PCOS and Menopause

What happens to people with PCOS, besides missed or irregular periods and difficulties with fertility?

The common symptoms of PCOS include:

• Acne
• Weight gain
• Excessive hair growth (especially on the face and chin)
• Skin tags or darkening skin in areas like neck creases, groin and underneath breasts
• Hair loss or thinning hair (especially on the scalp, as in male-pattern baldness)

Does PCOS cause early menopause?

No, PCOS does not cause early menopause. In fact, people with PCOS tend to go through menopause about two years later than people without PCOS.

What happens to PCOS as you reach menopause? Does it change?

One thing that does change if you have PCOS is that your menstrual cycles will likely become more regular as you hit your 40s and inch closer to menopause, said Mary Jane Minkin, M.D., a clinical professor of obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive sciences at the Yale University School of Medicine and a member of HealthyWomen’s Women’s Health Advisory Council.

So, because hormone levels gradually fall during menopause, does PCOS go away after menopause?

Not exactly, no. Although menopause reduces the hormones progesterone and estrogen, menopause does not decrease the levels of androgens. Testosterone levels do eventually decrease in people with PCOS, but studies have found that this does not occur until around age 70, which is approximately 20 years post-menopause for most women.

Read: Fast Facts: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Across Your Lifespan >>

Because the PCOS hormonal imbalance doesn't change for many years, people with PCOS still have the same health risks that have always existed with PCOS, as it affects many systems in the body.

What health conditions are linked to PCOS?

Aging and perimenopause and menopause increase the risk of conditions like diabetes, stroke and heart attack, and people with PCOS are also at higher risk for:

• High blood pressure
  
• Unhealthy cholesterol levels
• Sleep apnea
• Depression and anxiety
  
• Endometrial cancer
• Obesity
• Chronic inflammation

If you’re dealing with PCOS and perimenopause and menopause, what can you do to lower your risk for health issues?

Be extra vigilant. “Keep an eye on blood pressure and BMI (body mass index); eat a healthy, well-balanced diet and make sure to get regular exercise,” Minkin said.

It's especially important to talk to your healthcare provider (HCP) if you’re living with obesity because obesity can make PCOS worse. According to the Mayo Clinic, losing just 5% of your body weight may help make a difference.

There is no cure for PCOS but research is ongoing. The good news is that symptoms can be controlled — similar to the way menopause symptoms can be controlled and managed — with treatments including healthy lifestyle changes. Talk to your HCP about your options for managing PCOS and menopause.