Can You Develop PCOS After Pregnancy? Here’s What to Expect

Did you know pregnancy can actually change your DNA? It’s true! When you’re pregnant, your body goes through a ton of changes—some temporary; some permanent. (As someone who’s expecting, I can definitely vouch for all the crazy shifts!) Because pregnancy impacts hormones and metabolism, many women notice new postpartum symptoms that can look a lot like PCOS.

Some of these side effects that overlap with PCOS include irregular periods, weight gain, acne, excessive hair growth or loss, mood swings, cravings, and fatigue. Naturally, this makes a lot of women wonder: Did pregnancy actually trigger polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? I’ll answer that question today! And if you’re a pregnant Cyster curious about what your body might feel like postpartum, this post is for you, too.

Here’s what you need to know about pregnancy and PCOS:

Can You Develop PCOS After Pregnancy? What to Expect Postpartum

No. Pregnancy doesn’t directly cause PCOS. However, it can trigger new symptoms in women who didn’t even know they had the condition. Most Cysters notice signs of PCOS during puberty. But if your lifestyle naturally keeps insulin resistance and hormones in check, your symptoms may stay mild or hidden. 

Pregnancy, with its major hormonal and metabolic shifts, can sometimes bring these symptoms to the surface postpartum. It may simply reveal PCOS that was always there!

What Happens to PCOS Symptoms After Pregnancy?

Surprisingly, PCOS symptoms often improve postpartum. This is because pregnancy can act like a “hormone reset.” While your body focuses on supporting your baby via all the physiological changes, it indirectly masks underlying PCOS issues. 

For example, high estrogen and progesterone during and after pregnancy suppress male hormones like testosterone. This means you might actually notice relief from symptoms related to high androgens—like excess facial hair, acne, or irregular periods. For some, this even boosts fertility to conceive the next baby! As androgen levels decline, ovulation improves.

Regulated androgen levels can also have an indirect impact on blood sugar. Some, but not all, Cysters experience better insulin sensitivity during and after pregnancy due to improved hormonal balance. This can actually ease symptoms like sugar cravings, skin issues, and brain fog.

But don’t get too carried away—these improvements aren’t permanent. If the underlying PCOS issues aren’t addressed outside of pregnancy, symptoms are likely to return as your body gets back to “normal.” Also, it’s important to note that not every Cyster sees these temporary improvements postpartum. For many, symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, mood swings, and sleep disturbances can actually worsen. 

Additionally, women with PCOS are also more likely to experience a variety of pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes (GDM), preeclampsia, and pregnancy-induced hypertension. They’re also at increased risk of postpartum complications like hemorrhage, delayed return of cycles, persistent insulin resistance, or type 2 diabetes. All these can worsen symptoms and a Cyster’s overall quality of life.

Here’s more on how PCOS affects pregnancy. 

How to Manage PCOS Symptoms After Pregnancy

Prep PCOS-friendly meals.

They always tell you to maintain a “healthy diet” postpartum. But that’s easier said than done! It’s hard to remember to eat at all, let alone eat well. Still, what you eat plays a huge role in hormone balance and managing insulin resistance. Because of this, adopting a gluten- and dairy-free anti-inflammatory diet can make a real difference in how you feel. 

To get balanced meals on the table, prep as much as you can before the baby arrives. If your little one is already here, set aside an afternoon to cook and freeze a few PCOS-friendly meals. For inspiration, check out The Cysterhood app, which has hundreds of simple, delicious recipes. Download it today and use the built-in meal planner—it makes healthy eating so much easier!

Also, check out my posts, “PCOS Chicken Recipes Your Hormones Will Love” and “PCOS Breakfast Recipes for Symptom Relief.”

Keep healthy, quick bites close by. 

Whether you’re breastfeeding or simply struggling to eat three full meals, having healthy snack options within reach is essential. Life with a newborn is beyond hectic, and it’s easy to let balanced eating fall by the wayside. Quick, nourishing bites help you stay fueled, curb sugar cravings, and avoid skipping meals—even on the toughest days.

Need ideas? Here are some of my favorite PCOS-friendly snack ideas. 

Prioritize gentle, consistent movement. 

It can take 4-6 weeks (sometimes more) to fully recover from birth. During this time, it’s tempting to skip all physical activity, but gentle movement can actually help your body heal. 

Talk to your doctor about safe ways to incorporate light, consistent activity from the start. Doing so can support a smoother postpartum recovery, help regulate hormones, and set you up for long-term success in managing your PCOS symptoms.

Revisit your supplements with your doctor. 

During pregnancy, your doctor probably emphasized the importance of a prenatal vitamin. Postpartum, nutritional supplements are just as important! Ensuring you get the recommended daily vitamins and minerals is crucial to regulating hormone levels and fighting insulin resistance. 

And, since maintaining proper nutrition with a newborn can be a challenge (to say the least), supplements are game-changing! A consistent schedule helps give you the support you need to keep PCOS symptoms at bay.

Talk with your doctor about starting these key supplements:

• Ovasitol: supports insulin sensitivity and hormone balance
• Berberine: helps regulate blood sugar and metabolic function
• Multivitamin: fills in nutrient gaps and supports overall health
• Omega-3: supports heart, brain, and hormone health
• CoQ10: supports energy and reproductive health
• Curcumin: has anti-inflammatory benefits

You can get all these essential supplements on the Ovafit Shop!

Get as much sleep as you can.

I know, I know—telling a new mom to get more sleep is kind of ridiculous. So, I am not saying get 7-9 hours of great quality, uninterrupted sleep. We both know that won’t happen. That said, getting as much sleep as you can is really important. While we sleep, our bodies carry out essential functions that help keep hormone and insulin levels in check.

