All about the relationship between PCOS and type 2 diabetes

In this article below, highly experienced consultant gynaecologist, Ms Michelle Swer, shares her expert insights with regards to the relationship between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and diabetes.

In your experience, do you find women aren't informed about their increased risk of diabetes when diagnosed with PCOS?

Once a diagnosis is made of PCOS, women should be informed that regardless of their age or BMI, they do have an increased risk of impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance that can lead to type 2 diabetes. What is sometimes not understood or explained clearly is that this involves a regular reassessment of your glycaemic levels more than the general population. It is important that women are aware of this so that can have control of this part of their health and are on top of ensuring regular check-ups.

What changes should you make to manage it and reduce diabetes risk?

Women should get a reassessment every three years of their glycaemic status (glucose tolerance test or blood test of fasting glucose can do this). Increased weight gain increases this risk, so maintaining a healthy BMI with regular exercise and a balanced diet reduces this risk.

Do you have any stats on this at all? (no problem if not)

In general, the prevalence of impaired glucose is significantly higher in women with PCOS compared to their healthy BMI-matched peers. With regards to type 2 diabetes in women of reproductive age, the mean prevalence is between one and three percent, whereas in PCOS, its prevalence ranges from 1.5 to 12.4 percent in some studies.

This wide range partly depends on the age of the studied subjects, with the higher incidence (12.4 percent) recorded in a study evaluating mostly perimenopausal women with PCOS and a mean age of 46 years.

Why do you think there's such a lack of understanding in relation to the relationship between diabetes and PCOS? 

This is a mixture of patient understanding and also how the information is cascaded to general practitioners. PCOS is usually diagnosed in younger women and the risk of type 2 diabetes at that age feels unlikely, so this likely gets forgotten about, especially if there have been no concerns with BMI. 

The assessment of type 2 diabetes is usually carried out by GPs and PCOS being recognised as a risk factor should be included in the diabetes guidelines for the general public. Once the PCOS diagnosis is made then these women should be invited or ensure they are highlighting to their GP the importance of regular assessments.

To book an appointment with Ms Michelle Swer today, simply visit her Top Doctors profile.