From the time in March 2020 when COVID started to shut down much of the East and West Coasts in the United States, I briefly wondered if conditions like PCOS should be considered “underlying conditions” that could make contracting COVID even worse, since it’s already a condition that affects hormones and the endocrine system. Well, it turns out that there was something to that!

While the research is still ongoing, there have been several articles and studies recently exploring this issue of whether people with PCOS are at higher risk for severe symptoms from COVID. So with that, let’s explore a few basic questions on this PCOS-COVID connection!

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and do not claim to offer medical advice in these posts. These are meant to be informational only. Please consult further with your doctor for specific advice and treatment plans.

Is There a Connection Between PCOS and COVID?

Again, while the research is still ongoing, the answer appears to be yes, there is some connection between having PCOS and severity of COVID symptoms. According to a study by BMC Medicine, while women with PCOS would typically not be considered at high risk for COVID due to their age and gender, “attention should be directed to maintain a high standard of care for complex patients such as many women with PCOS and provide relevant practical recommendations for optimal management in the setting of this fast moving pandemic”–in other words, there does appear to be some connection.

And as a recent Philadelphia Inquirer article explains, similar to my thought process, it’s logical to think that PCOS and COVID might have a connection, since “PCOS is a complex metabolic and endocrine disorder that is linked to a variety of chronic conditions, including obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and asthma. Federal health agencies warn that each of those conditions can make COVID-19 more devastating, as can cancer, HIV infection, dementia, and sickle-cell disease. Yet PCOS is not mentioned in high-risk groups.”

The article cites a British study that indicated that women with PCOS were much more likely to get COVID than women of the same age without PCOS.

Two reasons why PCOS is thought to cause a more severe reaction to COVID are that since COVID is more common in men, and women with PCOS have elevated male hormones (or androgens, particularly testosterone), that might explain why PCOS is a risk factor. Additionally, since PCOS causes inflammation, this is even more true when the body is fighting off an illness like COVID.

What Else Should I Know About PCOS and COVID?

At the end of the day, stories like this just further prove the great need for more research on this connection and PCOS in general. PCOS research is pathetically underfunded and understudied, especially since it is becoming increasingly more common as women learn more about it on sites like this one! PCOS is nowhere near as known about as much as it should be, though celebrities with the condition who speak out can help.

PCOS is already difficult enough as it is, without the added layer of COVID (or anything else) on top of it. This information is not only helpful to patients, but to providers who may not know as much about it, and people who may have PCOS but not even realize it without the proper information.

In the meantime, besides taking usual COVID prevention measures, be sure to continue with a healthy diet & lifestyle regimen–healthy foods, supplements, exercise, relaxation, and sleep (all in consultation with your doctor, of course). While these won’t necessarily prevent you from contracting COVID, they will help support your immune system.

In any case, please continue to stay healthy and safe!

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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and do not claim to offer medical advice in these posts. These are meant to be informational only. Please consult further with your doctor for specific advice and treatment plans.

Image by Matteo Jorjoson on Unsplash