Can You Get PCOS After Having Kids? What the Research Says

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition that usually shows up in your teens or early twenties. The first signs are generally heavy, painful periods, acne, weight gain, hair loss, and ovarian cysts. If the symptoms go unaddressed once they’re identified, usually they worsen throughout your reproductive years. That said, the intensity of PCOS can vary a lot!

Some women, for example, will experience severe PCOS symptoms that can really diminish their quality of life. At the same time, other women may remain unaware of their condition for years, with non-existent or mild side effects. 

Some even wonder if it’s possible to develop PCOS after using birth control, suffering a miscarriage, or having kids, because that’s when they first noticed symptoms. I’ve answered a couple of those questions in other posts, but today I want to discuss whether pregnancy and giving birth can cause PCOS. 

Here’s the truth:

Can You Get PCOS After Having Kids? What the Research Says

No. Having kids isn’t the catalyst for anyone’s polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). That said, if you’re just now feeling the symptoms of PCOS or were recently diagnosed postpartum, I don’t want to undermine what you’re experiencing. Here’s what likely happened…

Chances are, you’ve always had PCOS. But for whatever reason, you didn’t experience symptoms intense enough to make you take action. Maybe you’ve lived a generally healthy lifestyle—with balanced eating habits, regular movement, and good sleep. As a result, this could’ve kept the root issues of PCOS at bay. When those foundations are solid, symptoms often stay minimal or even unnoticeable.

It’s also possible you were dealing with a milder presentation of PCOS. The condition varies so much from person to person! Your hormonal imbalances or insulin resistance may have simply been more moderate before kids. In that case, symptoms can be subtle and easy to overlook.

In any case, I know your next question: So why am I feeling PCOS now? Well, pregnancy is hard on the body. So much changes—not only hormonally, but also in how your body manages stress, blood sugar, inflammation, and recovery. Those shifts can reveal underlying PCOS patterns that weren’t as obvious before pregnancy.

Plus, you’re probably not caring for yourself in the same way you were before kids. Increased stress, broken sleep, higher caffeine intake—basically the staples of the newborn stage—all worsen the core drivers of PCOS. So PCOS didn’t suddenly appear; the conditions in your body simply changed, giving it the opportunity to take the spotlight and intensify symptoms. 

I’ve talked about the link between pregnancy, PCOS, and the postpartum stage before. If you’re interested (for now or in the future), make sure to check out: “Effects of PCOS on pregnancy” and “PCOS pregnancy tips!”

How Can Pregnancy Make PCOS Symptoms Worse?

• Increased insulin resistance: Pregnancy naturally raises insulin resistance to support fetal growth. This can trigger high blood pressure and blood sugar.
• Higher androgen levels: Pregnancy can shift hormone production in ways that increase androgens (male sex hormones) for some women. Like lowering SHBG levels, fluctuating progesterone, and increasing cortisol. 
• Inflammation spikes: Pregnancy is a pro-inflammatory state, meaning your body is operating with higher baseline inflammation to support the massive changes happening inside you.
• Changes in cholesterol levels: Cholesterol and triglycerides naturally rise during pregnancy. For some women, this means higher LDL and triglycerides and lower HDL, which can worsen metabolic PCOS patterns.
• Greater cortisol output: All the physical stress, broken sleep, and recovery that comes with having a baby can send your cortisol levels sky-high, which can make insulin resistance and inflammation even worse.
• Thyroid fluctuations: During pregnancy and postpartum, shifts in estrogen, progesterone, and immune activity can temporarily disrupt thyroid hormone production.

What Happens When You Have PCOS After Having Kids?

If you’re unsure if what you’re seeing postpartum is PCOS, I want to help. It’s true that most women, regardless of health status, say their bodies are never the same after pregnancy. But, if you’re dealing with the following symptoms, it may be wise to get your hormone levels checked and talk with your doctor about PCOS.

Irregular Menstrual Cycles

Because of the increased androgens (male hormones), you may notice irregular periods and ovulation cycles. Not only is the timing irregular, but often the symptoms are intensified. Think heavier flow, worsened cramps, heightened pelvic pain, more fatigue, insatiable cravings… you get the idea. Here’s more on what periods are like with PCOS, for more signs to look out for.

