Missing a period for more than 2 months with PCOS is common, but it's not something to ignore. This is called secondary amenorrhea, and it's directly linked to hormonal imbalances caused by PCOS. It's worth speaking to a healthcare provider if this is happening regularly. When periods are absent or irregular, it usually Show Full Answer
Missing a period for more than 2 months with PCOS is common, but it's not something to ignore. This is called secondary amenorrhea, and it's directly linked to hormonal imbalances caused by PCOS. It's worth speaking to a healthcare provider if this is happening regularly. When periods are absent or irregular, it usually means ovulation isn't happening consistently. This is the main way PCOS affects fertility. Here's what's important to know:
- About 30–40% of women who consistently miss periods have PCOS
- Irregular or absent ovulation makes it harder to conceive naturally
- About half of women with PCOS have difficulty getting pregnant without medical support
The good news is that pregnancy is still possible with PCOS, and there are options to help. There are several approaches that can improve fertility with PCOS:
- Weight management — even a 10% reduction in body weight can increase the chance of pregnancy by up to 68% in some cases
- Ovulation-stimulating medications — prescribed by a doctor to encourage regular ovulation
- IVF (in vitro fertilization) — an option if other treatments haven't worked
Talking to a healthcare provider is the best first step to understand what's right for your specific situation.
September 6