Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that causes chronic hormone imbalance. And when hormones are out of balance, this increases the risk of:
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Hyperandrogenism (testosterone levels becoming too high compared to other hormones) and
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Ovulatory dysfunction (being unable to ovulate regularly or at all)
What makes PCOS so challenging to navigate is that it doesn’t look the same for everyone. Everyone’s body responds to these hormonal changes differently. Some people may have irregular periods, while others may struggle with acne, unexplained weight gain, or excessive hair growth (hirsutism).
Sometimes, symptoms are subtle or easily mistaken for other conditions, which only adds to the confusion… not to mention delays treatment.
But as doctors continue to learn more about PCOS, we now know that there are different types of PCOS, each one characterized by different hormone patterns and symptoms.
For patients, knowing their specific PCOS type is a turning point, allowing them to address their symptoms with targeted lifestyle, nutrition, and management strategies.
Take the What Type of PCOS Do I Have? Quiz
So if you’ve received a PCOS diagnosis (or maybe you’re just curious about your symptoms), take our PCOS Type Quiz to uncover which PCOS pattern most closely aligns with your symptoms and what you can do next to get the right support.
What Is PCOS, and Why Does It Have Different Types?
PCOS is a syndrome. This means it isn’t one single disease, but rather a collection of symptoms with varied root causes.
PCOS is typically diagnosed when someone experiences at least two of the following:
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Irregular or absent ovulation
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Elevated androgen levels (i.e., male hormones, like testosterone)
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Polycystic ovaries (i.e., the presence of multiple fluid-filled sacs or ‘follicles’ on the ovaries, which can only be detected by ultrasound)
Even when patients do have clear symptoms of PCOS, the way these symptoms develop (and why they develop) can differ dramatically from person to person.
For example, hormone imbalance due to PCOS may cause some patients to struggle with insulin resistance. This can lead to unexplained weight gain, sugar cravings, and fatigue.
Other PCOS patients may experience chronic low-grade inflammation, which can cause acne, skin issues (like eczema), and bloating. For some, PCOS symptoms arise after stopping hormonal birth control, while others may have adrenal-driven hormone challenges linked to stress.
These underlying factors and symptoms form the basis of the four most commonly recognized PCOS types:
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Insulin-Resistant PCOS
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Inflammatory PCOS
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Post-Pill PCOS
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Adrenal PCOS
If you have PCOS, and you can identify which type of PCOS you’re most aligned with, you can make the very best health, well-being, and lifestyle choices to manage your symptoms.
Of course, a quiz like our Types of PCOS Quiz is helpful for getting some direction, but it’s not a substitute for a medical diagnosis. PCOS should always be managed under the care of your healthcare provider. And if you need even more personalized lifestyle support, a hormone health specialist (like the experts in our Hormone Health Clinic) can also help.
The Four Main PCOS Types
Understanding your PCOS type starts with knowing the key patterns experts have identified, based on common underlying hormone imbalances and triggers.
It’s important to note these four types are not official medical diagnoses, but rather a useful framework for helping PCOS patients personalize their care and lifestyle choices. You may even see some overlap between the types, which is completely normal. PCOS is more like a spectrum, and your symptoms may not fit neatly into one of the four boxes.
Insulin-Resistant PCOS
This is the most common type of PCOS. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. And if it stops working, the body produces more of it. If insulin levels are too high, the ovaries may produce excess androgens (like testosterone), which can disrupt ovulation and lead to a few uncomfortable symptoms.
Common signs of insulin-resistant PCOS:
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Sugar cravings or feeling shaky when hungry
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Weight gain, especially around the belly
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Fatigue or brain fog
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Dark skin pigmentation or patches
Common triggers: diets high in refined carbs and sugar, sedentary lifestyle, unmanaged stress.
Inflammatory PCOS
Chronic inflammation due to PCOS can interfere with ovulation and raise androgen levels. This type of PCOS often overlaps with other health conditions, like autoimmune disorders and/or digestive issues (such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome - IBS)
Common signs of inflammatory PCOS include:
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Acne or skin conditions like eczema
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Bloating or IBS-like symptoms
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Unexplained fatigue
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Joint pain or frequent illness
Common triggers: food sensitivities, environmental toxins, poor gut health, chronic stress.
