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Dr. Chrysoula I. Liakou MD, PhD
- Treated online: Partly. Symptoms can be assessed and treated by video and blood tests arranged; the ultrasound, specialist care and fertility treatment are in person.
- New name: PCOS was renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) in May 2026, because it is a lifelong hormonal and metabolic condition, not only a problem of ovarian cysts.
- How common: about 10 to 13% of women of reproductive age have it, and up to 70% of them do not know.
- Diagnosis: at least 2 of 3: irregular or absent periods, signs of high male hormones, and polycystic ovaries on a scan, once other causes are ruled out.
- Emergency: call 112 for heavy vaginal bleeding with feeling faint, severe pain low in the tummy with a high temperature, or collapse.
Do not book a video appointment if you have heavy vaginal bleeding with feeling faint, severe pain low in your tummy with a high temperature, or you collapse: call 112 or go to an emergency department. If you could be pregnant and have pain or bleeding, get in-person care promptly.
Can an online doctor treat PCOS?
Partly. A doctor can assess the symptoms of PCOS by video, arrange the blood tests that help confirm it, and treat what bothers you most: irregular periods, excess hair, acne, weight and low mood, with a prescription when it suits you. The ultrasound scan, specialist care when the picture is unclear, and fertility treatment are in person, and the doctor tells you where to go.
How an online consultation helps with PCOS
- Is it PCOS?: Which of your symptoms fit, what else could cause them, and which tests you need.
- Tests arranged and explained: Blood tests for hormone levels and insulin resistance, and an ultrasound when it is needed.
- Treatment for what bothers you: Periods, excess hair, acne, weight and mood, each with its own options.
- Long-term health: Checks for diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol, and how to lower the risks.
What the doctor checks in an online PCOS consultation
The doctor asks about anything that needs care quickly first, then about your symptoms and plans. The doctor asks about:
- Warning signs: heavy bleeding, pain low in the tummy, or a chance of pregnancy.
- Your periods: how often they come, how long they last, and when they last came.
- Hair and skin: excess hair on the face or body, hair thinning on the head, acne, oily skin, or dark, thick patches on the neck or armpits.
- Weight, energy and mood: weight gain, tiredness, low mood or anxiety, and your eating and activity.
- Family and background: a close relative with PCOS or type 2 diabetes, and your ethnic background.
- Your plans: whether you want a pregnancy now or later, your contraception, and the medicines you take.
Before the call, note the dates of your last few periods. The doctor tells you which blood tests to have and when, and reviews them with you.
What is PCOS, and why is it now called PMOS?
PCOS, polycystic ovary syndrome, is a hormone condition that can affect periods, hair growth, skin, weight, fertility and mood. On 12 May 2026, after a global consensus published in The Lancet, it was renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). The old name suggested a problem with cysts, but not everyone with the condition has polycystic ovaries, and polycystic ovaries alone do not confirm it. The new name reflects a lifelong hormonal and metabolic condition affecting several systems. You will see both names for some time.
It is common: about 10 to 13% of women of reproductive age have it, and up to 70% of them do not know. It is the most common reason women do not ovulate, and a leading cause of infertility. The cause is not known; hormones such as insulin and testosterone not working properly seem to play a part. It is more likely if a close relative has it, and in women from an Asian background.
What are the symptoms of PCOS?
Symptoms usually start around puberty and can continue until the menopause. They can be mild or severe, and some women have none. The main symptoms are:
- irregular, infrequent or absent periods, and for some women heavy or painful periods
- difficulty getting pregnant
- excess hair on the face or body
- thinning hair or hair loss from the head
- oily skin and acne
- weight gain and tiredness
- depression or anxiety
- dark, thick patches of skin on the neck or in the armpits
Do I have PCOS?
Symptoms alone cannot tell you, because each has other causes. PCOS is diagnosed when at least 2 of these 3 are present and other causes have been ruled out:
Swipe sideways to compare →
| Feature | What it means | How it is checked |
|---|---|---|
| Irregular or absent periods | Periods that come rarely, irregularly or not at all | Your period history |
| High male hormones | Excess hair, hair loss from the head, acne or oily skin, or a high testosterone level | What you notice, and a blood test |
| Polycystic ovaries | Ovaries with a polycystic appearance | An ultrasound scan, only for adults over 18 |
So you can have PCOS without polycystic ovaries. Family history and life stage matter too, because irregular periods can be normal in the first years after periods start and around the perimenopause.
How is PCOS treated? Can it be cured?
