Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a hormone imbalance that causes unpredictable or blocked ovulation, missed periods, abnormal hair growth, acne, infertility, and obesity, affects around 15% of females. It’s associated with insulin resistance, excess androgen (male) hormones, and chronic inflammation.

PCOS can be difficult to diagnose and many women don’t discover they have it until they struggle to become pregnant or can’t figure out why they’re gaining so much weight.

Between 40% and 80% of people with PCOS also have obesity, which makes PCOS hard to treat and leads to many other health complications.

According to a recent series in the journal Clinical Adviser, it’s the combination of obesity and hormonal imbalances that makes PCOS a serious risk factor for sleep apnea, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, elevated bad LDL cholesterol, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, immune system dysfunction, stress, depression, and anxiety.

If you suspect you have PCOS, see a doctor. Treating the condition early with the newest weight-loss medications, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, seems to be very successful.

In addition, lifestyle adjustments are essential. A meta-study in the journal Reproductive Health revealed the DASH diet was the most effective option for reducing insulin resistance and lowering fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and triglyceride levels in women with PCOS.

In addition, taking probiotic supplements along with vitamin D and L-carnitine improved hormone levels and boosted mood.