Recent research found that people with PCOS are more likely to experience gastrointestinal disturbances, with the risk of IBS being two times higher for those living with the metabolic condition.

While women tend to have more diverse gut microbiomes than men, those with PCOS often have the opposite. This issue, known as gut dysbiosis, can cause symptoms such as bloating, diarrhoea, excessive gas, constipation, abdominal cramping and acid reflux or heartburn. That lack of diversity can also exacerbate certain PCOS symptoms like inflammation and insulin resistance, making the whole thing a vicious circle.

“Imbalances in gut bacteria can impact hormone regulation and inflammation, both of which are relevant in PCOS,” says Dr Emily Leeming, microbiome scientist and author of Genius Gut: The Life-Changing Science Of Eating for Your Second Brain. “Lower diversity of gut bacteria is linked to higher levels of testosterone in women and cells being less responsive to insulin.”

This is a huge, albeit little-known, issue in the PCOS community. A study by hormonal health company Mira found that 94% of PCOS patients face gut health problems, while 64% experience gut health symptoms more than once a week. While the study was small (only 400 participants), the results established a link between gut health and PCOS, further highlighting the need for more research and funding for issues surrounding PCOS.

PCOS and gut health are intimately linked – 3 women share how they’ve improved symptoms through diet