Periods, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and heart health – Data

March 2022: More details about the information presented in the below tables are included in the study update on Periods, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and heart health.

Table 1: Time to menstrual cycle regularity, by polycystic ovarian syndrome diagnosis status

Time to a regular cycle Participants without PCOS Participants with PCOS
0-1 years 44.0% 26.3%
1-2 years 22.1% 12.6%
3-4 years 6.8% 4.2%
5 years or above 5.4% 7.9%
After using hormones 13.3% 25.0%
Never regular 8.4% 24.0%

Table 1 presents data from approximately 30,000 participants that responded to the Medical History and Reproductive History surveys at least once through December 2021 and answered questions about their menstrual cycle over time. PCOS diagnosis status was determined by self-report through the Medical History survey.

Table 2: Prevalence of conditions related to heart health, by polycystic ovarian syndrome diagnosis status

Condition related to heart health Participants without PCOS Participants with PCOS
Pre-diabetic conditions 6.1% 23.3%
Type 2 diabetes 2.3% 6.7%
High cholesterol 11.6% 19.0%
High blood pressure 10.7% 17.7%
Obesity (BMI > 30) 34.4% 60.5%

Table 2 presents data from more than 37,000 participants that responded to the Medical History survey at least once through December 2021. PCOS diagnosis status was determined by self-report through the Medical History survey. Obesity is defined as having a BMI > 30kg/m2.

More information: Periods, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and heart health.

Periods, PCOS, and heart health

Survey data shared by study participants is helping researchers understand the relationship between persistent abnormal periods, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and heart health.

Research effort you can join

Your participation in the Apple Women’s Health Study will enable innovative research that would have been impossible before now.

Meet the team

The principal investigators of the Apple Women's Health Study have unparalleled expertise in reproductive epidemiology and women’s health.