Written by Jessica Hobbis, BA (Hons). Reviewed by Dr. Phoebe Howells. 

Dr. Phoebe, a doctor since 2012, has over a decade of experience in Obstetrics and Gynaecology focusing on fertility. Her dedication led to a clinical fellowship in Reproductive Medicine at a top London fertility clinic, and she is now a Consultant at the London Women’s Clinic. She's authored articles, shared insights at global conferences, and contributed to fertility trials for women with adenomyosis. Phoebe's all about crafting tailored, evidence-based care and achieving the best results for struggling couples. Dr Phoebe works as Co-Chief Medical Officer at OVUM, where she leverages her clinical experience to shape OVUM’s medical direction.

Overview: 

• An outline of PCOS as a condition. 

• How AI may contribute to PCOS developments, particularly regarding improving the speed and accuracy of diagnosis. 

• The movement towards rebranding PCOS to incorporate a better understanding of the widespread impacts this condition can have. This goes beyond simply that of ‘polycystic ovaries’. 
  

• How the increasing use of GLP-1 RAs offers promising opportunities for addressing symptoms and related concerns in individuals with PCOS, but this needs to be treated with caution.
  
  

Introduction: a PCOS overview

PCOS is an incredibly common hormonal condition impacting an estimated 6-13% of reproductive-aged women. 

According to the NHS, PCOS is defined as suffering from at least two of the following symptoms: 

• Irregular Periods;

• Excess Androgen; and/or

• Polycystic Ovaries.

When this definition helps with focusing on the markers of PCOS, generally, the definition of this condition embodies a much broader description. A better understanding of PCOS is that which considers PCOS as a whole-body condition. This includes: wider hormonal imbalances, reproductive and cardiovascular health concerns, insulin resistance and a higher risk of obesity. 

For PCOS Awareness Month this September, we have pulled together three of the most promising developments in PCOS treatment and diagnosis that we have identified in the last year. 

1. How AI may contribute to PCOS developments

We have heard a lot recently about AI and its applications across various fields, but now we are finally seeing its potential use in the underfunded and underresearched women’s health sector being taken seriously. A recent systematic review by the National Institute of Health, which reviewed 31 studies (following a screening of 135 studies), did precisely this in the context of PCOS diagnosis. 

The researchers used AI tools to analyse data and consequently diagnose and classify PCOS. These tools work by teaching AI the patterns that are typical for those with PCOS, learning from examples such as ultrasound images, hormone levels, and symptoms. The AI then can look at new individual’s data and make a prediction. They found that AI was able to successfully detect PCOS, with an accuracy ranging from 80% to 90%. 

With PCOS being very common yet highly underdiagnosed, this represents a massive opportunity for AI to improve the speed and accuracy of this process. For example, a study of 1385 people with PCOS found that roughly 34% stated their time to diagnosis was over two years, and approximately 47% reported speaking to three or more healthcare professionals before receiving a diagnosis. Ultimately, this demonstrates that AI can help build a system that is better equipped to provide people with the information, care, and support they need. 

2. Do we need to change how we talk about PCOS? 

This year, the most extensive global consultation on perceptions of PCOS took place, conducted via online surveys and in-person workshops between 2015 and 2023. The researchers engaged with people with PCOS and healthcare professionals from six continents. 

There were some positive findings, including an improved recognition of the broad impacts that PCOS can have, including hormonal (such as elevated androgen levels) and cardiometabolic (such as higher risk of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes) impacts. However, it was noted that there was still considerable work to be done in filling these vast knowledge gaps. 

A potential pathway for improving the understanding of PCOS and its impacts, as highlighted by the researchers, was the renaming of the condition. This was explored throughout the 2023 survey, with over 85% of patients and 75% of healthcare professionals supporting this. A rebranding of the PCOS name to better encompass and address the various impacts this condition can have was therefore shown to be highly popular within the PCOS and healthcare communities. Thus, next year we may see a greater movement towards repositioning PCOS to encompass the complexity of this condition. 

While the initial study did not propose a new name for PCOS, further research and surveys have investigated potential alternatives. Potential names include: “Ovarian Dysmetabolic Syndrome”, “Metabolic Reproductive Syndrome” and “Hyperandrogenic Persistent Ovulatory Dysfunction Syndrome”. These aim to better frame the condition by highlighting the metabolic and hormonal impacts associated. Such work helps to create a system that better values and empowers those with the condition.

3. PCOS and GLP-1 Receptor Agonists 

Ozempic, Mounjaro, and other GLP-1 RAs have been a huge news subject for 2024. These medications mimic a natural gut hormone to aid in blood sugar control and appetite control. 

Note: ‘GLP-1’ is the naturally occurring hormone, whereas ‘GLP-1 RA (receptor agonists)’ refers to the medications that mimic this hormone. We often see media referring to such medications as simply ‘GLP-1s’, but for accuracy, throughout this article, we refer to these medications as ‘GLP-1 RAs’. 

While coverage and attention have predominantly focused on their use for weight loss and diabetes, there have been emerging studies analysing their potential use for PCOS patients. For example, a 2025 Meta-Analysis of RCTs (randomised controlled trials) found that combining GLP-1 RAs with typical PCOS treatment, such as lifestyle and diet interventions, was more effective than standalone typical PCOS treatment in reducing BMI and waist circumference. GLP-1 RAs have also been shown to have a range of benefits for those with PCOS, including lowering cardiovascular risk and total testosterone.  

PCOS is often associated with fertility concerns due to disrupted ovulation. A combination of common PCOS symptoms, including obesity and hormonal imbalances (in particular, elevated androgens), contributes to these concerns. Therefore, the use of GLP-1 RAs for weight loss and lowering androgen levels may restore ovulation and improve success rates for spontaneous conception and ART (assisted reproductive technologies). 

Such studies therefore offer real potential for PCOS-related symptoms and concerns such as cardiovascular health, weight management and fertility. However, while they provide promise, these medications have not yet been officially approved for any of the above and so must not be treated as a ‘silver bullet’. There are still a variety of factors that must be considered before this is rolled out as a treatment for some or all of those suffering from PCOS - including: appropriate lifestyle support and counselling alongside GLP-1 RAs, their wider safety, the long-term side effects, as well as the access and cost of such drugs. 

Takeaways

• AI has already demonstrated its use in improving the consistency and speed of PCOS diagnosis and classification. While currently its application has focused on this, it will be interesting to see how AI may be further applied to the treatment and management of the condition. By better understanding those diagnosed with PCOS, we may be able to see emerging patterns and target such treatments towards them. 

• Developing a definition of PCOS that captures the full spectrum of the condition and truly reflects the experiences of those living with it remains a pressing and highly debated topic. While there is consensus that the name itself needs to change to incorporate the complexity of the condition better, there is still no decision as to what this should be changed to. The final decision on renaming PCOS is expected by the end of 2026 (after all survey responses are reviewed), so there is still ongoing debate. We recommend following Monash Centre for Health Research & Implementation (MCHRI), which has created this renaming effort and research, as well as Professor Helena Teede, who is a leading expert in PCOS and is heading the project. 

• GLP-1 RAs are a significant topic of discussion within the medical community, and while their potential for managing PCOS is clear, we must ensure their safety and that there is appropriate evidence to support this use. It will be interesting to see how they may or may not be used in PCOS treatment over the next year, particularly with regard to PCOS concerns such as fertility issues.