There is no cure, but treatment and lifestyle changes help the symptoms, support fertility and lower the long-term risks. Healthy eating and regular activity are recommended for everyone with PCOS, even without weight loss. The rest depends on what bothers you most:
Swipe sideways to compare →
| Symptom | Treatment options | Read more |
|---|---|---|
| Irregular periods | The combined pill, the progestogen-only pill or a hormonal coil (IUS) | Combined pill Progestogen-only pill |
| Excess hair | Medicines that reduce hair growth, such as spironolactone or eflornithine; shaving, waxing, electrolysis or laser treatment | – |
| Acne and oily skin | Skin creams or tablets; the combined pill can also help | Acne |
| Hair thinning | Treatment for female pattern hair loss | Female pattern hair loss |
| Weight and tiredness | Healthy eating, activity, metformin, and weight loss medicines when overweight | Medical weight loss |
| Low mood or anxiety | Talking therapy, and treatment when needed | Depression Anxiety |
| Difficulty getting pregnant | Clomifene to help ovulation, laparoscopic ovarian drilling, or IVF | In person |
How to lose weight with PCOS
Losing weight if you are overweight can improve symptoms, and healthy eating and activity help even when the scales do not move. Metformin, a type 2 diabetes medicine, can help with tiredness and weight, and weight loss medicines are an option for some women; the doctor checks what suits you.
Can you get pregnant with PCOS?
Yes, although PCOS is a leading cause of infertility, because ovulation is less regular. Lifestyle changes, medicines that help ovulation, surgery or IVF can help. PCOS raises the risk of diabetes and high blood pressure in pregnancy, so tell your midwife or doctor.
What are the long-term risks of PCOS?
PCOS can raise the risk of other conditions over time, which is why it is worth diagnosing even if your symptoms are mild:
- insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart and circulation disease
- fatty liver disease
- sleep apnoea
- thickening of the womb lining and womb (endometrial) cancer
- anxiety, depression, eating disorders and a negative body image
Regular check-ups can reduce these risks. The doctor can arrange checks of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, and explain how treatment and lifestyle lower them.
Which PCOS treatment might the doctor recommend?
Treatment depends on your symptoms, your plans for pregnancy and your tests. This is the framework the doctors use:
Swipe sideways to compare →
| What you have | Likely first step | Suitable for online care? | When in-person care is needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irregular periods with acne or excess hair, not yet diagnosed | Blood tests to check hormone levels and insulin resistance | Yes | For an ultrasound scan, if needed |
| Diagnosed PCOS with irregular periods, not trying to conceive | A contraceptive pill or a hormonal coil | Yes | For a coil fitting |
| Excess hair or acne | Medicines for hair or skin, alongside hair removal | Yes | If treatment does not help |
| Weight gain and tiredness | Lifestyle support, metformin or weight loss medicines when suitable | Yes | For blood tests |
| Trying for a baby | Advice, and a referral for fertility care | Partly | For fertility treatment |
| No period for 3 months or more | A pregnancy test and blood tests | Yes | If scans or a specialist are needed |
Wondering whether it could be PCOS? A doctor can tell you in one consultation which tests you need.
See available times →Treatment options for PCOS
What you can do yourself
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet and be active regularly; both help even without weight loss.
- Lose weight if you are overweight, with support if you need it.
- Keep a note of your periods and symptoms.
- Use shaving, waxing or hair removal creams for excess hair if you want to.
- Talk to someone about low mood or anxiety, and ask for help early.
Prescription treatment
A prescription is never issued without a consultation. Depending on your symptoms and plans, the doctor may prescribe the combined pill or a progestogen-only pill for irregular periods, a medicine that reduces hair growth, treatment for acne, metformin, or a weight loss medicine when it suits you, and arranges blood tests and a referral for a scan or fertility care when you need them. If the doctor prescribes, use the prescription at a pharmacy near you.
What does not help
Products that promise to cure PCOS, because there is no cure. Ignoring very infrequent periods or a missing period. Waiting for symptoms to settle without a diagnosis, which means the long-term risks go unchecked.
Special situations
Trying for a baby
Tell the doctor if you want to get pregnant soon: hormonal contraception is not the right treatment then, and a fertility referral may come earlier.
Missed periods
PCOS is one of the common causes of missed or late periods, alongside pregnancy, stress, weight change, heavy exercise, contraception and the perimenopause. If you have missed 3 periods in a row, see a doctor; the absent periods page explains the other causes.
Family history and background
PCOS is more likely if a close relative has it, and in women from an Asian background, so mention these in the consultation.
Teenagers
Symptoms usually start around puberty, but irregular periods can be normal in the first years, and a scan is only used over 18. Mobi Doctor consultations are for adults aged 18 and over.
Children
Mobi Doctor consultations are for adults aged 18 and over. A child who is unwell needs a paediatrician or a local doctor in person, and emergency signs in a child mean 112.
When PCOS is treated online, and when you need in-person care
Treated online: assessment of symptoms, blood tests and their results, irregular periods, excess hair, acne, weight and mood, and long-term health checks.
In-person care: the ultrasound scan, coil fitting, specialist care when the diagnosis is unclear, fertility treatment, and any emergency sign.
When to get in-person care
Call 112 or go to an emergency department now for:
- heavy vaginal bleeding with feeling faint or dizzy
- severe pain low in the tummy with a high temperature
- fainting or collapse
Get medical advice the same day for:
- pain low in the tummy with a temperature or unusual discharge
- pain or bleeding when you could be pregnant
Missing 3 periods in a row, periods that have become irregular, or bleeding that is unusual for you need a doctor to check them.