Increased Fatigue

Of course, caring for a baby on its own will leave anyone feeling more tired. However, there are real physiological changes that can trigger extreme daytime sleepiness. Increased insulin resistance can cause blood sugar to swing up and down, leading to sudden energy crashes.

At the same time, elevated cortisol disrupts restorative sleep and overworks the adrenal system. And on top of that, thyroid shifts can slow down your metabolism, reducing the body’s ability to produce steady energy.

So yes, feeling a little more tired is normal—but you shouldn’t be falling asleep in the middle of conversations or nodding off at stoplights. That level of exhaustion is definitely cause for concern.

Stubborn Weight Gain

Of course, every woman gains weight during pregnancy. How much is considered normal depends on your body mass index (BMI), but most women gain somewhere between 15 and 35 pounds. And with the chaos of parenthood, those pounds aren’t going to melt off in a month or two. That said, you shouldn’t continue gaining a significant amount of weight after pregnancy.

If you notice the scale keeps climbing, and losing weight feels impossible despite your best efforts, you may be dealing with PCOS. High insulin levels, thyroid dysfunction, and chronic inflammation can all work against you. This not only affects your body image and overall health, but it also increases the risk of long-term complications like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. It’s definitely not a symptom to brush off as a normal part of motherhood.

Hair Changes

PCOS affects sex hormones, as I’ve discussed. Androgens like testosterone are often elevated—and can spike even higher after pregnancy. Those excess male hormones stimulate hair follicles on your face and body. This can inevitably lead to excessive hair growth on the chest, upper lip, jawline, chin, stomach, and even the back.

Meanwhile, the same androgens shrink hair follicles on the scalp. This causes female-pattern hair thinning, which shows up as shedding around the crown, widening part lines, and overall hair loss. It’s not a fun combination. And while temporary hair changes can happen during pregnancy and shortly after birth, it’s uncommon for the issue to persist for months or years. When it does, PCOS is a much more likely explanation.

Acne Flare-Ups

Acne is another result of high androgen levels. These male hormones prompt the sebaceous glands to produce more oil while chronic inflammation makes pores more reactive. The combination leads to oily skin, clogged pores, and breakouts. So, if you’re feeling like a teenager again with hormonal acne after having kids, it may be a sign of PCOS. 

Persistent Mood Swings

Again, mood swings are pretty normal during and after pregnancy. However, the baby blues should resolve within 2–6 weeks postpartum. If you have underlying PCOS, those emotional ups and downs may continue long after your kids get older and pregnancy is behind you. There are a few reasons for this.

First, elevated androgens can interfere with neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which directly influence mood. High cortisol output also disrupts how the brain communicates with the rest of the body, increasing irritability and emotional dysregulation.

On top of that, thyroid changes can play a major role. If your thyroid slows down (hypothyroidism), the brain doesn’t get a steady energy supply. This leads to depression, irritability, and difficulty concentrating. If your thyroid speeds up (hyperthyroidism), the excess stimulation can leave you feeling overstimulated, anxious, and emotionally volatile. 

If any of this sounds familiar, you could be dealing with PCOS.

Frequent Headaches and Body Aches

I’ve talked a lot about how PCOS-related hormone levels can trigger symptoms. However, inflammation from PCOS can cause its own set of unpleasant side effects! Chronic inflammation increases pain sensitivity, while high cortisol tightens muscles, raises tension, disrupts sleep, and contributes to headaches. 

Blood sugar swings and thyroid fluctuations can also make headaches, joint stiffness, and muscle pain more common. All of this can be so hard to deal with when trying to raise a family! And I can’t emphasize this enough: any chronic pain after having kids is not normal. Whether it’s due to PCOS or something else, it’s definitely something you should look into.

Secondary Infertility

Here’s a big one. Maybe conceiving your first child wasn’t very difficult, but now you’re struggling to get pregnant again. If underlying PCOS has surfaced postpartum, you’re no longer working with the same reproductive conditions you had the first time around.

Insulin resistance and irregular hormone levels can make ovulation unpredictable—or stop it altogether. They can reduce egg quality, thicken the uterine lining (making implantation harder), and interfere with healthy embryo development. This is why so many women with PCOS struggle with conception and miscarriage.

