Can PCOS be Inherited?

Participate in a Clinical Trial for PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that affects people assigned female at birth. While it primarily affects cis women of reproductive age, it can also affect trans men and nonbinary individuals assigned female at birth. PCOS causes significant imbalances in reproductive hormones, resulting in reduced fertility, weight gain, elevated androgens, and a high risk of insulin resistance.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is an endocrine disorder that causes multiple cysts on the ovaries caused by egg cells not properly maturing and being released into the fallopian tubes. The symptoms of PCOS are highly variable and can be different for different individuals, including irregular or absent periods, infertility, hirsutism, weight gain, male pattern baldness, oily skin, and acne.

Is PCOS Hereditary?

PCOS sometimes runs in families, but it can also appear in individuals with no family history of the disease. Studies on twins have established the heritability of PCOS to be around 70%, indicating that most PCOS risk stems from genetic factors. However, there are multiple possible pathways through which PCOS can develop, and an individual may have any number of these genes.

Genes Potentially Associated with PCOS

There are a variety of genes that show a correlation with PCOS, including the androgen receptor gene, follicular stimulating hormone receptor, fat mass obesity gene, CAPN10 gene, and various aromatase genes. While there is currently no “genetic test for PCOS,” as more research is done, it is possible that individuals with PCOS may be tested for certain genes to determine the specific cause of their PCOS and develop more personalized treatments.

PCOS and Other Health Problems

PCOS is strongly associated with insulin resistance, and people with PCOS are at higher risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, NAFLD, depression, and endometrial hyperplasia/cancer. Managing PCOS can reduce your risk of developing these other conditions as well as increase your chances of successful conception and pregnancy and reduce symptoms associated with PCOS.

When to See a Doctor

If you have symptoms of PCOS or a family history of the disease, you should talk to your doctor. While there is no one approved genetic test for PCOS, testing for specific genes that may affect the way it manifests might allow for more personalized treatments in the future. PCOS cannot be cured, but it can be managed and treated.