What Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Means for Your Body
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition that occurs in women during their childbearing years. It is estimated that around 10% of women experience PCOS in Singapore. The condition can cause irregular or missed periods, excessive facial or body hair, acne, hair thinning, and challenges with weight management. These symptoms often affect daily life, self-confidence, and long-term health.
Despite the term “polycystic ovary,” not every woman with PCOS develops ovarian cysts, and not all women with ovarian cysts have PCOS. The diagnosis focuses on a combination of hormonal and physical features rather than ovarian appearance alone. A personalised assessment at a dedicated clinic can provide clarity and support effective PCOS management.
What Causes Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?
PCOS is closely linked to insulin resistance, where the body produces higher amounts of insulin to manage blood sugar. Excess insulin can stimulate the ovaries to produce higher levels of male hormones (androgens) and contribute to the formation of multiple ovarian cysts. Genetics play a role, and being overweight can further exacerbate hormonal imbalances.
Early evaluation at a specialist clinic, coupled with lifestyle changes, can significantly reduce symptoms and long-term risks, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease. Our team focuses on holistic treatment for PCOS that combines medical care, lifestyle guidance, and emotional support.
Recognising Symptoms and Risk Factors
PCOS often develops during late adolescence or early adulthood, but can also appear later with significant weight changes. Family history increases the likelihood of developing the condition, with studies showing a genetic connection across both female and male relatives, particularly in relation to metabolic and cardiovascular conditions.
Common signs include:
- Irregular or absent periods
- Difficulty conceiving due to irregular ovulation
- Excess facial or body hair (hirsutism)
- Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
- Hair thinning or scalp hair loss
- Oily skin or acne
If you experience these symptoms, consulting a PCOS specialist can help determine the best approach to PCOS management.
How Is PCOS Diagnosed?
A precise PCOS diagnosis involves a combination of physical examination, medical history, and tests to assess ovarian and hormonal function. Key features include:
- Irregular periods or disrupted ovulation
- Elevated androgen levels, causing hair growth or acne
- Polycystic ovaries visible on ultrasound
A doctor may confirm a PCOS diagnosis if at least two of these features are present, while also ruling out other conditions with similar symptoms.
Common Tests
- Ultrasound: Evaluates ovarian size, cyst presence, and uterine lining thickness.
- Blood tests: Check androgen levels, other hormones, glucose, and cholesterol.
Our clinic in Singapore ensures every patient receives thorough testing to guide a tailored treatment for PCOS.
Potential Complications of PCOS
Women with PCOS face higher risks of:
- Infertility or difficulty conceiving
- Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-related high blood pressure
- Miscarriage or premature birth
- Metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and pre-diabetes
- Liver inflammation (non-alcoholic steatohepatitis)
- Sleep apnea
- Mood disorders, including anxiety and depression
- Abnormal uterine bleeding and endometrial cancer
Early assessment and ongoing PCOS management by a PCOS specialist help reduce these risks and support long-term health.
Our Service Process
At LW Cho Endocrine Clinic, our approach to polycystic ovary syndrome in Singapore focuses on personalised care and actionable results.
1. Comprehensive Assessment
We evaluate symptoms, perform blood tests, and use ultrasound imaging to understand your hormonal and reproductive health.
2. Tailored treatment plan
Based on your diagnosis, our doctor develops a treatment plan, which may include medication, lifestyle strategies, and fertility support if needed.
3. Ongoing support and monitoring
Regular follow-ups help adjust treatment, track improvements, and prevent long-term complications.
Why Choose Us
Expertise and Experience
Our team has extensive experience managing PCOS in Singapore for women at every stage of reproductive health.
Patient-Centred Care
We focus on personalised PCOS management and practical solutions tailored to your life, not just your lab results.
Holistic Support
From diagnosis to treatment, our clinic combines medical care with lifestyle guidance and emotional support to ensure comprehensive care.
When to See a PCOS Specialist
Consult a PCOS specialist if you notice irregular or missed periods, excessive hair growth, acne, or unexplained weight gain. Early intervention is key for effective PCOS management and minimising future health risks.
Our LW Cho Endocrine Clinic locations at Parkway East Medical Centre and Gleneagles Medical Centre offer convenient access to expert care and personalised treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome in Singapore.
Your hormonal health should never limit your life. At LW Cho Endocrine Clinic, our specialised team helps you manage PCOS confidently, supporting both your physical and emotional well-being.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome FAQ
At LW Cho Endocrine Clinic, we follow the internationally recognised Rotterdam Criteria to ensure an accurate diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome in Singapore. To be diagnosed with this condition, a woman generally needs to meet at least two of the following three criteria:
- Irregular or absent menstrual periods.
- Clinical or biochemical signs of high androgen (male hormone) levels, such as excess body hair or acne.
- Presence of multiple small follicles on the ovaries as seen via ultrasound.
It is important to understand that “polycystic” is a bit of a misnomer; these are not actual cysts but rather underdeveloped follicles containing eggs that haven’t been released. Dr. Cho takes a comprehensive approach, looking beyond just a single symptom to see the whole hormonal picture. Because other conditions like thyroid issues or high prolactin can mimic these symptoms, we perform a detailed evaluation to rule out other causes before confirming a diagnosis.
PCOS is a diagnosis by exclusion. Therefore, other endocrine conditions that can present similarly such as Cushing’s Syndrome, hyperprolactinemia and androgen secreting adrenal tumours need to be excluded before the diagnosis of PCOS is made.
The choice often depends on your primary concern, but since this is fundamentally a hormonal and metabolic disorder, seeing an Endocrinologist is highly beneficial. While a Gynaecologist focuses specifically on the reproductive organs and can help with period regulation or surgery, an Endocrinologist like Dr. Cho specialises in the entire endocrine system.
At LW Cho Endocrine Clinic, we focus on the “why” behind your symptoms, addressing the hormonal imbalances, insulin resistance, and metabolic issues that cause the irregular periods and skin changes in the first place. Many patients find that a collaborative approach works best, but starting with an Endocrinologist ensures that the underlying hormonal drivers of the condition are managed, which often improves reproductive health as a natural byproduct.
This is a very common concern, and the short answer is no. The “cysts” associated with this condition are actually tiny, benign, fluid-filled sacs called follicles, which contain immature eggs. In a healthy cycle, one of these follicles would grow and release an egg (ovulation), but in women with hormonal imbalances, these follicles stop growing too early and remain in the ovary.
These follicles do not turn into ovarian cancer. However, because the condition can lead to infrequent periods, the lining of the womb (endometrium) can become too thick overtime, and potentially can turn cancerous. This is why we focus on ensuring you have regular cycles or use medication to protect the uterine lining, rather than worrying about the follicles themselves being tumours.
While there is currently no permanent cure that makes the condition disappear forever, effective PCOS management allows most women to live a life completely free of bothersome symptoms. At LW Cho Endocrine Clinic, we view it as a manageable metabolic tendency rather than a disease.
Through a combination of lifestyle adjustments, such as a low-glycemic index diet and regular physical activity, and medical treatments like insulin sensitizers or hormonal regulators, we can balance your hormones. Many of our patients find that once they achieve a healthy weight and stabilise their insulin levels, their periods become regular and their skin clears up, essentially putting the condition into remission.
Yes, many women with this condition conceive naturally. The primary challenge is that irregular ovulation makes it difficult to time intercourse correctly. If you are only ovulating a few times a year, your window of opportunity is much smaller than someone with a 28-day cycle.
At LW Cho Endocrine Clinic, we help optimise your natural fertility by addressing insulin resistance, which often restores regular ovulation on its own. By tracking your cycles and using metabolic support, many women find they are able to conceive without needing invasive fertility treatments. We focus on getting your body into its healthiest hormonal state to give you the best possible chance of a natural conception.
For those who need a little extra help to ovulate, several effective options are available for treating PCOS in Singapore. Letrozole has increasingly become the preferred first-line treatment as it often results in higher live birth rates and fewer side effects compared to older medications like Clomiphene (Clomid).
Additionally, Dr. Cho often prescribes Metformin, which is an insulin-sensitizing medication. While primarily used for diabetes, it is highly effective for women with hormonal imbalances because it lowers insulin levels, which in turn lowers testosterone and helps the ovaries function more normally. These medications are often used in monitored cycles to ensure they are working effectively and safely.
Preparation is key to a smooth pregnancy. We recommend a pre-conception phase focused on three pillars:
- Weight Optimisation: Even a modest 5-10% reduction in body weight can significantly improve hormonal balance and ovulation.
- Nutritional Support: Switching to a high-fibre, low-sugar diet helps stabilise insulin. We also recommend starting a high-quality folic acid supplement or prenatal vitamin at least three months before trying to conceive.
- Activity: Regular exercise improves insulin sensitivity, which is vital for egg quality. By stabilising your metabolic health before you get pregnant, you reduce the risk of complications later on and create a healthier environment for your baby to grow.
It is important to be aware that this condition does carry an increased risk of certain pregnancy-related complications. These include gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy), and a slightly higher risk of early pregnancy loss.
However, these risks can be significantly mitigated through proactive care. At LW Cho Endocrine Clinic, we work closely with our patients to manage their blood sugar and hormonal levels before and during the early stages of pregnancy. With close monitoring and a healthy lifestyle, the vast majority of women go on to have successful, healthy pregnancies and healthy babies.
Beyond the immediate symptoms of irregular periods and acne, the hormonal imbalances associated with this condition have long-term implications for your general health. The most significant risk is Type 2 Diabetes, due to chronic insulin resistance. Patients are also at a higher risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea.
Another important factor is endometrial health; if you have fewer than four periods a year, the lining of the womb can thicken, increasing the risk of endometrial hyperplasia or cancer later in life. This is why Dr. Cho emphasises long-term monitoring. By keeping your metabolic health in check now, you are protecting yourself against heart disease and diabetes for decades to come.
