Types of PCOS

Post-pill PCOS usually shows up about one to two months after stopping the birth control pill. Most women with this type of PCOS had normal periods before going on the pill. Since the pill suppresses androgen levels, stopping this medication may result in “androgen rebound” and cause typical high androgen symptoms like acne, hair loss, and/or hair growth on face/chest.

While post-pill PCOS is usually temporary, a number of factors can influence how long these symptoms last after stopping the pill. Eating an anti-inflammatory diet, optimizing gut health, and replacing nutrients commonly depleted from the pill (like the B-complex vitamins) is crucial in this type of PCOS.

Chronic inflammation occurs when your body’s response to injury lingers for a longer period of time. A variety of factors can cause chronic inflammation like diet/lifestyle, poor gut health, and environmental toxins. However, insulin resistance, high cortisol levels, and the birth control pill all drive inflammation as well. So in this case, an individual may have overlapping types of PCOS. 

Note: one of the most important blood tests for measuring inflammation is called high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (HS-CRP). An HS-CRP higher than 2.0 tells us inflammation is present in the body. 

The goal in treating inflammatory PCOS is to identify and address the underlying cause of inflammation. Inflammation may be caused by insulin resistance, poor gut health, or chronic stress and adrenal dysfunction. You can lower inflammation by eating an anti-inflammatory diet, optimizing gut health, and using appropriate supplements like omega-3 and n-acetyl cysteine (NAC).

There is likely some component of inflammation related to all types of PCOS. Our PCOS bundle is helpful for lowering inflammation.

PCOS is a complex condition with a variety of root causes. The four types of PCOS include insulin resistance, adrenal, post-pill, and inflammatory PCOS.

If you feel overwhelmed in managing PCOS on your own, we’re here to help.  Our doctors and dietitians can help you identify the root cause of your PCOS when you join our membership.