Nutrition and Supplementation in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Oliwia Kaczmarek
2026-03-17
7 min. read
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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is currently one of the most common endocrine disorders in women of childbearing age. PCOS is usually accompanied by insulin resistance, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism disorders, which suggests that appropriate dietary therapy may be necessary. Answers to these questions can be found in the following article: Is it worth paying attention to supplementation as well? Which diets are a good choice?
PCOS: Diagnostic Criteria and Symptoms
To confirm PCOS, two of the three diagnostic criteria must be met: hyperandrogenism (excess androgens), confirmed by laboratory tests or clinical symptoms such as acne, alopecia, and excessive hair growth; the presence of polycystic ovaries (PCO), characterized by more than 12 maturing follicles in the follicular phase; and infrequent or absent ovulation. It is important to note that a PCOS diagnosis is not possible if menstrual disorders and typical ultrasound findings are present, but there are no signs of excessive androgen production (P. Kłósek, S. Grosicki, B. Całyniuk 2017). Diagnosing PCOS is challenging due to the variability of symptoms, which depends on the severity of hormonal imbalances. A potential early indicator is difficulty conceiving, particularly if attempts to become pregnant exceed six months. Common symptoms that significantly reduce the quality of life for affected individuals include those related to hyperandrogenism, such as hirsutism (male-pattern hair growth), which affects approximately 80% of women with PCOS. In addition to hormonal disturbances, metabolic disorders are also considered in the clinical picture of PCOS, with insulin resistance being particularly significant, as it can occur even in women with a normal body weight (M. Kostecka 2018).
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