Researchers have long suspected a link between polycystic ovary syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Learn why experts believe these conditions are related.

Researchers believe that insulin resistance may play a role in the link between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and type 2 diabetes.

Estimates of PCOS prevalence vary widely. The condition is reported to affect an estimated 2.2% to 26% of women worldwide.

This article looks at how PCOS and type 2 diabetes might be related and whether PCOS influences the development of diabetes.

Some theories suggest that insulin resistance can create an negative reaction involving the endocrine system and, in this way, can contribute to type 2 diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the cells of your body become resistant to insulin, when your body produces an unusual amount of insulin, or when both of these effects happen.

More than 38 million Americans have some form of diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

While type 2 diabetes is typically preventable or manageable through physical activity and an appropriate diet, a 2017 study suggests that PCOS is a strong independent risk factor for the development of diabetes.

In fact, women who experience PCOS in young adulthood have an elevated risk of developing diabetes and, potentially, fatal heart problems later in life.

In a 2014 study, researchers collected data from more than 8,000 women and found that those who had PCOS were 4 to 8.8 times more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those who did not have PCOS. Obesity was an important risk factor.

In an older 2001 study involving 30 premenopausal women with type 2 diabetes, about 27% of the participants also had PCOS.

A 2017 study of Danish women found that those with PCOS were four times as likely to develop type 2 diabetes. Women with PCOS also tended to receive a diabetes diagnosis 4 years earlier than women without PCOS.

Having recognized this connection, experts recommend that women with PCOS get screened for type 2 diabetes earlier and more often than women without PCOS.

Multiple studies have also shown that PCOS and its symptoms are frequently found in women who have type 1 diabetes.

Regular exercise is crucial for keeping your body healthy, especially if you’re living with type 2 diabetes or obesity. Exercise has also been shown to help with symptoms associated with PCOS.

Exercise can help regulate your blood sugar, help with weight management, and help your cells become more sensitive to insulin. Improved insulin sensitivity allows your body to use insulin more effectively, which is beneficial whether you have diabetes or PCOS.

A nutritious diet is also key to managing your weight and helping to reduce your risk of developing diabetes. If possible, make sure your diet includes a good balance of the following foods:

Specific treatments for diabetes and PCOS may complement or offset one another.

For instance, birth control pills can be used as a treatment for PCOS. They can help regulate menstruation and clear up acne in some cases. But some birth control pills may also increase your blood sugar levels, which can be a problem if you’re at risk of developing diabetes.

In these cases, a doctor may prescribe metformin (Glucophage, Glumetza), a first-line medication for type 2 diabetes, to help treat insulin resistance in PCOS.

PCOS can cause the following symptoms:

PCOS can also affect fertility, making it more difficult for you to become pregnant.

Often, healthcare professionals first suspect PCOS when they see multiple follicles in the ovaries during an ultrasound.

If you have PCOS or diabetes, you can talk with your doctor about which treatment options will work best for your situation.

Medications and certain lifestyle habits can help you manage one or both of these conditions.