Can childhood experiences cause PCOS?

What we know, and what we don't.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common (and commonly misunderstood) hormonal conditions that can affect women. It presents differently for different women, but typical symptoms include irregular or absent periods, elevated androgen levels (like testosterone), weight gain linked to insulin resistance, unusual hair growth (hirsutism), fertility challenges, and polycystic ovaries visible on ultrasound. Despite affecting around 1 in 10 women, PCOS is still routinely misdiagnosed or misunderstood. Many people spend months, sometimes years, searching for answers.‍

What causes PCOS?

The short answer is: we don’t yet fully know. But there’s growing interest in how early life experiences might play a role.

‍The role of early life stress: what the science says -

‍Some recent studies have explored whether adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) - like trauma, neglect, or chronic stress - might influence the development or severity of gynaecological conditions, including PCOS. It’s a compelling idea. We know that childhood stress can impact everything from hormone regulation to long-term metabolic health. But as our Chief Scientific Officer, Dr Cecilia Lindgren, shared in a recent conversation with journalist Hannah Fox, the research is still in early stages. While some studies suggest potential links, there’s no definitive evidence proving any causal link between childhood trauma and PCOS. The relationship remains complex and inconclusive, but merits further investigation.

‍Why it matters -

Too often, women find themselves piecing together their own diagnoses, making connections between life experience and health that the system overlooks. It’s a symptom of a wider issue: the persistent gaps in women’s health research.This is why myth-busting and better data matter so much. When research doesn’t represent women’s lived realities, care suffers, both in terms of timely diagnosis and the long-term support women receive.

‍Our approach at Aneira -

‍At Aneira, we treat the whole woman, not just one condition. That means looking beyond a single set of symptoms to understand how everything from your medical history to your lifestyle and hormones fits together.We’re also contributing to research that helps fill the massive data gaps in women’s health, particularly for chronic conditions like PCOS, endometriosis and fibroids, to provide clinically accurate, personalised care that reflects the real lives and needs of women.