How to support a partner with PCOS

8 min

Published May 29th, 2023

Updated Dec 8th, 2023

Terry Sullivan More from Terry

Table of contents

1
Understanding what PCOS is and its symptoms
2
How to support your partner with PCOS
3
Learn more about the treatments for PCOS and its potential side effects
4
Be supportive and practise patience
5
Attend medical appointments with her

There’s no doubt about it: polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can affect a woman’s quality of life and cause associated stress. As a partner of someone with PCOS, you can feel helpless. Many women might have been used to dealing with PCOS alone and over the years it may have taken its toll. But there are things you can do to support your partner and help to manage her PCOS symptoms. As well as helping her to have a better quality of life, many PCOS symptoms could affect your relationship and it helps if you understand why and what to expect.

One way you can support her is by helping her to follow expert PCOS advice; making lifestyle changes together that will improve her symptoms (while you get a health boost!).

It’s hard for those who haven’t personally experienced PCOS to fully understand the impact. After all, your partner may have been experiencing debilitating symptoms since she was a teenager. But there are so many ways in which you can provide support that’ll make a big difference — let’s take a look.

Understanding what PCOS is and its symptoms

Firstly, you need to understand what PCOS is. PCOS can be dismissed as ‘women’s period problems’, but it’s complex. Essentially, PCOS affects how your partner’s ovaries work.

There are three main features of PCOS and if your partner has at least two of these features then she has PCOS:

Polycystic ovaries – but your partner doesn’t have to have polycystic ovaries to have PCOS
Irregular periods – meaning her ovaries don’t regularly release eggs (ovulation)
Excess androgens

As a result, your partner’s PCOS symptoms might include:

Difficulty getting pregnant
Irregular periods or no periods at all
Weight gain
Excessive hair growth in places such as the face (hirsutism)
Acne
Hair loss from the head

It’s common to be diagnosed with PCOS when a woman starts trying for a baby; when the reality is that she’ll probably have been experiencing symptoms since a teenager. You might wonder how this could happen. The problem is the lack of knowledge and understanding about women’s health conditions, even within the medical profession. Often women are prescribed the birth control pill to help with irregular periods as a teenager and this conceals the symptoms for many years.

How to support your partner with PCOS

Make lifestyle changes with her

PCOS can make sufferers feel like they have a lack of control. One way in which you can help is to gently encourage your partner to take back control by making some lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes are absolutely key to controlling symptoms, so make the changes with her, as this will be a huge support and motivation.

Exercise together

Take up an exercise class, go jogging or go for walks. This will help with weight loss which is a common PCOS symptom, but also may reduce the testosterone concentration in her blood.‌ Having you there alongside will help to motivate her (and perhaps encourage some healthy competition!).

Enjoy a well-balanced diet

It’s likely that your partner’s PCOS will cause insulin resistance. High levels of insulin can increase androgens and make her symptoms worse. Have fun cooking PCOS diet recipes together that will manage her insulin levels. Make sure to include foods that are high in fibre, whole grains, anti-inflammatory foods such as nuts, tomatoes and olive oil, and fish oil (which when taken with vitamin E, has been shown to decrease insulin levels).

Go easy on the carbohydrates, especially refined carbohydrates (white bread and white rice) as it swiftly turns to sugar, increasing her insulin levels. Aim for a low glycemic index diet (remember: slow carbs, not no carbs!). It’ll also help with her PCOS symptoms to cut down on her caffeine and alcohol intake — if you do the same it’ll be a great moral support (it’s only a cut-down, not a ban!).

Get strict with your Netflix binges

Lack of sleep can disrupt her hormone function, so that next episode on Netflix can wait! If you’re both night owls, start going to bed earlier and encourage your partner to do the same. Banish devices such as your smartphones at least an hour before you go to sleep as the blue light emitting from the screen can disrupt her sleep (and yours!).

Quit smoking

Smoking increases the risk of heart disease with PCOS and if you’re trying for a baby, it’s a definite no. So if either of you smokes, quit together!

De-stress together

Stress can drive the adrenal glands to make more testosterone, so look at your lifestyle together and think of ways to de-stress each day. The stress isn’t just psychological, there can be stress on her body caused by too much exercise or lack of sleep. Yoga is a great way to combine relaxation with exercise — consider taking up yoga together. Or perhaps plan a couples spa retreat (this supportive thing isn’t so bad…).

Learn more about the treatments for PCOS and its potential side effects

We’re sure that it would mean a lot to your partner if you did some research to learn all about PCOS — it’ll make them feel truly cared about. Part of the problem with having PCOS is the lack of understanding within society. If you don’t know where to start, take a look at our blog.

Also, read through the NHS advice about PCOS treatments. If your partner is taking medication for PCOS, she may well be experiencing some unpleasant side effects which can affect her mental and physical health. Inofolic Alpha, a supplement, may be a great option to explore.

Start your journey with Inofolic Alpha, today

The PCOS supplement for women for life

Shop Inofolic® Alpha

Be supportive and practise patience

PCOS can cause a range of physical symptoms, but it can also cause your partner to feel low, affecting her mental health. This can often become apparent in mood swings. By simply acknowledging this, you can better prepare for any sudden emotional changes, providing your partner with space or support when they need it most. Some of the physical PCOS symptoms such as facial hair, weight gain and acne can make them feel antisocial. If your partner is feeling low and doesn’t want to go out, react with kindness. Reassure her and be ready to listen when she’s feeling up to it.

Attend medical appointments with her

Your partner may see a range of medical practitioners, so ask if they would like you to go with them for support. As well as being there to keep them company, you’ll gain valuable insight. Remember to note down anything new you learn about PCOS treatment as well as jot down any new ways you can support your partner. If you know their medication plan, you’ll be able to help to remind them of what to take when. You’ll also be able to voice any concerns.

If you and your partner are trying for a baby, then it’s important to be open about discussing fertility issues

PCOS is a common cause of infertility, often women only discover they have PCOS when they are trying for a baby. Thankfully it’s treatable. It’s caused by the PCOS hormonal imbalance preventing ovulation. But women who have PCOS can feel isolated when they are trying to conceive, so make sure that you gently encourage open chats so that she doesn’t feel alone. PCOS and fertility /infertility are often talked about amongst PCOS support groups, where you’ll find other couples who are in the process of trying to conceive with PCOS. Your partner might benefit from chatting with another PCOS sufferer (or she might not — everyone is different!).

We hope that we’ve given you some ideas about how you can support your partner and help them to manage their PCOS symptoms. If you make lifestyle changes together, you’ll also benefit, as they all encourage good health!