NewDocLog in

PCOS Management Online

PCOS affects roughly 1 in 10 Australian women and presents differently in each person. A NewDoc GP can take a history, arrange relevant blood tests, and discuss management with you.

Can a telehealth GP help with PCOS?

Yes. An AHPRA-registered GP at NewDoc can assess PCOS by video, order the blood tests needed to confirm the diagnosis under Rotterdam criteria (testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin, fasting glucose and insulin, thyroid, lipids), arrange a pelvic ultrasound, prescribe medication, and create a GP Management Plan for ongoing care.

For specialist input, your GP can refer you to an endocrinologist or gynaecologist. The consultation, pathology and imaging referrals, and specialist referrals are bulk billed for eligible Medicare cardholders.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition. The Australian-led 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for PCOS (Monash) estimates PCOS affects around one in eight Australian women — approximately 12% of women of reproductive age. PCOS is complex, affects multiple body systems, and presents differently in each individual. It typically involves a combination of elevated androgens, irregular ovulation, and features on ovarian ultrasound, alongside metabolic changes such as insulin resistance.

Diagnosis in Australia usually follows the Rotterdam criteria: at least two of three features (irregular or absent ovulation, elevated androgens clinically or on blood tests, and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound) after excluding other conditions that mimic PCOS. A bulk billed telehealth GP can order the necessary blood tests and coordinate any imaging referrals.

Symptoms of PCOS

Symptoms vary between people. Common features include:

  • Irregular or absent periods, or cycles longer than 35 days
  • Excess hair growth (hirsutism) on the face, chest, or abdomen
  • Persistent acne, especially along the jaw and back
  • Thinning hair on the scalp
  • Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
  • Darkening of the skin in body folds (acanthosis nigricans)
  • Difficulty conceiving or irregular ovulation
  • Mood changes, anxiety, or depression

Not everyone with PCOS experiences the same symptoms. A GP can help work out whether your symptoms fit a PCOS pattern and what investigations make sense.

What causes PCOS?

The exact cause is not fully understood, but several factors contribute:

  • Insulin resistance. Common in PCOS; higher insulin levels can raise androgen production.
  • Elevated androgens. Drive many of the clinical symptoms such as acne and hirsutism.
  • Genetic factors. PCOS tends to run in families.
  • Chronic low-grade inflammation. May contribute to metabolic and ovarian features.

PCOS is not caused by lifestyle alone, and it is not a reflection of effort or diet. Lifestyle changes can meaningfully improve symptoms and reduce long-term risks, but they are a management tool, not a cause.

When to see a doctor about PCOS

Book a GP (in person or via bulk billed telehealth) if you have any of:

  • Irregular periods (cycles longer than 35 days, or fewer than 9 periods per year)
  • New or worsening excess hair growth, acne, or scalp hair loss
  • Unexplained weight gain or difficulty losing weight
  • Trouble conceiving after 12 months of trying (6 months if over 35)
  • Symptoms of insulin resistance (darkened skin in body folds, sugar cravings)
  • Low mood, anxiety, or body-image concerns related to your symptoms

Early assessment matters because PCOS raises risks of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and endometrial changes over time. Ongoing management with your GP can help address these risks.

How a telehealth GP can help with PCOS

PCOS assessment and ongoing management are built on history, symptom tracking, and test results, which makes telehealth well suited. During the consultation, your GP can:

  • Issue a pathology referral for hormone, insulin, lipid, and thyroid testing
  • Coordinate an ultrasound referral if imaging is needed
  • Send a repeat prescription (eScript) for cycle regulation, acne, or other PCOS-related medication where clinically appropriate
  • Create a GP Management Plan for Medicare-subsidised allied health (dietitian, exercise physiologist, psychologist)
  • Refer you to a specialist such as an endocrinologist, gynaecologist, or fertility specialist where needed
  • Create a Mental Health Treatment Plan and refer you to a psychologist if anxiety, depression, or body-image concerns are affecting you
  • Conduct regular reviews to adjust your plan as symptoms change

For eligible Medicare cardholders, the consultation and all of the above are bulk billed with no out-of-pocket cost.

PCOS medications: pill, metformin, spironolactone, inositol

Treatment is tailored to the symptoms most affecting you — cycle regulation, hirsutism, acne, scalp hair loss, insulin resistance, or fertility. The main options used in Australia per the international PCOS guidelines (endorsed by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists) include:

  • Combined oral contraceptive pill — first-line for cycle regulation and androgen-driven symptoms. Pills containing ethinyloestradiol with drospirenone or cyproterone are particularly used for hirsutism / acne. Endometrial protection benefits.
  • Metformin 500–2000 mg daily — first-line for insulin resistance, particularly with elevated BMI or impaired glucose tolerance. Improves cycle regularity and ovulation in many patients. PBS-subsidised.
  • Spironolactone 50–200 mg daily — anti-androgen, used for hirsutism and androgen-driven hair changes. Effective contraception is required because of teratogenicity.
  • Inositol (myo-inositol + D-chiro-inositol blend) — over-the-counter supplement with emerging evidence for improving insulin sensitivity and ovulation. Often combined with metformin or used as an alternative.
  • Topical eflornithine (Vaniqa) — cosmetic option for facial hirsutism. Not PBS-listed.
  • Topical minoxidil — for androgenetic alopecia (scalp hair thinning). Continuous use needed to maintain effect.
  • Ovulation-induction agents (letrozole, clomiphene) — for PCOS-related infertility, typically prescribed by a fertility specialist after pre-conception assessment.