Post-Pill PCOS
This type of PCOS can occur after you stop taking hormonal birth control, especially birth controls that suppress androgens. After stopping the pill, your body may temporarily overproduce androgens, which can mimic symptoms of PCOS.
Common signs of post-pill PCOS include:
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Irregular or absent periods
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Breakouts, especially along the jawline
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Hair loss or shedding
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Excess hair growth on the face and body
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Oily skin
Common triggers: hormone fluctuations after pill withdrawal.
Adrenal PCOS
This lesser-known type of PCOS is driven by stress, rather than insulin resistance or inflammation. It is characterized by elevated DHEA-S (an androgen made by the adrenal glands), while other hormone levels may remain at their normal levels.
Common signs of adrenal PCOS include:
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High stress or anxiety
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Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
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Fatigue despite adequate rest
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Mild acne or hair issues, especially during stress
Common triggers: chronic stress, lack of rest, emotional trauma, and overtraining.
Take the PCOS Type Quiz
If your head is spinning trying to understand your PCOS diagnosis and/or symptoms, you are most certainly not alone.
That’s why we created this PCOS symptoms quiz as a practical, evidence-informed tool to help you:
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Identify your likely PCOS pattern and
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Begin exploring targeted strategies to help balance your hormones (and ease your symptoms).
This quiz should not be taken as an official PCOS or PCOS Type diagnosis. However, the results from your PCOS test online can empower you to ask better questions at your next doctor’s appointment or decide which lifestyle changes to prioritize first.
What to Expect
The PCOS self assessment takes just a few minutes to complete and includes questions about your:
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Menstrual cycle regularity
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Skin and hair changes
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Energy and mood patterns
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Reactions to food and stress
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Hormonal history (like birth control use)
Once you’ve completed the quiz, you will receive a summary of your likely PCOS type, with a personalized explanation and suggestions for what to do next.
Understanding Your PCOS Quiz Results
Once you complete the PCOS Type Quiz, you’ll receive a result pointing to one of the four common PCOS types. Or, in some cases, an inconclusive result if your symptoms don’t strongly match any single category.
This section breaks down what each result means, along with the next steps you can take straight away to start feeling more in control of your body and hormonal health.
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4 Types of PCOS Quiz: What Your Results Mean |
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Results indicate Insulin-Resistant PCOS |
If your results lean toward insulin-resistant PCOS, this suggests your symptoms may be tied to insulin resistance. This is the most common PCOS pattern, especially if you experience sugar cravings, weight gain, or energy crashes. What this result indicates: Your body may be struggling to use insulin effectively, which can elevate androgen levels and disrupt ovulation. What you can do next:
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Results indicate Inflammatory PCOS |
If your results lean towards inflammatory PCOS, this suggests your symptoms point toward chronic inflammation as a possible trigger for hormone imbalance. This is often seen among patients with fatigue, digestive issues, and/or skin problems. What this result indicates: Your immune system may be overactive, which may be interfering with hormone balance and ovulation. What you can do next:
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Results indicate Post-Pill PCOS |
If your results lean toward post-pill PCOS, this suggests your symptoms are related to stopping hormonal birth control. What this result indicates: Your body is likely adjusting to being off hormonal contraception, which can take some time. During this phase, you may experience irregular cycles or notice acne breakouts. What to do next: This type of PCOS is fairly common after stopping hormonal birth control, and it’s usually temporary. However, there are a few things you can do to stay on top of your hormones and symptoms:
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Results indicate Adrenal PCOS |
If your results lean toward Adrenal PCOS, this suggests stress may be disrupting your hormone balance. What this result indicates: Your adrenal glands may be overproducing androgens due to chronic or unmanaged stress. What you can do next:
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Results are inclusive |
If your results are inconclusive, this suggests your PCOS symptoms do not clearly match a single PCOS type. What this result indicates: You may have a mix of PCOS features, or you may need more testing to determine potential underlying triggers. What to do next:
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How to Manage Your PCOS Type After Taking the Different Types of PCOS Quiz
Managing your PCOS type is about learning what works for your body, and building healthy, sustainable habits that support hormone balance. Once you’ve identified your PCOS type, you can start focusing on the strategies that align best with the underlying root causes of your PCOS.
