UK Women with PCOS Facing Widespread Failures in Care

Women in the UK living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) face long delays in diagnosis, inconsistent treatment, and a lack of support, according to a new parliamentary report that exposes systemic failures in women’s healthcare.

The inquiry, published by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on PCOS, found that more than a third of women with the condition waited over four years for a diagnosis. After being diagnosed, nearly 40% of patients said they were not given any resources or follow-up support.

PCOS affects around one in eight women of childbearing age in the UK. It is characterised by irregular periods, higher levels of androgens (which can cause excess facial or body hair), and enlarged ovaries containing multiple fluid-filled sacs. Beyond fertility issues, the condition is linked to long-term risks such as insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and mental health challenges.

Patients Left Unsupported

The APPG’s findings are based on evidence sessions, a survey of over 2,000 women with PCOS, and freedom of information requests to all 42 Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) in England. Only 3% of respondents felt supported by healthcare providers, while almost a third reported feeling dismissed or not taken seriously.

“PCOS affects one in eight women, yet it has been sidelined in policy, overlooked in funding, and misunderstood in practice,” said Michelle Welsh, Labour MP for Sherwood Forest and chair of the APPG. “If we are serious about improving women’s health, we must act now to break the cycle.”

Inequalities and Fragmented Care

The report also highlights stark inequalities. Women from Black and Asian backgrounds are up to 2.5 times more likely to be diagnosed with PCOS and are more likely to present with severe symptoms, including insulin resistance.

Dr Itunu Johnson-Sogbetun, GP and founder of the Royal College of GPs’ Women’s Health Special Interest Group, said:

“This report reflects what many of us with PCOS already know: care is fragmented, diagnosis is delayed, and long-term risks are too often ignored. PCOS is a multisystem condition, but the NHS often treats it narrowly as a fertility issue, overlooking its cardiovascular, metabolic, and psychological impacts.”

The absence of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) primary care guidelines for PCOS has created what campaigners describe as a “postcode lottery” of care, with access to diagnosis and treatment varying widely across the UK.

A Wider Failure in Women’s Health

Rachel Morman, chair of the PCOS charity Verity, said:

“While this inquiry is about PCOS, it is also a barometer for how we value women’s health across the system. For a condition affecting millions, and with major cost implications for the NHS if left unmanaged, this level of neglect is unacceptable.”

Government Response

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson acknowledged the failings, saying:

“Women suffering with gynaecological conditions, including PCOS, have been failed for far too long. That’s why we are turning the commitments in the Women’s Health Strategy into action, delivering millions of extra appointments, tackling gynaecology waiting lists, improving training for doctors, and updating guidance to improve PCOS care.”

Campaigners and clinicians say the report should mark a turning point, urging policymakers to implement national pathways, invest in research, and take women’s health concerns seriously.