Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal and metabolic condition that causes irregular ovulation, high androgen levels, and often insulin resistance, and PCOS in Singapore is managed by GPs, gynaecologists, and endocrinologists. It affects about one in eight women. A doctor can diagnose it through blood tests and a pelvic ultrasound scan. Treatment depends on your goal: lifestyle changes for everyone, the combined pill for cycle and skin symptoms, metformin for metabolic health, and letrozole if you want to conceive while Traditional Chinese Medicine can complement this medical care.
Key Takeaways
- PCOS affects about one in eight women and was renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) in May 2026, though clinics still widely use the name PCOS.
- Doctors diagnose it when you have two of three features: irregular ovulation, signs of high androgens (male-type hormones), and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound or a high AMH level.
- Treatment usually starts with lifestyle changes and medication matched to your main goal, whether that is regular cycles, clearer skin, or pregnancy.
- PCOS raises long-term metabolic risks, so regular checks for insulin resistance, cholesterol, and blood pressure matter even when symptoms feel mild.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine can support cycle regularity and wellbeing alongside your medical care.
What Is PCOS, and Why Is It Now Called PMOS?
PCOS was renamed polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS) in May 2026, after an international consensus published in The Lancet, because the old name wrongly suggested the condition is about ovarian cysts. The small structures seen on ultrasound are actually follicles, a normal part of the ovary. Your diagnosis and treatment stay the same. A three-year transition runs until the international PCOS guideline is updated in 2028, so you will see both names used for now.
Common Signs That Lead to a PCOS Check
Most women seek help because of irregular or missed periods, acne, excess facial or body hair, thinning scalp hair, weight changes, or difficulty getting pregnant. Not every woman with PCOS is overweight, and symptoms range from mild to severe. The signs of PCOS vary so widely that noticing two or more together is usually what prompts a first doctor’s visit.
How Is PCOS Diagnosed in Singapore?
Doctors diagnose PCOS when you have at least two of these three features, after ruling out other causes:
- Irregular or absent ovulation, usually shown by irregular or missed periods
- High androgen levels, seen on a blood test or as symptoms like excess hair growth or acne
- Polycystic ovaries on ultrasound or, in adults, a high AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone, released by small ovarian follicles) level
For teenagers, the international recommendations for PCOS in adolescents require both irregular cycles and high androgens, and advise against using ultrasound or AMH, since the ovaries naturally change during puberty.
Where can you get tested for PCOS?
Start with a GP, who can order initial blood tests and refer you on. A gynaecologist is the usual next step, especially if fertility is a concern. An endocrinologist can help if insulin resistance or weight is an issue.
What tests to expect
Expect blood tests for hormones such as AMH, testosterone, LH and FSH, Sex hormone-binding globulin plus thyroid and prolactin checks to rule out conditions with similar symptoms. A pelvic ultrasound may follow.
What Are the Treatment Options for PCOS?
Treatment depends on your main goal, and most plans combine lifestyle changes with medication where needed. The 2023 international PCOS guideline outlines the following standard practices:
- Lifestyle first: healthy eating and regular activity improve insulin resistance and cycles, with benefits even without weight loss. Many local staples, such as white rice, noodles, and sweetened coffee or tea, are high in refined carbohydrates or sugar. Swapping to brown rice or whole grains and choosing less-sweet drinks (kosong or siew dai) is a practical place to start.
- Regular periods, acne and hair growth: the combined oral contraceptive pills are recommended as a first-line pharmacological option for cycle regulation and management of excess androgen symptoms such as acne and hirsutism.
- Insulin resistance and metabolic health: metformin is recognised as a therapeutic option to assist with blood glucose control and related cardiometabolic factors.
- Trying to conceive: letrozole is established as a first-line therapy to stimulate ovulation for pregnancy planning, with gonadotropins or assisted reproductive technology (IVF) serving as subsequent options if needed.
Why Long-Term Health Checks Matter With PCOS
PCOS raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol problems. When periods are very infrequent, the womb lining can also thicken over time. Regular screening catches these changes early, see a medical professional if you go more than three months without a period. If you become pregnant, tell your obstetrician about PCOS early, since it raises the risk of gestational diabetes and high blood pressure in pregnancy.
Is PCOS Different for Women in Singapore?
It may be. A study published in Nature Medicine, involving researchers from NUS Medicine and the National University Hospital, identified four PCOS subtypes. In the Singapore group, 53% of women had the SHBG subtype, which has the highest levels of SHBG (a protein that carries sex hormones in the blood), the lowest BMI, and lower LH and testosterone levels. The researchers found that Singaporean women with PCOS are likely to have more favourable outcomes than women in Western populations, and the high share of this subtype may help explain why. The same diagnosis and health checks still apply to you.
How Can Traditional Chinese Medicine Support PCOS Care?
Traditional Chinese Medicine works best as support alongside your medical treatment. A TCM physician first identifies your pattern, often a mix of Spleen weakness, Kidney deficiency, Liver Qi stagnation, and Phlegm-Dampness. Your plan may then combine needleless meridian therapy (Baliao therapy), Customised Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture in Singapore, which women most often use for cycle and fertility support, aiming for steadier cycles, better energy and less stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can PCOS be cured?
No, but it can be managed well. Symptoms often improve with lifestyle changes and the right treatment, and many women with PCOS go on to have children.
Can I get pregnant with PCOS?
Yes. Many women conceive naturally or with ovulation medication such as letrozole. IVF is usually a later option, used when simpler treatments have not worked.
Do I need to lose weight to manage PCOS?
Not necessarily. Many women with PCOS are not overweight, and healthy habits help even without weight loss. If you carry extra weight, losing a modest amount can improve your cycles and insulin resistance.
Should I say PCOS or PMOS to my doctor?
Either is fine. Both names describe the same condition, and clinics still widely use PCOS during the transition to 2028.
Why Choose Wo.men Matters for PCOS Support
PCOS care works best when it is coordinated. At Wo.men Matters, our physicians review your blood tests, ultrasound results, and cycle history alongside a full Traditional Chinese Medicine assessment. We then build a plan that fits around the care you receive from your GP, gynaecologist or endocrinologist. At Wo.men Matters, our bilingual team is here to ensure every step of your care is clearly communicated and understood. Connect with our team and bring any recent test results along so we can help guide your next steps. Your matter, our matter.
