PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) in Singapore — Symptoms & Management

Written & reviewed by the BestDoctors.sg editorial team · Last updated 1 Sep 2026 · General information, not medical advice

At a glance

• PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) is a common hormonal condition affecting women of reproductive age.
• Typical features are irregular periods, signs of excess male hormones (acne, excess hair), and polycystic ovaries on scan.
• It is a leading cause of difficulty conceiving due to irregular ovulation.
• It also affects long-term metabolic health, so management matters beyond fertility.

What PCOS is

Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common hormonal conditions in women of reproductive age. It affects how the ovaries work and how regularly they release an egg (ovulate). Despite the name, the “cysts” seen on an ultrasound scan are not true cysts at all: they are many small, immature follicles that have not developed and released an egg in the usual way. PCOS is best understood not as a single problem but as a pattern — a combination of hormone imbalance and, in many women, insulin resistance, where the body’s cells respond less well to the hormone insulin. This tends to raise levels of male-type hormones (androgens) and disrupt the normal cycle of ovulation, which is why the condition shows up across the skin, the menstrual cycle, fertility and long-term metabolic health all at once.

Symptoms

PCOS looks different from one woman to the next, and few people have every feature. The most common signs include irregular or infrequent periods, or periods that stop altogether, and difficulty conceiving because ovulation is irregular. Raised androgens can cause acne and oily skin, excess facial or body hair (hirsutism), and thinning of the hair on the scalp in a pattern similar to male hair loss. Many women notice weight gain, particularly around the middle, and find it hard to lose weight — although it is important to know that some women with PCOS are slim and of normal weight. Symptoms can also change over time and may become more noticeable at times of weight gain or stress. Because the features overlap with other conditions, none of them on its own confirms PCOS.

How it is diagnosed

There is no single test for PCOS. Instead, doctors look for a combination of features and make the diagnosis only after excluding other causes with similar symptoms, such as thyroid disease or raised levels of other hormones. In practice, the diagnosis usually requires at least two of three features: irregular or absent ovulation (reflected in irregular or missing periods); clinical signs or blood-test evidence of raised androgens; and the characteristic polycystic appearance of the ovaries on an ultrasound scan. A doctor will typically take a history of your cycles and symptoms, examine the skin and hair, arrange blood tests, and sometimes request a pelvic ultrasound. Because a scan alone can look “polycystic” in women who do not have the syndrome, the picture is always interpreted alongside symptoms and blood results rather than in isolation. In Singapore, this assessment can begin with a GP or polyclinic doctor, who may refer you to a gynaecologist or endocrinologist where needed.

Causes and who is at risk

The exact cause of PCOS is not fully understood, but two threads run through it: hormone imbalance and insulin resistance. When cells respond poorly to insulin, the body produces more of it, and higher insulin levels can push the ovaries to make more androgens — which in turn disrupts ovulation. PCOS also tends to run in families, so a mother or sister with the condition, with irregular periods, or with type 2 diabetes raises the likelihood. Being overweight can worsen insulin resistance and make symptoms more pronounced, but weight is not the whole story, and slim women can be affected too. PCOS is common, and recognising it is the first step towards managing both the day-to-day symptoms and the longer-term risks.

Complications and associated risks

PCOS matters beyond its immediate symptoms. Irregular ovulation is a leading reason for difficulty conceiving, though many women do go on to have children. Over the longer term, the insulin resistance that underlies PCOS is linked with a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, raised blood pressure and unhealthy cholesterol levels, which together affect heart and blood-vessel health. There are also associations with sleep apnoea (interrupted breathing during sleep) and with mood problems such as low mood and anxiety, which deserve attention and support in their own right. Importantly, when periods are very infrequent or absent, the womb lining is not shed regularly and can thicken over time, which raises the risk of changes in the lining. This is why doctors pay attention to how often periods occur and may recommend treatment to protect the womb lining even in women who are not trying to conceive.

Treatment — tailored to your goals

There is no single cure for PCOS, and treatment is chosen to match your priorities — whether that is settling the skin, regulating periods, conceiving, or reducing long-term health risks. Lifestyle measures are the foundation. A balanced diet, regular physical activity and, for those who are overweight, gradual weight loss can improve insulin resistance, restore more regular cycles and ease symptoms such as acne and excess hair. Because of the strong link with insulin resistance, even modest, sustained changes often make a noticeable difference. Hormonal treatment — such as the combined hormonal contraceptive pill or other hormone-based options — can regulate periods, protect the womb lining and help with acne and unwanted hair; anti-androgen medicines are sometimes added under specialist guidance for skin and hair symptoms. For women trying to conceive, medicines that help trigger ovulation are commonly used, and if these are not enough, treatments such as IUI or IVF may be considered. Managing metabolic risk is part of care too: doctors may address insulin resistance, monitor blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol, and support weight management. A dietitian can help translate this into a practical eating plan. No medicine here should be started without a doctor’s advice, as the right choice depends on your goals and health.

Living with PCOS and self-care

PCOS is a long-term condition, but it responds well to steady, everyday care. Eating a balanced diet built around vegetables, wholegrains, lean proteins and healthy fats — and going easy on sugary drinks and highly processed foods — supports both weight and insulin sensitivity. Regular activity you can sustain, combining movement through the day with some strength work, helps in the same way. Keeping to a healthy weight, or losing a little if you are overweight, can bring cycles back towards normal and reduce long-term risks. Emotional wellbeing matters just as much: acne, hair changes, weight and fertility worries can weigh heavily, and it is reasonable to ask for support rather than manage alone. Regular health checks — keeping an eye on blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol over time — help catch and address metabolic risks early. Singapore’s HealthHub is a useful starting point for reliable general information on healthy living and women’s health.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if you have irregular, infrequent or absent periods, troublesome acne or excess hair, unexplained weight gain, or difficulty conceiving, so that PCOS can be diagnosed, other causes excluded, and a plan put in place. It is particularly worth seeking review if your periods are very infrequent or have stopped, because regular cycles help protect the womb lining. A GP or polyclinic doctor can begin the assessment and refer you to a gynaecologist, endocrinologist or dietitian as needed. Getting the right diagnosis early makes it easier to manage symptoms and to look after your long-term metabolic and reproductive health.

Common questions

Can I get pregnant with PCOS?

Yes. Many women with PCOS conceive, sometimes with lifestyle changes, ovulation medication, or assisted reproduction.

Does PCOS go away?

PCOS is a long-term condition, but its symptoms and risks can be well managed, and cycles often improve with weight and lifestyle measures.

Is PCOS linked to diabetes?

Yes. PCOS involves insulin resistance and carries a higher risk of type 2 diabetes, so metabolic health is part of management.

Related guides

• Infertility
• IUI (intrauterine insemination)
• Female hair loss
• Best fertility specialists in Singapore
• PCOS in Singapore: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment
• Insulin Resistance
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• Ovulation and Fertility Tracking in Singapore
• Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer in Singapore

Sources

• HealthHub Singapore — PCOS.
• KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital — polycystic ovary syndrome.
• Ministry of Health Singapore — women’s health.

This article is for general information only and does not replace a consultation with a qualified doctor. Please seek personalised medical advice for your situation.