Lifestyle and Nutrition Tips by PCOS Type
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Managing Your PCOS Type |
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PCOS Type |
Lifestyle Tips |
Nutrition & Supplement Guidance |
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Insulin-Resistant PCOS |
Add strength training or brisk walking to improve insulin sensitivity. |
Prioritize low-glycemic, fiber-rich foods to stabilize blood sugar. Eat regular meals and avoid skipping breakfast. Try Mira’s PCOS supplements, which have the optimum ratio (40:1) of Myo and D-Chiro Inositol to promote cycle regularity. |
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Inflammatory PCOS |
Practice stress-reducing activities like yoga, gentle stretching, or nature walks. |
Incorporate anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, berries, fatty fish, and turmeric. Reduce exposure to processed foods, alcohol, and environmental toxins where possible. Support gut health with prebiotics, probiotics, and mindful eating. Try Mira’s PCOS supplements, which have the optimum ratio (40:1) of Myo and D-Chiro Inositol to promote cycle regularity. |
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Post-Pill PCOS |
Track ovulation patterns to see when your cycle begins to regulate. Be gentle with yourself; hormonal recalibration after the pill takes time. |
Focus on nutrient repletion, especially zinc, magnesium, and B vitamins. Try Mira’s PCOS supplements, which have the optimum ratio (40:1) of Myo and D-Chiro Inositol to promote cycle regularity. |
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Adrenal PCOS |
Focus on restorative routines like meditation, journaling, or grounding walks. Make sure you’re getting 7–9 hours of sleep and consistent meal timing. Avoid intense exercise or prolonged fasting, which can spike cortisol. |
Choose balanced meals with protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs. Avoid intense exercise or prolonged fasting, which can spike cortisol. Try Mira’s PCOS supplements, which have the optimum ratio (40:1) of Myo and D-Chiro Inositol to promote cycle regularity. |
Where to Get PCOS Support
Living with PCOS can feel so isolating. But you do not have to navigate it alone. Millions of women across the world struggle to navigate their PCOS journey, but with the right support, education, and tools, you can take back control of your hormone health.
Here are just a few strategies that can help.
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Explore our dedicated library of PCOS resources: We have an extensive library of resources dedicated to supporting you along your PCOS journey. Have a browse through these resources to learn more about what PCOS is, how it affects your hormones and overall health, and strategies for managing your symptoms.
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Start tracking your cycle, symptoms, and hormones: The more you know about what’s actually going on with your body, the better prepared you’ll be to get the right treatment and make the right lifestyle changes. For example, with Mira, you can measure your actual hormone concentrations in urine. This allows you to see how your hormones change alongside your PCOS symptoms, providing you with valuable insights to share with your doctor.
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Don’t be afraid to seek help: Talk openly about your symptoms with your healthcare provider, even if your symptoms feel small or disconnected. You can also receive specialized hormone, lifestyle, and emotional support in our Hormone Health Clinic throughout your PCOS journey.
Managing a PCOS diagnosis is not always straightforward. It takes small, informed steps (like tracking your cycle, learning your triggers, and building PCOS-friendly routines) to achieve meaningful change along your journey.
If you’d like to learn more about navigating PCOS with Mira, visit How does Mira work with PCOS?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which test is best for a PCOS diagnosis?
There is no single test for PCOS. Doctors typically make a PCOS diagnosis based on the Rotterdam criteria, which requires the presence of at least two of the following three symptoms:
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Irregular or absent ovulation
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Elevated androgens (tested with bloodwork)
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Polycystic ovaries (tested via ultrasound)
How do I know if I have PCOS without a medical test?
While a formal PCOS diagnosis requires a medical evaluation, you can also track certain symptoms at home (such as cycle length, skin and hair changes, weight shifts, and energy levels), which can give you some clues into what’s going on with your hormones. After a few cycles of tracking, you can take your observations to your doctor for further assessment and potential diagnosis.
Can you confirm you have PCOS with just a scan?
Not necessarily. An ultrasound is only one part of a PCOS diagnosis, and polycystic ovaries alone cannot confirm PCOS. It’s possible to have polycystic ovaries without having PCOS, and it’s also possible to have PCOS without polycystic ovaries. Blood testing and symptom tracking are just as important as an ultrasound when diagnosing PCOS.
