Polycystic ovary syndrome or PCOS. it does not follow a simple “one gene = one condition” rule. Rather, it is multigenic and multifactorial, meaning you likely inherit a susceptibility, not a guarantee.
Studies show that approx 40% of women with PCOS have a first-degree relative (mother or sister) who also has PCOS or androgen excess disorder.
Consider this particularly striking shape: If your sister has PCOS, your risk is about 40%, but if your mother has PCOS, the rate among daughters is often a little lower, perhaps because mothers may have undiagnosed or milder forms or because the expression of the condition changes with age.
This genetic predisposition may revolve around how your body handles insulin, hormone receptors, or inflammation responses. Add environment (diet, stress, sedentary lifestyle) and triggers (e.g. weight gain, changes in puberty) and the equation advises the expression of PCOS.
You don’t “catch” PCOS like a cold, you can run the risk and when your internal and external environments are misaligned, PCOS symptoms appear.
READ MORE | Insulin resistance could affect your fertility
Family stories
It is not always obvious from family history who has or had PCOS, why the phenotype (how PCOS appears) can vary widely.
Some women have mainly metabolic symptoms (insulin resistance, weight gain), others more skin or hair or menstrual disorders.
A woman may be predisposed to PCOS but never diagnosed because she had mild symptoms or found ways to compensate.
Older female relatives may have gone through menopause or past reproductive age without evaluation. They may have had irregular cycles or acne years ago, but the diagnostic criteria were different or medical access was limited.
In some studies, a mother may not report PCOS even if the daughter has it, this may reflect underdiagnosis or different awareness.
Blame it on the sugar
While genetics sets the stage for PCOS, non-genetic (environmental and lifestyle) factors often trigger and sometimes add fuel to the hormonal fire.
For example, over 50-70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance, but this number increases even more in women who lead a sedentary lifestyle, eat high glycemic diets, or experience chronic stress.
A 2020 study found that women with PCOS who had a poor diet (high in refined carbohydrates and trans fat) had three times greater symptom severity than those who followed a balanced, high-fiber, anti-inflammatory diet.
Stress is another hidden culprit: Chronic spikes in cortisol can worsen androgen production and disrupt ovulation. Even sleep plays a role, women with PCOS and poor sleep habits are more likely to experience worsening metabolic symptoms and higher levels of inflammation.
Add in endocrine disruptors (like BPA in plastics or some cosmetics) and your hormones may be working overtime just to stay semi-balanced. The bottom line is, your genes may be loading the gun, but lifestyle often pulls the trigger, which means there’s a lot you can do to take control.
Supplements that support hormones
Supplements containing myo-inositol have become a secret weapon in the PCOS toolbox and not only because they are fashionable.
Myo-inositol is a natural compound that helps your body respond better to insulin and this is very important as up to 70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance in the background.
Think of it as a hormone circulation controllerwhen it does its job, your insulin and blood sugar flow smoothly. When it’s not wreaking havoc on irregular cycles, acne, hair growth in odd places and stubborn weight gain.
Studies have shown that taking 4,000 mg of myo-inositol daily (as it contains Lamelle Pharmaceuticals, Ovaria) can help restore ovulation, regulate periods and even improve egg quality, often within 3 months.
On the other hand, failing to support like this can let insulin resistance quietly worsen, which can push you further down the metabolic rabbit hole (hello, pre-diabetes, fatigue, even infertility).
Smooth operator
If you’ve outgrown the ‘sips and grimaces’ routine, why not turn your daily dose into something a little tastier like a smoothie?
Myo-inositol powders like Ovaria (which have delicious peach and orange flavors) mix beautifully into a nutrient-packed shake.
Try this – toss in half a frozen banana, a handful of spinach, half a cup of berries, a tablespoon of chia seeds, a scoop of plain Greek yogurt or your favorite plant-based alternative, and a cup of unsweetened almond milk.
Add your Ovaria sachet (or even half of each flavor for a fruity refresh), mix it up, and you’ve got a hormone-friendly, blood sugar-balancing treat that feels more like self-care than a supplement.
PCOS isn’t just about the genes you inherit, it’s a mix of family history and lifestyle choices you make every day Think of it as a recipe, your DNA gives you the ingredients, but how you cook it (diet, sleep, stress, exercise) determines the final dish.
The good news? Unlike those family genes, your lifestyle is completely in your control. Adding smart supplements with the optimal daily dose of myo-inositol can be the game changer your hormones have been waiting for.
As Dr. Bradley Wagemaker. “Understanding your risk empowers you to take charge, PCOS doesn’t have to write your story.” Here’s to combining science, self-care, and a little sweetness for a healthier, happier you!
Author: Pedro van Gaalen
When he’s not writing about sports or health and fitness, Pedro is most likely out training for his next marathon or ultramarathon. She has worked as a fitness professional and as a marketing and comms specialist. He now combines his passions in his role as managing editor at Fitness magazine.