How Mobi Doctor works
- Book a time that suits you: daily 7am–11pm CEST. You can see a doctor over video, usually within 15 minutes. No subscription, and the exact price is shown before you pay.
- Speak to a licensed doctor about your symptoms: say how often your periods come, which symptoms bother you most, and whether you want a pregnancy now or later.
- Leave with a plan: what to do, what to take and for how long, and which signs mean you should be seen in person. If the doctor prescribes, use the prescription at a pharmacy near you.
No sign-up needed
Not sure it’s PCOS? Tick every symptom you have to see each condition page that mentions it. It finds the right page, not a diagnosis: a doctor gives you that on a video call.
Tap the body — an area or a point — to browse symptoms anywhere
Similar symptoms, different condition? Amenorrhoea (Absent Periods) can start the same way. Compare them, or look up any other symptom in the full symptom checker.
Frequently asked questions about PCOS
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome, a common hormone condition that can affect periods, hair, skin, weight, fertility and mood. In May 2026 it was renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS).
Why was PCOS renamed PMOS?
Because the old name, PCOS, pointed to ovarian cysts, but not everyone with the condition has polycystic ovaries, and cysts alone do not confirm it. The new name reflects a lifelong hormonal and metabolic condition.
What are the main symptoms of PCOS?
The main symptoms of PCOS are irregular or absent periods, difficulty getting pregnant, excess facial or body hair, hair thinning, acne or oily skin, weight gain, tiredness, low mood, and dark patches of skin on the neck or armpits.
How is PCOS diagnosed?
PCOS is diagnosed when at least 2 of 3 are present and other causes are ruled out: irregular or absent periods, signs or blood tests showing high male hormones, and polycystic ovaries on an ultrasound scan.
Can you have PCOS without cysts?
Yes. Polycystic ovaries are only one of the three features, and two are enough for the diagnosis, so some women with PCOS do not have polycystic ovaries.
What causes PCOS?
The cause of PCOS is not known. Hormones such as insulin and testosterone not working properly seem to play a part, and it is more likely if a close relative has it or you are from an Asian background.
Can PCOS be prevented?
PCOS itself cannot be prevented, because the tendency is largely inherited, but its complications largely can: keeping weight in a healthy range, or losing 5 to 10% if overweight, restores periods and ovulation in many women and sharply cuts the risk of diabetes; regular exercise, a diet lower in refined carbohydrate, not smoking, treating sleep apnoea, and yearly checks of blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol prevent most of the long-term harm. Regular withdrawal bleeds protect the womb lining when periods are absent.
Can PCOS be cured permanently?
No, there is no cure for PCOS, but treatment and lifestyle changes help the symptoms, support fertility and lower the long-term risks of diabetes, heart disease and womb cancer.
Can you get pregnant with PCOS?
Yes, although PCOS is a leading cause of infertility. Lifestyle changes, medicines that help ovulation, surgery or IVF can help, and pregnancy needs extra care because of a higher risk of diabetes and high blood pressure.
How does PCOS change over a lifetime, and what is the outlook?
PCOS is lifelong, but it changes: symptoms usually start around puberty, periods and fertility problems dominate the 20s and 30s, and after the menopause the hormonal symptoms fade while the metabolic risks, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease, come to the fore, so check-ups continue. The outlook with treatment is good: most women with PCOS who want children conceive, often with simple help, and the long-term risks fall sharply with weight control, exercise and regular monitoring.
How do you lose weight with PCOS, and what helps at home?
With PCOS, healthy eating and regular activity come first and help even without weight loss. Metformin and weight loss medicines can help some women, after a consultation.
Is PCOS genetic?
PCOS tends to run in families: it is more likely if your mother, sister or aunt has it, and studies in twins suggest genes account for a large share of the risk, with many genes each adding a little rather than one PCOS gene; the exact cause is not known, and weight, insulin resistance and events before birth also play a part. There is no genetic test, and daughters of women with PCOS can be checked early if periods are irregular.
Is it PCOS or something else?
PCOS is diagnosed only when at least 2 of its 3 features are present, irregular or absent periods, signs of high male hormones such as excess hair, acne or hair loss from the head, and polycystic ovaries on a scan, and other causes have been ruled out, which is why blood tests are part of the assessment. Irregular periods, acne and excess hair each have other causes, and you can have PCOS without polycystic ovaries; 3 missed periods in a row need a doctor.
Can an online doctor treat PCOS?
Partly. A doctor can assess PCOS symptoms by video, arrange blood tests and prescribe treatment for periods, hair, acne and weight. The ultrasound and fertility treatment are in person.
- Polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed 30 June 2026.
- Polycystic ovary syndrome: fact sheet, WHO, World Health Organization, 22 January 2026.
- BMUS statement on the renaming of PCOS to PMOS, British Medical Ultrasound Society, 4 June 2026.
- PCOS officially renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS), Endometriosis UK, 13 May 2026.
- Missed or late periods, NHS, National Health Service (UK), reviewed 12 June 2026.
This page is for information only and is not a substitute for a medical consultation. Guideline links are provided for transparency; treatment decisions are made with your doctor.
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