Some meal ideas might be:

* Wholemeal toast with peanut butter and sliced strawberries

* Baked sweet potato with tuna, mayonnaise and sweetcorn.

* Vegan lentil chilli with brown rice and guacamole.

For more information on a low GI diet see here.

Myth #4: It only affects women who are obese or overweight

While it is true that people with PCOS are more likely to have a higher weight,  women in the ‘normal’ BMI category also get PCOS (this is sometimes called “lean PCOS”).

Having a higher weight doesn’t cause PCOS but it can contribute to insulin resistance and increased male sex hormone levels. For those with a BMI >25, 5-10% weight loss is linked with significant improvements in the regulation of periods and fertility (see this study).

BUT dieting and pursuing weight loss does not come without its own risks – particularly as women with PCOS are more likely to develop disordered eating (see this study). This is likely due to the pressure on women with PCOS to lose weight and the fact women with PCOS find weight loss more challenging, placing them at risk for disordered eating behaviours such as severe restriction or binge eating.

So focusing on weight loss isn’t in the best interest of all women with PCOS –  but you can still take an active role in improving your health and symptoms of PCOS by focusing on managing stress, exercise, sleep, and maintaining a healthy diet.

Myth #5: You can’t get pregnant if you have PCOS

One of the most common symptoms of PCOS is irregular or absent periods, which means that ovulation does not always occur, which can therefore make it harder – or take longer – to get pregnant.

However, reassuringly, there are effective treatments that can support women with PCOS to get pregnant. In fact, research shows that both people with and without PCOS have a similar number of pregnancies and children (see this study).

There’s also some evidence that women with PCOS may have certain fertility advantages, such as a slower decline in the number of healthy eggs as women get older (i.e. into their 30s and 40s) (see this study).

Myth #6: PCOS always causes excessive hair growth

One of the most common symptoms of PCOS (according to TikTok, anyway) is hair growth — usually in places where you might not want it, such as the chin and the cheeks. However, having unusual facial hair growth doesn’t necessarily mean you have PCOS — and having no unusual hair growth also doesn’t mean you don’t have it, either.

In reality, things aren’t quite so clear cut. While some women do notice extra thicker hair on their faces, others may not experience the symptom at all. In fact, according to a 2022 study, around 70% of women with PCOS experience this symptom, while 30% do not.

If you are concerned about polycystic ovary syndrome, it’s always recommended to book an appointment with your GP to discuss diagnosis and treatment. You can find your local GP here.