PCOS: Symptoms, Testing And Treatment From An Online GP

Irregular periods, acne that never quite settled after your teens, hair growing where you do not want it, weight that gathers around the middle no matter what you do. Individually these are easy to dismiss. Together they form a pattern that many women carry for years before anyone joins the dots: polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, which affects around 1 in 10 women in the UK. Getting assessed is straightforward, and an online GP can take a proper history, arrange the right blood tests and scans, and start treatment the same day. At The Online GP by The Wellness, consultations are with UK-registered doctors, seven days a week.

What is PCOS?

PCOS is a common hormone condition affecting how the ovaries work. Despite the name, you do not need cysts on your ovaries to have it. Doctors diagnose PCOS when at least two of three features are present: irregular or absent ovulation (usually showing up as irregular or infrequent periods), higher levels of androgens (male-type hormones, causing acne, excess hair growth or scalp hair thinning), and a polycystic appearance of the ovaries on ultrasound. PCOS also travels with insulin resistance, which is why weight gain around the middle, sugar cravings and higher long-term risks of type 2 diabetes are part of the picture.

Symptoms that suggest an assessment

The pattern that deserves testing is irregular or infrequent periods, especially fewer than about nine a year, plus signs of higher androgens: persistent acne, excess hair on the face, chest or abdomen, or thinning hair at the temples and crown. Weight gain that resists the usual effort, difficulty conceiving, and darkened velvety skin patches at the neck or armpits are also part of the picture. You do not need every symptom for an assessment to be worthwhile.

Why a proper diagnosis matters

PCOS is manageable, but only once it is named. Untreated, infrequent periods mean the womb lining is not being shed regularly, which over time raises the risk of the lining thickening, and the insulin resistance side of PCOS raises the long-term risk of type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. A proper assessment also rules out the other conditions that can mimic PCOS, such as thyroid problems and raised prolactin, which need different treatment. This is why guesswork and internet supplements are a poor substitute for blood tests.

How an online GP can help today

With The Online GP by The Wellness, you can speak to a doctor the same day. Your doctor will take a detailed history of your cycle, symptoms and goals, whether that is clearer skin, regular periods, weight, hair, or fertility. They will arrange the right blood tests, typically hormone levels, testosterone, thyroid function, prolactin and a glucose or HbA1c check, plus an ultrasound scan where needed, and bring everything together into a diagnosis and a plan. A phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150, and an in-person appointment at our Marylebone clinic is £220. Not sure whether your symptoms fit? Message us on WhatsApp for a free triage and we will point you to the right next step.

Treatment your doctor may discuss

For irregular periods and skin symptoms. The combined contraceptive pill regulates the cycle and improves acne and excess hair for many women. Other options exist if the pill does not suit you, including cyclical progesterone to protect the womb lining.

For insulin resistance and weight. Metformin is commonly used and can help regulate cycles and support weight management alongside lifestyle changes. Your doctor will be honest about what it can and cannot do.

For fertility. If you are trying to conceive, your doctor can refer you for ovulation-induction treatment and specialist fertility input. Many women with PCOS conceive with the right support.

Lifestyle, done honestly. Modest weight loss, even 5% of body weight, can restore more regular cycles for women carrying extra weight. Your doctor will frame this as one tool among several, not a lecture.

What does a PCOS assessment cost?

With The Online GP by The Wellness, a phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150, and an in-person consultation is £220. Blood tests and ultrasound scans are priced separately and confirmed before anything is booked. Private walk-in clinics in London commonly charge £100 to £250 for the consultation alone before test costs.

Why choose The Online GP by The Wellness

Every consultation is with a UK-registered, GMC-registered doctor, not an automated questionnaire. Same-day appointments run seven days a week, blood tests and scans are arranged promptly with results explained properly, and the plan is built around your actual goal, whether that is skin, cycles, weight or fertility, with in-person examination at our Marylebone clinic whenever it helps. You can also read about what an online GP can prescribe.

To arrange an assessment, call 020 3951 3429, email team@thewellnesslondon.com or book an appointment online.

Frequently asked questions

Can an online GP diagnose PCOS?

Largely, yes. A doctor can take the full history and arrange the hormone blood tests and ultrasound scan needed for diagnosis by phone or video, then review the results with you and agree a plan. Any examination that would help is arranged in person.

Do I need cysts on my ovaries to have PCOS?

No. Despite the name, polycystic ovaries on a scan are only one of three possible features. You can be diagnosed with irregular ovulation plus raised androgen levels or their symptoms, with completely normal-looking ovaries.

Can PCOS be cured?

There is no cure, but it is very manageable. Treatment regulates periods, improves acne and excess hair, supports weight and fertility, and reduces the long-term risks. Many women find their symptoms ease substantially with the right plan.

Will losing weight fix my PCOS?

For women carrying extra weight, losing even 5% of body weight can restore more regular cycles and improve symptoms. It helps rather than fixes, and it is one tool alongside medical treatment, not a substitute for it.

Can I get pregnant with PCOS?

Most women with PCOS can conceive, many naturally, and others with ovulation-induction treatment or fertility support. An early assessment shortens the path, because treatment choices depend on whether pregnancy is a current goal.

How much does a PCOS consultation cost in London?

At The Online GP by The Wellness, a phone consultation is £59 for 15 minutes, a video consultation is £150 and an in-person appointment is £220. Blood tests and scans are priced separately and confirmed before booking.

This article is for information and does not replace personal medical advice. Written by The Wellness Team and medically reviewed by The Wellness Clinical Team. Last updated October 2026.