Understanding the 4 Types of PCOS: Which One Are You?

Hi HealthierHer, 

Welcome back! (PS: I missed you!)

Before we dive into PCOS like detectives at a hormonal crime scene… here’s a quick joke for the vibe:

Why did the ovary start a podcast?
Because it had too many episodes and needed to vent! 🎙️

Okay, now that we’re all smiling—let’s talk about something that totally blew my mind when I first learned it:
PCOS isn’t one-size-fits-all! 🤯

Yep, there are actually different types of PCOS, and each one has its own triggers, symptoms, and management style.

When I first found out, it was during prep for the very first meetup of a PCOS support community I started at my university. As I was reading articles for my presentation, I stumbled across this information and had one of those “Wait… this makes sense now!” moments.
It felt so validating to finally understand why my symptoms looked the way they did.

So, let’s take a quick look at the 4 main types of PCOS

1. Insulin-Resistant PCOS
   The most common type. It’s caused by high insulin levels, which can disrupt ovulation and boost androgen (male hormone) production.
   Common signs: sugar cravings, belly weight gain, fatigue, and mood swings.

2. Post-Pill PCOS
   

   This one can happen after stopping hormonal birth control. Your body’s readjusting, which can lead to acne, irregular periods, or no periods at all.
   The good news? It’s often temporary!

3. Inflammatory PCOS
   

   Driven by chronic inflammation in the body. It can interfere with hormone balance and ovulation.
   You might notice: fatigue, bloating, skin issues, or joint pain.

4. Adrenal PCOS
   

   The stress-driven type! Caused by excess androgen (like DHEA-S) from the adrenal glands—not the ovaries.
   Typically: stress hormones are high, but insulin and inflammation are normal.

Each type has its own personality—kind of like the Spice Girls of hormones —and knowing your type can be a game-changer when it comes to managing your symptoms.

Stay tuned for the next post where I’ll be diving deep into each type 

And if you’re reading this thinking “Wait, this is ME!”—girl, same. You’re not alone.

Let’s chat in the comments:
Which type sounds most like you?