Just because baby number one came easily doesn’t mean PCOS isn’t in the picture. With so many hormonal changes happening postpartum, it’s worth talking to your doctor about the possibility of PCOS if you’re dealing with secondary infertility alongside other symptoms on this list.

How to Manage PCOS After Having Kids

If you were relatively symptom-free with PCOS prior to pregnancy (so much so you didn’t even know you had it!), don’t get discouraged. You can totally get back to feeling like yourself again! There’s no quick cure for PCOS, but it’s not a life sentence. Once you address the underlying dysfunctions triggering your symptoms? You can reverse your PCOS patterns and regain your energy, confidence, and sense of normalcy.

Of course, this doesn’t happen overnight. It takes a series of small, sustainable lifestyle changes that, when combined, can make a tremendous difference in your health. And yes—any change feels harder when you’re a mom. That’s why today I want to share ways to manage your PCOS with your whole family. These are simple steps you can all take together to build a healthier future—hopefully a future free of PCOS symptoms!

Here’s what you can do together:

Get the whole family on a PCOS-friendly diet.

One of the best ways to balance hormones, reduce inflammation, and lower insulin resistance is by eating well. I recommend a gluten- and dairy-free anti-inflammatory diet for the whole family. Chances are, you already care about helping your kids eat a healthy diet. That said, why not plan meals that support their growth and your PCOS healing at the same time?

And, no, this way of eating isn’t restrictive or “non-kid-friendly.” What kid wouldn’t love air fryer chicken nuggets, frozen yogurt bark, chocolate waffles, or sloppy joes? All of those recipes (and so many more!) are inside The Cysterhood app. Every meal and snack is built around nutrient-dense whole ingredients, plenty of fiber, high-quality protein, and healthy fats.

Not to mention, each recipe is full of flavors your family will actually enjoy. Plus, the app includes a built-in meal planner to make feeding a busy household so much easier.

To help your family shift toward a PCOS-friendly way of eating, try these tips:

• Start with simple, balanced meals with plenty of protein and other nutrients. 
• Keep kid-approved recipes on rotation so nothing feels restrictive. 
• Swap in gluten and dairy alternatives that still taste familiar and comforting.
• Stock up on PCOS-friendly snacks your whole family will love. 
• Batch-cook or meal–prep to avoid grabbing fast food or low-nutrient quick meals. 
• Let kids help in the kitchen to spark curiosity and buy-in around new foods. 
• Drink more water together and remove caffeine and sugary juices from the home. 
• Use The Cysterhood meal planner for easy planning and accountability.  

Create a personalized supplement plan for each person.

Supplements can be beneficial for almost anyone—kids included! Even if you follow The Cysterhood meal plans perfectly, it’s still unlikely you’ll meet every daily vitamin and mineral recommendation. It’s just too challenging with real-life schedules and picky eaters. That’s where supplements can help support your symptoms by promoting better hormone balance, reducing inflammation, and improving insulin sensitivity.

For you, I recommend following this PCOS supplement routine. This includes science-backed options like Inositol Complete 40:1, Berberine Advanced, a high-quality multivitamin, curcumin, omega-3s, and CoQ10. Ease into the routine instead of starting everything at once, and give your body time to respond and your symptoms time to improve.

For your kids, talk to their pediatrician about adding a multivitamin and omega-3 supplement. Both can support healthy growth, brain development, and overall wellness—while also helping them build good self-care habits early on. Also, I recommend avoiding gummy vitamins since they’re not very bioavailable! Liquid formulas and chewable tablets, however, are great kid-friendly alternatives.

Set up daily movement and playtime with the kids.

Exercise can help with all three root issues of PCOS. As physical activity increases your body’s demand for glucose, insulin resistance goes down. When insulin stabilizes, the ovaries produce less testosterone, creating a positive chain reaction for overall hormone balance. Your muscles also release myokines during exercise—compounds that actively reduce inflammation. All good things!

But with PCOS, you want to avoid high-intensity exercise that spikes cortisol and throws hormones even further out of whack. Skip workouts like HIIT, bootcamp-style classes, long-distance running, kickboxing, and CrossFit—who has time for those with kids anyway, right? Instead, try weaving PCOS-friendly movement into your day in a way that feels natural and sustainable.

