Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) typically affects people of child-bearing age.
Because of this, some people wonder if it stops once a person reaches menopause.
The short answer is no,menopausedoes not cure PCOS.
Illustration by Sydney Saporito for Verywell Health
However, PCOS does manifest differently inperimenopauseand beyond.
Read on to learn how PCOS and menopause are connected, including symptoms and management.
This imbalance occurs with the onset of PCOS, regardless of age.
This can resolve some of the symptoms associated with high androgen levels.
Perimenopausal people with PCOS still tend to have higher androgen levels than perimenopausal people without PCOS.
People without PCOS go through similar changes when they reach perimenopause andmenopauseas people with PCOS.
Factors associated with PCOS commonly appear during perimenopause for people who don’t have PCOS.
Most of the research on these increased risks have focused on premenopausal and perimenopausal people.
There may be some cases in which the risks do decline.
Their cardiovascular risk remained significantly higher than in the general population.
Overlapping Symptoms
PCOS is a condition, while menopause is a developmentally normal life change like puberty.
But just as puberty and PCOS can have overlapping symptoms, so can PCOS and menopause.
Symptoms vary from person to person.
Speak with your healthcare provider to explore your symptoms further.
Sexual desire and arousal were listed as the main concerns.
These factors can also affect menopausal people.
Menopausal peoplecan also experience changes in the vagina such as dryness that can make intercourse uncomfortable or painful.
PCOS
Medications include:
Menopause
If medication is used for menopause, it is typically hormone therapy.
PCOS canmake weight loss difficult, largely because of the associated insulin resistance.
Menopausal people may also find losing weight more difficult than it used to be.
This can be discouraging.
PCOS can cause strong cravings, particularly for sugar.
Older people with PCOS who have struggled with food management over their lifetime may also havedisordered eatingpractices to face.
Summary
PCOS changes its manifestation but does not go away after menopause.
Some of the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause overlap with PCOS.
Both PCOS and menopause can often be managed with lifestyle habits.
If lifestyle alone isn’t enough to offer relief, medications are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
PCOS is a hormonal disorder, while menopause is a life stage.
Lifestyle habits can make a big impact on PCOS symptoms.
Some symptoms of PCOS and menopause overlap and can occur at the same time.
The same is true for risk factors such asdiabetesand CVD.
These risks increase in most menopausal people but tend to be higher in those with PCOS.
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