iCliniq Logo
HomeAnswersObstetrics and Gynecologypolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Can PCOS/PMOS cause delayed periods?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I was diagnosed with PCOS/PMOS last year, but for the past five months, I have not been on contraceptive pills. I had sexual intercourse with, but without penetration. I also took unwanted 72 as a precaution and had bleeding after 10 days. I have not gotten my period yet.

I have gained a lot of weight. Am I pregnant?

Kindly help.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

By history, I cannot predict the chances of pregnancy. As you had bleeding after having an unwanted 72, your chances of pregnancy are nearly zero. As you mentioned, the additional pad of fat may have aggravated the hormonal imbalance, which is already out of balance due to PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome)/PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome), and to add on your dose of emergency pill.

PCOS/PMOS is a congenital condition. It is a genetically programmed condition; you get it from your parents. When you suddenly put on weight, this cholesterol is converted into the estrogen hormone. In your body, too, when fat, which is a store for tomorrow, is more than normal, this is converted to the hormone that tips the balance between FSH (from the brain) and the ovarian hormone. FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone), as the name suggests, stimulates the follicle from the ovary, but once the follicle is big enough to ovulate, the FSH is suppressed by the same estrogen hormone from the ovary. But when the same estrogen hormone is coming from fat, the brain is confused, and follicle growth stops early at a smaller follicle size and will not rupture, next scan you will see all these follicles as PCOS/PMOS.

This is usually associated with obesity, irregular cycles, no periods for a few months, and later heavy periods with clots and fleshy masses, spotting on and off, thyroid abnormality, and prolactin problem indirectly. You develop that extra pad of fat around the mid-segment of the body, especially the waist, thighs, and breasts, with no fat beyond the elbow and knees.

Excessive body hair growth, hair fall, a dark shade over the lower half of the face, acne, oily face skin, black skin over the back of the neck, inner thighs, and under the surface of the breast. May have a family history of diabetes, especially the father or his family. This will not allow ovulation to occur at any time, and so you cannot get pregnant till treated. It also increases your chances of early pregnancy abortions.

Once you reduce your weight to the normal range, you will not need any medicine to get periods or to get pregnant, and pregnancy will be healthy. I suggest you follow a few things mentioned below.

  1. Avoid junk food.
  2. Have low-calorie, high-protein food.
  3. Regular exercise.

To confirm that you are not pregnant, have a home urine pregnancy test with an early morning sample. Once confirmed negative, have any of the oral combined contraceptives.

I hope this has helped you. Thank you.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At July 15, 2023
Reviewed AtMay 26, 2026

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Listen to related tracks in our music library

Ask your health query to a doctor online

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.