.
  • Preterm birth
  • Cesarean or C-section delivery. Pregnant women with PCOS are more likely to have C-sections because of the pregnancy complications associated with PCOS, such as pregnancy-induced high blood pressure.11,13

Researchers are studying whether treatments for symptoms of PCOS, such as insulin-sensitizing drugs like metformin, can prevent or reduce the risk of pregnancy problems in women with PCOS.9,14,15

If you have PCOS and get pregnant, work with your health care provider to promote a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

Citations

  1. Daniilidis, A., & Dinas, K. (2009). Long-term health consequences of polycystic ovarian syndrome: A review analysis. Hippokratia, 13(2), 90–92. PMID: 19561777
  2. Ehrmann, D. A. (2005). Polycystic ovary syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine, 352(12), 1223–1236. PMID: 15788499
  3. American Society for Reproductive Medicine. (2014; revised 2023). Patient fact sheet: Polycystic ovary syndrome. Retrieved July 26, 2024, from https://www.reproductivefacts.org/news-and-publications/fact-sheets-and-infographics/polycystic-ovary-syndrome-pcos/ external link
  4. Nandi, A., Chen, Z., Patel, R., & Poretsky, L. (2014). Polycystic ovary syndrome. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America, 43(1), 123–147. PMID: 24582095
  5. Schildkraut, J. M., Schwingl, P. J., Bastos, E., Evanoff, A., & Hughes, C. (1996). Epithelial ovarian cancer risk among women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 88(4 Pt 1), 554–559. PMID: 8841217
  6. Barry, J. A., Kuczmierczyk, A. R., & Hardiman, P. J. (2011). Anxiety and depression in polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Human Reproduction, 26(9), 2442–2451.
  7. Barry, J. A., Azizia, M. M., & Hardiman, P. J. (2014). Risk of endometrial, ovarian, and breast cancer in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Human Reproduction Update, 20(5), 748–758. PMID: 24688118
  8. Boomsma, C. M., Fauser, B. C., & Macklon, N. S. (2008). Pregnancy complications in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Seminars in Reproductive Medicine, 26(1), 72−84. PMID: 18181085
  9. Jakubowicz, D. J., Iuorno, M. J., Jakubowicz, S., Roberts, K. A., & Nestler, J. E. (2002). Effects of metformin on early pregnancy loss in the polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 87(2), 524–529. PMID: 11836280
  10. Løvvik, T. S., Carlsen, S. M., Salvesen, Ø., Steffensen, B., Bixo, M., Gómez-Real, F., Lønnebotn, M., Hestvold, K. V., Zabielska, R., Hirschberg, A. L., Trouva, A., Thorarinsdottir, S., Hjelle, S., Berg, A. H., Andræ, F., Poromaa, I. S., Mohlin, J., Underdal, M., & Vanky, E. (2019). Use of metformin to treat pregnant women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PregMet2): A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The Lancet: Diabetes & Endocrinology, 7(4), 256–266. PMID: 30792154
  11. Morin-Papunen, L., Rantala, A. S., Unkila-Kallio, L., Tiitinen, A., Hippeläinen, M., Perheentupa, A., et al. (2012). Metformin improves pregnancy and live-birth rates in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS): A multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 97(5), 1492–1500. PMID: 22419702
  12. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. (2014). Preeclampsia and high blood pressure during pregnancy. Retrieved July 26, 2024, from https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/preeclampsia-and-high-blood-pressure-during-pregnancy external link
  13. Schildkraut, J. M., Schwingl, P. J., Bastos, E., Evanoff, A., & Hughes, C. (1996). Epithelial ovarian cancer risk among women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Obstetrics and Gynecology, 88(4 Pt 1), 554–559. PMID: 8841217
  14. Begum, M. R., Khanam, N. N., Quadir, E., Ferdous, J., Begum, M. S., Khan, F., et al. (2009). Prevention of gestational diabetes mellitus by continuing metformin therapy throughout pregnancy in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 35(2), 282–286. PMID: 19708174
  15. Vanky, E., Stridsklev, S., Heimstad, R., Romundstad, P., Skogøy, K., Kleggetveit, O., et al. (2010). Metformin versus placebo from first trimester to delivery in polycystic ovary syndrome: A randomized, controlled multicenter study. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 95(12), E448–E455. PMID: 20926533
top of page BACK TO TOP