What Risk Do Women Have With PCOS?

Women with PCOS have greater chances of developing serious health issues, including life-threatening diseases.

• More than 50% will have diabetes or prediabetes (impaired glucose tolerance) before the age of 40.
• The risk of heart attack is 4-7 times higher than in women of the same age without PCOS
• There is a greater risk of having high blood pressure.
• Women with PCOS  have high levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol.
• Can develop sleep apnea (when breathing stops for short periods of time during sleep).
• May develop anxiety and depression.
• At risk for endometrial cancer. Irregular menstrual periods and the lack of ovulation cause women to produce the estrogen, but not the progesterone. Without progesterone, the endometrium becomes thick, which can cause heavy or irregular bleeding. Over time, this can lead to endometrial hyperplasia and cancer.