Your telehealth GP can prescribe most of these, review your response, and refer to an endocrinologist, gynaecologist, or fertility specialist where the next step is in their scope. The choice depends on your priorities — cycle regulation vs hirsutism vs metabolic risk vs trying to conceive — and your individual safety considerations.

Long-term health considerations with PCOS

PCOS is a chronic condition that can affect long-term health beyond reproductive symptoms. Associated risks include:

  • Type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance: commonly associated; regular glucose monitoring helps
  • Cardiovascular risk factors: higher cholesterol and blood pressure can be more common
  • Endometrial changes: irregular or absent periods can lead to thickening of the uterine lining; cycle management helps reduce this risk
  • Mental health: higher rates of anxiety and depression, sometimes related to symptoms and sometimes independent
  • Sleep apnoea: more common, particularly where weight is a factor

Regular check-ins via bulk billed telehealth let your GP screen for these risks, adjust medication, and monitor your wellbeing over time.

Treatment options for PCOS

Management is tailored to the symptoms that bother you most and whether you are planning pregnancy. Options include:

  • Cycle regulation. Hormonal contraception is commonly used to regulate periods and reduce endometrial risk; other options exist.
  • Skin and hair symptoms. Topical and oral treatments may help acne, hirsutism, and scalp hair loss. Your GP will discuss what is appropriate.
  • Insulin resistance. Metabolic management may include medication in some cases, alongside lifestyle changes.
  • Fertility support. Initial investigation with your GP, followed by specialist input for ovulation induction or other fertility treatments where indicated.
  • Lifestyle modification. Regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, sleep, and stress management. Modest weight changes (5 to 10% of body weight) can meaningfully improve symptoms and cycle regularity.
  • Mental health support. Mental Health Treatment Plan and psychology referrals where appropriate.

There is no single PCOS treatment; management typically combines several of the above and evolves over time as priorities change (for example, moving from cycle regulation to fertility support and later to menopause-related changes).

Lifestyle management for PCOS

Evidence-based steps that often help:

  • Regular physical activity combining cardiovascular exercise and resistance training
  • A balanced diet emphasising whole foods and lower glycaemic-index options
  • Modest, sustainable weight changes where relevant (5 to 10% body weight is often meaningful)
  • Sleep hygiene and stress management, including mindfulness or relaxation techniques
  • Allied health input via a GP Management Plan (dietitian, exercise physiologist, psychologist)

Ask your bulk billed telehealth GP about whether a GP Management Plan is appropriate for your situation and which allied-health professionals would help most.

References

This content is informational and does not replace individual medical advice. For personal assessment, book a consultation with your GP. In emergencies, call 000.

Reviewed by Dr. Jason Yu FRACGP

Last reviewed 15 May 2026. Editorial policy

Ready to see a GP?

Book a bulk-billed telehealth consult in under 2 minutes — $0 with Medicare if eligible.

Or call 0481 615 998

Frequently asked questions

Can a telehealth GP help with PCOS?

Yes. A telehealth GP can assess your symptoms, order blood tests to investigate hormone levels, prescribe medication where clinically appropriate, create a GP Management Plan, and provide referrals to specialists such as endocrinologists or gynaecologists. Ongoing PCOS management is well suited to telehealth because review is based on symptoms, cycle tracking, and test results rather than physical examination.

How is PCOS diagnosed?

PCOS diagnosis in Australia follows the Rotterdam criteria, which require at least two of three features: irregular or absent ovulation, clinical or biochemical signs of elevated androgens (such as acne or excess hair growth, or raised testosterone on blood tests), and polycystic ovaries on ultrasound. Other conditions that mimic PCOS (such as thyroid disease or adrenal conditions) need to be excluded. Your GP can order the necessary tests and coordinate any imaging.

What blood tests are needed for PCOS?

Your GP may request hormone levels (testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin), fasting glucose and insulin (to assess insulin resistance), thyroid function, lipid profile, and sometimes a 2-hour glucose tolerance test. These tests help confirm the diagnosis and screen for the metabolic risks associated with PCOS. Pathology referrals are sent electronically during a telehealth consult.

Can PCOS be cured?

There is no cure for PCOS, but it is a highly manageable condition and many people see substantial improvement in symptoms with the right combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and addressing associated issues such as insulin resistance. The goal is usually symptom control and reducing long-term risks rather than cure.

Does PCOS cause infertility?

