‍Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or manage any condition. Always speak with a doctor or qualified healthcare provider about any symptoms or health concerns.

If you’ve noticed symptoms that seem to overlap between POTS and PCOS, it’s understandable to wonder how the two might be connected.

Research shows there may be a connection between POTS and PCOS, mainly through changes in the part of the nervous system that controls heart rate and stress responses. 

In this guide, you’ll learn how these conditions overlap, which symptoms they share, and how understanding this relationship can help you prepare for conversations with your healthcare provider.

Is there a link between POTS and PCOS?

Yes, research shows that there could be a meaningful link between POTS and PCOS, mainly through changes in the autonomic nervous system. 

Both conditions are associated with increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s stress response. 

Studies also show that some people with PCOS have a faster heart rate when standing, similar to the pattern seen in POTS episodes. 

In a survey of 169 young women with POTS, 10 percent also had PCOS, and many reported symptoms often associated with PCOS, such as acne, irregular periods, and coarse dark hair growth.

How PCOS might affect POTS

PCOS may influence POTS symptoms because it is linked to changes in how the body handles insulin and controls heart rate and stress responses. These changes are connected to increased “fight or flight” activity, which is also linked to the fast heart rate some people experience when standing with POTS.

In one study, people with PCOS had a faster pulse when standing compared to lying down, without a major drop in blood pressure. This response is similar to the pattern seen in POTS and may help explain why some people experience overlapping symptoms.

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Shared symptoms between POTS and PCOS

Some people notice overlapping symptoms when living with both POTS and PCOS. These similarities appear in both physical symptoms and in how the nervous system functions. Here are the shared symptoms and features research has found:

Fatigue

Fatigue is very common in POTS and affects more than 90 percent of people in some studies. It was also reported as a frequent premenstrual symptom among those with POTS, which aligns with how hormonal changes can affect people with PCOS.

Acne

People with POTS in survey data reported acne as a common premenstrual symptom. Severe acne is also a recognized sign of higher reproductive hormone levels in PCOS.

Excess hair growth

Coarse dark hair growth was reported by 29.6 percent of people with POTS in one small survey. This is also a key clinical sign used when diagnosing PCOS.

Headaches or migraines

Around 40 percent of people with POTS report headaches, most often migraines. People with POTS have also noted headaches as a frequent premenstrual symptom, which can overlap with patterns of headaches experienced in PCOS.

Menstrual irregularities

About a third of people with POTS in a small survey reported inconsistent menstrual cycles, and many experienced symptom changes around their period. Irregular menstrual cycles are also one of the main ways PCOS is diagnosed.

Anxiety or mood changes

Anxiety is often experienced by people with POTS. Mood changes, such as irritability, were often reported before a period, which also overlaps with symptom presentation in PCOS.

Ovarian cysts

A small study reported that ovarian cysts were experienced by 21 percent of people with POTS. Ovarian cysts are also a common feature of PCOS.

Excessive sweating

Excessive sweating can occur in POTS due to changes in how the nervous system functions. It is also sometimes linked to hormone changes in PCOS.

These overlaps do not mean the conditions always occur together, but recognising them may help you understand patterns in your symptoms and discuss them more confidently with your healthcare provider.

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Managing POTS and PCOS together

Living with both POTS and PCOS can feel challenging because symptoms can overlap, change over time, and be hard to explain during medical appointments. Because both conditions affect the body’s stress response, it may help to talk with your healthcare provider about everyday habits that support overall stability.

Prioritise supportive aerobic activity

Gentle aerobic exercise that doesn’t involve standing upright has been studied in POTS and may help support heart rate and blood flow stability. Similar types of exercise have also been explored in PCOS and may support more balanced nervous system activity.

You can use the Human Health app to log exercise sessions and note how your symptoms respond over time.

Support hydration and salt intake with your healthcare provider

Hydration and salt intake are often discussed in the context of POTS to support blood volume. Because needs vary, it is important to check with your healthcare provider before making changes.

Consider compression

Waist-high compression garments may help reduce blood pooling when upright, which can support stability when standing.

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Look into sleep health

People with PCOS are more likely to experience sleep problems such as sleep apnea, which can affect how the body responds to stress. If you notice ongoing sleep issues, it may be helpful to raise them with your healthcare provider.

Discuss endocrine and metabolic support

Insulin resistance is common in PCOS and occurs when the body’s cells become less responsive to insulin, a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar. Over time, this can lead to higher insulin and glucose levels in the blood, which may affect energy levels, weight regulation, and hormone balance, as well as the body’s stress response.

Explore hormonal support

Some people with POTS notice that symptoms change around their menstrual cycle. In survey data, some people who used hormonal contraception for cycle-related changes reported improvement. Tracking these patterns in the Human Health app can help you bring clearer information to your appointments.

Understanding these shared patterns can help you prepare for more informed discussions with your healthcare provider and recognise how POTS and PCOS may interact in day-to-day life.

When should you see a doctor?

If you live with POTS, PCOS, or both, it is important to speak with a doctor if your symptoms are becoming harder to manage or begin to affect your daily activities. You should also seek medical advice if you notice new symptoms, changes in your menstrual cycle, or if your heart rate or lightheadedness feels different from what you usually experience. 

A doctor can help rule out other causes, review your overall health, and guide you through options that may be appropriate for your individual situation.

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Track hormonal triggers and POTS flares using the Human Health app

Symptoms in both POTS and PCOS may shift with hormones, sleep, stress, and daily routines, and keeping track of these changes can help you understand your own patterns more clearly.

The Human Health app lets you log symptoms, periods, and daily habits in one place so you can bring clearer, more organised information to your healthcare appointments.

If you want a simple way to understand what affects your symptoms and feel more prepared when speaking with your doctor, try the Human Health app. Tracking what you experience day to day can make a real difference in how confidently you navigate both conditions.

References

Raj SR, Fedorowski A, Sheldon RS. Diagnosis and management of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome. CMAJ. 2022;194(10):E378–E385. Doi: https://doi.org/10.1503/cmaj.211373

Bourne KM, Connolly SJ, Sheldon RS, Raj SR. The Long-Term Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome Outcomes Study. J Am Heart Assoc. 2025;14(15):e034567. doi:

https://doi.org/10.1161/JAHA.124.034567

Yıldırım BA, Ayhan S, Karaca Z, et al. Autonomic dysfunction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2015;83(3):434–441. doi:

https://doi.org/10.1111/cen.12745

Amirana M, Nivedita N, Ramesh S, et al. Characteristics of heart rate variability in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Diagn Res. 2018;12(9):CC01–CC05. doi:

https://doi.org/10.7860/JCDR/2018/36312.12023

Xiong Y, Zhang X, Li Y, et al. The role of the autonomic nervous system in polycystic ovary syndrome. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024;15:1295061. doi:

https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2023.1295061

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Disclaimer

The Human Health app is a health tracking platform and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information on this site is intended to support, not replace, conversations with your healthcare provider.