PCOS & Mental Health
How mental health support and PCOS / PMOS go hand in hand.
Your Mental Health Is Part of Your PCOS Care
Living with Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS), formerly known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), can affect far more than your periods or hormone levels.
Women with PCOS may experience anxiety, depression, mood swings, body image concerns, and more. Managing symptoms such as infertility, unwanted hair growth, acne, hair loss, weight changes, or unpredictable periods can add another layer to your emotional well-being.
At PCOS Sisters, we believe comprehensive PCOS / PMOS care means paying attention to both physical and mental health.
Our PCOS specialists incorporate mental health into your overall care and can help determine when additional support from a mental health specialist may be beneficial.
Could Your Symptoms Be Related to PCOS?
Anxiety, depression, or changes in mood alone do not mean you have PCOS. But if you’re experiencing mental health concerns alongside symptoms such as irregular periods, acne, unwanted facial or body hair, hair thinning, weight changes, or difficulty becoming pregnant, it may be worth looking at the bigger picture.
Our free PCOS / PMOS Screening Tool that takes about 10 minutes to help you determine whether you may benefit from further evaluation and testing with a PMOS / PCOS specialist.
The PCOS/PMOS Screening Tool is not a diagnostic test and cannot diagnose PCOS/PMOS. Diagnosis requires evaluation by a qualified healthcare provider.
The Connection Between PCOS & Mental Health
PCOS and mental health have a complex relationship.
Women with PCOS experience higher rates of anxiety and depression, and several factors may contribute. Hormonal and metabolic changes may play a role, while the day-to-day experience of living with a chronic condition can also affect emotional well-being.
PCOS symptoms themselves can be difficult to navigate. Fertility challenges, changes in appearance, weight concerns, chronic symptoms, and uncertainty surrounding your health can contribute to stress, frustration, anxiety, or depression.
That’s why mental health shouldn’t be treated as an afterthought in PCOS care.
Mental Health as Part of Your Personalized Treatment Plan
Every woman’s PCOS experience is different.
During your care, your medical board certified provider can discuss your emotional well-being alongside your physical symptoms, medical history, medications, hormone and metabolic health, and personal goals.
Depending on your individual needs, your care may include:
- Mental health screening and ongoing check-ins
- Evaluation of physical symptoms that may be affecting your quality of life
- Review of medications and overall treatment plan
- Medication management when clinically appropriate and within the scope of your provider
- Lifestyle and wellness support
- Referral to a therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, or other mental health professional when specialized care is needed
We look at the complete picture and help connect you with the appropriate level of care.
Specialized Women's Mental Health Partners
Sometimes comprehensive care means bringing additional specialists onto your team.
PCOS Sisters works with trusted mental health partners who provide specialized behavioral and psychiatric care for women. These partnerships allow our patients to access additional support when their needs extend beyond the care provided by our team.
LunaJoy provides virtual mental health care focused on women throughout different stages of life. Their services include therapy and psychiatric care through telehealth, giving patients another option for specialized mental health support.
Mavida Health provides specialized mental health care for women, especially those on the journey of motherhood. Mavida is another resource for PCOS Sisters patients who may benefit from dedicated behavioral or psychiatric support.
Your PCOS Sisters provider can help you determine when additional mental health care may be appropriate as part of your overall treatment plan.
PCOS & Mental Health FAQs
Can PCOS affect your mental health?
Yes. Women with PCOS experience higher rates of anxiety and depression, although the relationship between PCOS and mental health is complex. Hormonal and metabolic factors, physical symptoms, fertility concerns, body image, and the challenges of managing a chronic condition may all contribute.
How does PCOS Sisters treat mental health?
At PCOS Sisters, we treat mental health conditions with medication therapy that is prescribed based on the patient’s needs. PCOS Sisters incorporates mental health screening and support into comprehensive PCOS / PMOS care. When patients need dedicated therapy, counseling, psychiatric care, or other specialized mental health services, we can recommend or refer patients to appropriate mental health professionals, including our mental health partners.
Does treating PCOS improve mental health?
Treating PCOS can help improve your mental health, especially when symptoms like weight gain, infertility, acne and more has been shown to have significant impact on mental health. It’s important to note that treating PCOS alone is not a cure for mental health struggles. Your PCOS specialist will consider all symptoms and recommend ongoing treatment with a mental health specialist if needed.
Does PCOS Sisters accept insurance?
PCOS Sisters Telehealth Clinic & Wellness Center accepts self -pay and insured patients. We accept insurance in many states. If we don’t accept your insurance for the evaluation visits, you may self-pay and still use your insurance for labs, imaging, and medications. We cannot accept Medicaid or Medicare patients.
Whole-Person PCOS Treatment
PCOS isn’t just a reproductive condition, and your care shouldn’t focus on a single symptom.
PCOS Sisters provides personalized PCOS / PMOS care that considers your hormones, metabolic health, periods, fertility, physical symptoms, mental well-being, lifestyle, and individual goals.
If PCOS is affecting the way you feel physically or emotionally, we’re here to help you build a care plan that looks at the whole picture.
Are You a Mental Health Provider?
Women with PMOS (PCOS) benefit from healthcare professionals who understand that physical and mental health are connected.
PCOS Sisters, also known as PMOS Sisters™, partners with mental health professionals and organizations to help improve access to coordinated, comprehensive care for women with PMOS.
If you’re a therapist, counselor, psychiatrist, psychiatric provider, or mental health organization interested in working with us, we’d love to connect.