PCOS is a common cause of infertility because irregular or absent ovulation can make natural conception harder, but many people with PCOS conceive with support. Options may include lifestyle changes, ovulation-induction medication (usually prescribed by a specialist), and other fertility treatments. Your GP can start the investigation and refer you to a fertility specialist or gynaecologist when appropriate.

Can a telehealth GP prescribe medication for PCOS?

Yes. Depending on your symptoms and individual circumstances, your GP may prescribe medication to help manage aspects of PCOS such as irregular periods, hirsutism, acne, or insulin resistance. Hormonal contraception is commonly used for cycle regulation; other options are available. Your GP will discuss the most appropriate choices for your situation.

Can PCOS affect my mental health?

Yes. PCOS is associated with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and difficulties related to body image. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, your GP can provide support and may arrange a Mental Health Treatment Plan, which gives access to up to 10 Medicare-subsidised psychology sessions per calendar year.

Can you lose weight with PCOS?

Yes, although insulin resistance and hormonal changes can make weight loss more difficult for some people with PCOS. Even modest changes (5 to 10% of body weight) can meaningfully improve symptoms, cycle regularity, and metabolic risk. Your GP can help with a tailored approach and, via a GP Management Plan, arrange Medicare-subsidised allied-health input from dietitians and exercise physiologists.

Do I need to see a specialist for PCOS?

Not always. Many aspects of PCOS can be managed by a GP. Your GP may recommend an endocrinologist, gynaecologist, or fertility specialist referral when complexity, treatment resistance, or reproductive planning calls for it.

Is PCOS a lifelong condition?

PCOS is a chronic condition, but its symptoms can often be managed effectively with appropriate treatment and lifestyle modifications. Symptom patterns can also change over time and into menopause. Your GP will work with you to develop a long-term management plan tailored to your needs and goals.

Can I get a GP Management Plan for PCOS via telehealth?

Yes. Your GP can create a GP Management Plan (GPMP) with Team Care Arrangement during a telehealth consultation. A GPMP gives you access to up to 5 Medicare-subsidised allied health sessions per calendar year (for example dietitian, exercise physiologist, or psychologist).

What is the most effective treatment for PCOS?

There is no single most-effective treatment — the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for PCOS (developed at Monash University and endorsed by RANZCOG and the NHMRC) recommends a combination tailored to the symptoms most affecting you. For most adults the lifestyle-first foundation (regular activity, balanced diet, modest weight changes of 5 to 10% where relevant) is recommended alongside medication. Combined oral contraceptive pills are first-line for cycle regulation and androgen-driven symptoms (acne, hirsutism); metformin is first-line where insulin resistance or impaired glucose tolerance is present; anti-androgens such as spironolactone are added for hirsutism that does not respond to a COCP alone; and ovulation-induction agents (letrozole first-line) are used for fertility, usually with specialist input. Your telehealth GP can put a stepwise plan in place and review your response over follow-up consultations.

What medication is used for PCOS in Australia?

Australian Prescriber and the Therapeutic Guidelines describe four main medication classes for PCOS: combined oral contraceptive pills (cycle regulation, endometrial protection, and androgen-driven acne or hirsutism — drospirenone-containing pills are commonly used for the androgenic symptoms; cyproterone-acetate-containing pills can also help these symptoms but Australian Prescriber advises minimising their use because of a less favourable adverse-effect profile), metformin 500–2000 mg daily (insulin resistance, particularly with elevated BMI or impaired glucose tolerance — PBS-subsidised), spironolactone 50–200 mg daily (anti-androgen for hirsutism — effective contraception is required because of teratogenicity), and ovulation-induction agents such as letrozole or clomiphene (for fertility, usually prescribed by a specialist). Inositol (myo-inositol + D-chiro-inositol) is an over-the-counter supplement with emerging evidence for insulin sensitivity. Topical eflornithine can be added for facial hirsutism and topical minoxidil for scalp hair thinning. Your bulk billed telehealth GP can prescribe most of these and refer to an endocrinologist or gynaecologist where management exceeds general-practice scope.

Are Mounjaro or Ozempic used for PCOS?

Ozempic (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) are GLP-1 medications used in Australia for type 2 diabetes; neither is TGA-approved specifically for PCOS, so any use for PCOS is off-label. PBS access also differs: semaglutide (Ozempic) is PBS-listed for type 2 diabetes under specific authority criteria, while tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is currently not PBS-listed and is private-prescription only — a meaningful out-of-pocket cost difference. The 2023 International PCOS Guideline notes GLP-1s show benefit for weight and metabolic outcomes in people with PCOS who also meet obesity criteria, but cautions that long-term safety and ovarian-function data are still emerging and that they are not first-line for PCOS itself. There is no head-to-head 'better for PCOS' comparison in the published evidence — choice is shaped by indication, PBS access, cost, side-effect profile, and pregnancy planning (GLP-1s are stopped before trying to conceive). A bulk billed telehealth GP can discuss whether a GLP-1 fits your individual situation, screen for the relevant criteria, and coordinate ongoing monitoring; ovulation-induction and fertility planning typically still go through a specialist.

Other services