Here’s how you can do it:

• Take family walks after meals to help lower blood sugar and support digestion.
• Have daily dance parties with your kids for gentle cardio that feels fun, not stressful.
• Stretch together before bedtime to calm the nervous system and model good movement habits.
• Turn playground time into movement time by walking laps, doing light strength exercises, or staying active instead of sitting on the sidelines.
• Choose weekend activities that get everyone moving, like hiking, biking, swimming, or exploring a local park.
• Do slow-weighted workouts when the kids are asleep (light dumbbells, resistance bands, or bodyweight training) to build muscle without spiking cortisol. You can find routines on The Cysterhood app! 

Prioritize healthy sleep routines for everyone.

Factors like hormone balance and metabolic health depend heavily on good-quality sleep. And trust me, I know that getting enough rest with kids can be a challenge! However, establishing healthy sleep habits is one of the best things you can do for your PCOS symptoms. When your family prioritizes sleep too, you may notice fewer tantrums, better focus at school, stronger immune systems, and overall calmer days.

These are some steps you can take as a family to improve sleep hygiene:

• Create consistent bedtimes and wake times for everyone, even on weekends.
• Establish a calming nighttime routine—bath, books, stretching, or quiet play.
• Limit screens for at least an hour before bed to prevent melatonin disruption.
• Dim the lights in the evening to signal to the brain that it’s time to wind down.
• Keep bedrooms cool, dark, and quiet to support deeper, higher-quality sleep.
• Model healthy sleep habits yourself and show that rest is a family priority.

Here’s more on how to sleep better with PCOS. 

Build stress-relieving activities into your daily routine.

Women with PCOS tend to have higher baseline cortisol levels to begin with—but after having kids? That number goes through the roof. And when cortisol stays elevated, it can worsen hormone imbalance, increase insulin resistance, and drive inflammation. Essentially, your body stays stuck in “emergency mode,” making it nearly impossible to heal or achieve consistent symptom relief.

Relieving stress is essential for PCOS healing. It may even be one of the biggest factors behind your symptom flare after having kids! So taking steps as a family to reduce chaos, manage stress, and process emotions in healthy ways can make a huge difference.

This is what I recommend for families:

• Create predictable routines for mornings, meals, and bedtime to reduce daily chaos.
• Build in quiet time each day—reading, coloring, puzzles, or simply resting together.
• Practice deep breathing or mindfulness as a family to calm the nervous system.
• Get outside daily for fresh air, sunlight, and grounding movement.
• Limit overstimulation by reducing noise, clutter, and excessive screen time.
• Cut down on the commitments—it’s not healthy to say yes to everything. 

Remove and replace endocrine-disrupting chemicals in the home.

Endocrine disruptors are chemicals found in everyday products that interfere with your body’s hormones. They can mimic, block, or change the way your hormones work, making imbalances even worse. This is especially challenging for women with PCOS, who already struggle with hormone regulation. Nonetheless, these chemicals aren’t good for anyone else in your family either.

Research shows that endocrine disruptors can affect brain development, alter metabolism, disrupt puberty timing, weaken the immune system, and increase inflammation in kids. So for your health and your family’s long-term well-being, it’s worth replacing as many endocrine-disrupting products as possible.

I have a whole podcast episode on how to remove endocrine disruptors from your home! However, here are some things you can do right now:

• Swap plastic for glass or stainless steel when storing food or drinks.
• Choose fragrance-free or naturally scented products to avoid phthalates in artificial fragrances.
• Use cleaner cleaning products or DIY options like vinegar, baking soda, and castile soap.
• Open windows daily to reduce indoor air pollutants and improve ventilation.
• Vacuum and dust regularly—many endocrine disruptors collect in household dust.
• Filter your drinking water, especially if your area has PFAS or heavy metals in the supply.

You can’t get PCOS after kids, but you may uncover it!

Discovering you have PCOS can feel overwhelming, but it can also be empowering! Once you know why you’re having symptoms and can name the cause, you can finally take steps to get your life back. PCOS includes so many different symptoms and root causes, but with the right lifestyle shifts? You and your family can work together to balance your hormones, ease inflammation, and live symptom-free with PCOS

If you want more guidance, recipes, science-backed strategies, and step-by-step support, head to the PCOS Weight Loss blog. You’ll find everything you need to continue healing—one small habit at a time!