So, to manage symptoms of PCOS, I’m simply suggesting you get as much sleep as you can. Even if that means housework goes undone or you call a friend to babysit while you get a quick nap. As the baby gets older and establishes a solid sleep routine, don’t forget to continue prioritizing your whole sleep quality. It’s essential for true postpartum recovery.

Establish a strong support system. 

Speaking of calling a friend—a village really is everything when you’ve got a new baby. Sure, things like free babysitting, meal trains, and other tangible help are amazing. 

But even if your friends can only offer advice, encouragement, or a shoulder to cry on, that’s more than enough. Having people in your corner can help you get through the tough days, manage stress, and stay in a positive mindset.

Practice good stress management. 

Having a new baby can be stressful—and with stress comes elevated cortisol levels, high blood pressure, and increased inflammation. These factors can take a toll on your body and mind, potentially worsening PCOS symptoms like fatigue, mood swings, bloating, body aches, and weight gain. So, make an intentional self-care plan to keep stress levels low. 

Here are some suggestions for those postpartum months:

• Meditate or practice deep breathing—even while holding your little one
• Use noise-reducing earplugs to carve out quiet moments
• Take time for yourself with a shower, a short walk, or a quiet coffee
• Connect regularly with your support network
• Write down daily wins, even the small ones
• Diffuse calming essential oils like lavender or chamomile
• Limit screen time and social media to reduce mental clutter

Stay hydrated throughout the day. 

This one is important for so many reasons! If you’re breastfeeding, staying hydrated is essential for maintaining your milk supply. But it’s also a key player in managing PCOS symptoms. Drinking enough water gives your body the fuel it needs to function properly. Here’s what you’re really taking care of when you stay hydrated:

• Your liver and kidneys need water to flush out excess hormones
• Your metabolism relies on water to help stabilize blood sugar
• Your digestive system uses water to absorb nutrients efficiently

The bottom line? Drink plenty of water—it makes a bigger difference than you might think.

Get a pelvic floor therapy consultation. 

If you deal with a lot of PCOS-related pelvic or abdominal pain, this tip is for you. All the strain from pregnancy and delivery (whether C-section or vaginal) can damage your pelvic floor muscles. These muscle injuries can contribute to significant pain during periods, bowel movements, and sex. 

So, it’s a good idea to schedule a pelvic floor therapy consultation shortly after giving birth. A professional can assess whether there’s any muscle damage and help you prevent long-term pelvic floor pain. And, though you may have heard about doing Kegels, never start them without guidance from a physical therapist. Post-baby, muscles can be either too loose or too tight—doing Kegels at the wrong time can actually make things worse.

A pelvic floor specialist can create a personalized treatment plan (if needed) to help you heal properly and avoid chronic pain down the line.

Be aware of postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms.

If you have PCOS, you’re already at a higher risk for experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. After giving birth, those emotional ups and downs can intensify as your hormones shift dramatically. While postpartum mood swings aren’t totally uncommon, they should get better with time. It’s really important to recognize when what you’re feeling is more than the typical “baby blues.”

If you suspect you might be dealing with postpartum depression or anxiety, know that help is available—and you don’t have to go through it alone. Talk to your OBGYN or primary care provider if you’re experiencing any of the following:

• Persistent feelings of hopelessness or emptiness
• Loss of interest in your baby or daily life
• Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
• Intense anxiety or panic attacks
• Difficulty sleeping or eating due to worry or sadness
• Feeling detached from reality or unable to care for yourself or your child

I also go a little more in-depth about mental health and PCOS in “The Link Between PCOS, Depression, and Anxiety!”

Avoid caffeine even on days you’re really tired.

I know a caffeine fix is super tempting when you’ve been up all night with your baby or battling serious fatigue—but try to avoid it. Caffeine acts like liquid stress, raising your cortisol and adrenaline levels. It can also throw off other hormones and worsen PCOS symptoms like weight gain, mood swings, and even fatigue.

And, yes, caffeine can actually make you more tired. When you drink too much, your body’s demand for cortisol spikes, and your endocrine system can’t keep up. It’s called adrenal fatigue! This leaves you feeling sleepy rather than energized. Instead, try natural energy boosters like staying hydrated, moving your body with light exercise, and getting some sunshine.

Start tracking your cycle when your period returns. 

Tracking your cycle is a smart move for anyone with PCOS. Your menstrual cycle is a powerful indicator of overall health and symptom changes. As your period becomes more regular, it’s a clear sign that your efforts to balance hormones and improve insulin sensitivity are actually paying off. Plus, cycle tracking is how you do natural family planning, giving your body time to recover before the next baby.

Since your reproductive system essentially “resets” postpartum, it’s the perfect time to start tracking. Once your period returns, log it in a period-tracking app and consider tracking ovulation and symptoms, too. Over time, this will give you a comprehensive picture of your reproductive health.

Be patient and kind to yourself. 

This stage is hard. Usually much harder than people think! (Or, so I’ve heard. I’ll know firsthand in a few months.) Don’t pressure yourself to lose weight quickly, eat “perfectly,” or jump back on the resistance machine right away. Give yourself time. Be patient with your body and your recovery, and celebrate every win, no matter how small. You’re doing an amazing job!

Pregnancy doesn’t cause PCOS, but it can change things!

Remember: postpartum life with PCOS is a journey, not a race. Your body has done something incredible, and it deserves patience, care, and compassion. Focus on small, consistent steps, listen to what your body needs, and give yourself credit for every win along the way. You’ve got this.

For more guidance on how to naturally manage PCOS, browse the rest of the blog and listen twice a month to the A Cyster and Her Mister Podcast. To hear more about my own pregnancy journey, listen to the episodes called PCOS to Pregnancy: The Supplements, Diet, & Lifestyle Changes that Worked. 

And, whether you’re pregnant or planning for pregnancy, check out these posts next: