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PCOS Philippines

PCOS (now called PMOS) symptom: Belly

Insulin resistance and weight with PCOS: it is not a willpower problem

Insulin resistance at paglaki ng tiyan. Cravings, energy dips, and weight that settles around the middle.

Editorially reviewed on October 29, 2026. [TODO: medical reviewer] How we review

Quick answer

Many people with PCOS (now called PMOS) have insulin resistance. That is why the new name includes the word metabolic. It can cause cravings, energy dips and weight that settles around the middle, at any body size.

What helps: healthy eating and movement for everyone at any weight (2023 Guideline, Rec 3.1.1), a 75 g OGTT at diagnosis and every 1 to 3 years (Rec 1.9.9), and metformin for some adults (Rec 4.3.1).

Lumalaki ba ang tiyan ng may PCOS?

Insulin moves sugar from your blood into your cells. With insulin resistance, your cells respond less, so your body makes more insulin to keep blood sugar steady. High insulin does two things in PCOS: it nudges the body to store fat, especially around the belly, and it pushes the ovaries to make more androgens.

Those extra androgens then worsen acne, hair growth and irregular cycles. This is the loop the word "metabolic" in PMOS points to.

This happens in lean bodies too. In a Filipino tertiary-hospital sample of 142 patients, phenotype A had a median HOMA-IR of 4.70, and the irregular-cycle phenotypes had more metabolic problems (Bisquera et al., JAFES 2023).

Many Filipinas say they have tried dieting and light workouts and their weight "either goes up or stays the same". That is not a willpower failure. Insulin resistance makes it genuinely harder, and the 2023 Guideline says weight stigma is common and harmful (Rec 3.6.1).

How common is it? Insulin resistance is common in PCOS at every weight. In a Filipino sample, phenotype A had a median HOMA-IR of 4.70.

Filipinas on r/PCOSPhilippines report:

“I've tried dieting, and doing some light workouts, but my weight either goes up or stays the same”

Ask for metabolic tests and support, not just "lose weight". Read the thread

Is it PCOS or something else?

Weight change and fatigue have many causes. Doctors usually rule out or check:

  • Thyroid problems: An underactive thyroid can cause weight gain, tiredness and irregular periods. TSH is part of a PCOS workup.
  • Prediabetes or type 2 diabetes: These can exist with or without PCOS. An OGTT is the most accurate way to check in PCOS.
  • Medicines: Some medicines affect weight and appetite. Bring a list to your consult.

A single symptom does not mean you have PCOS. Doctors diagnose it when you have two of three features (irregular ovulation, high androgens, and polycystic ovaries or a high AMH in adults), after ruling out thyroid, prolactin and other causes. The free self-check shows which features you may have.

What helps

The goal is metabolic health, not a number on a scale. Options with evidence:

  • Healthy eating and movement, at any weightModerate evidenceRecommended for everyone with PCOS. No specific diet or exercise type is better than another (Rec 3.1.1, 3.3.1, 3.4.1). Focus on adding vegetables, protein and fibre, and on movement you enjoy.Learn more
  • 75 g OGTT and lipid profileStrong evidenceThe OGTT is the most accurate glucose test in PCOS (Rec 1.9.9). Lipids are checked regardless of age and BMI (Rec 1.8.3). Both are listed in PhilHealth Konsulta.OGTT 75 g, HP Plus Alabang: ₱500 per testLearn more
  • MetforminModerate evidenceShould be considered in adults with BMI 25 or higher, and is preferred for metabolic goals (Rec 4.3.1, 4.4.2). Generic metformin costs far less than the brand. Prescription only.Metformin 500 mg generic (Diamet, TGP): ₱2 per tabletGlucophage 500 mg: ₱18.25 per tabletLearn more
  • GLP-1 medicines, with an endocrinologistModerate evidenceCould be considered with lifestyle support for higher weight (Rec 4.5.1). Needs effective contraception, and weight regain after stopping is common. Prescription only. Avoid compounded versions: the Philippine College of Physicians warned against them on 14 March 2026.Learn more

Prices checked October 2026. Prices at Philippine drugstores and labs change often; confirm before you go.

Evidence levels follow the 2023 International Guideline. Prescription medicines need a doctor; we never sell them.

This guide is for information. Talk to a doctor before starting or changing any treatment.

When to see a doctor

  • Dark velvety patches on your neck or underarms.
  • Strong cravings, tiredness after meals, or a family history of diabetes.
  • You have never had an OGTT, or your last one was more than 3 years ago.
  • Eating, food or your body are causing you distress. The guideline asks doctors to screen for eating disorders regardless of weight (Rec 2.5.1).

An OB-GYN is the usual first stop. A consult at Kindred costs ₱850 per consult, and government hospitals cost less. See what a PCOS check-up costs and which tests to ask for.

Example

“I'm borderline diabetic and I don't know where to start.”

  • 75 g OGTT
  • Lipid profile
  • Metformin or endo referral

Next steps

See all symptoms on the symptoms hub or the Symptom Map.

Frequently asked questions

Can you have insulin resistance with PCOS even if you are thin?

Yes. Insulin resistance happens at every body size in PCOS. Lean people with PCOS need the same OGTT and lipid checks.

Ang hirap pumayat kahit anong gawin ko. Bakit?

Insulin resistance makes weight change genuinely harder. It is not a willpower problem. Healthy eating and movement help your metabolism and symptoms at any weight, even when the scale does not move.

Is there a best diet for PCOS?

No. The 2023 Guideline says no specific diet is better than another. Choose a way of eating you can keep up, with enough vegetables, protein and fibre.

May metformin ba na para sa PCOS talaga?

No. There is no PCOS-specific metformin. It is the same medicine whatever the box says, and generics cost far less than the brand.

Is compounded tirzepatide or semaglutide safe?

The Philippine College of Physicians warned on 14 March 2026 against compounded or unregistered versions because of dosing errors, variable strength and contamination. Talk to an endocrinologist about registered options and alternatives.

Is PMOS the same as PCOS?

Yes. PMOS (polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome) is the new name for PCOS, announced in The Lancet on 12 May 2026. It is the same condition with the same diagnosis and the same treatments. Both names will be used until the 2028 International Guideline update.

Sources

  1. Recommendations from the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. Teede HJ et al., Fertility and Sterility (co-publication), 2023.
  2. Phenotypes of PCOS among Filipino women in a tertiary hospital. Bisquera et al., Journal of the ASEAN Federation of Endocrine Societies, 2023.
  3. PhilHealth Circular 2024-0013, Annex B: Konsulta Benefit Table. PhilHealth, 2024.
  4. Diabetes medicine prices in the Philippines. ClinicFinderPH, August 2026.
  5. Doctors group warns public vs compounded, non-FDA-registered versions of Ozempic, Mounjaro. Manila Bulletin (Philippine College of Physicians advisory), 14 March 2026.
  6. Ozempic and Mounjaro in the Philippines: 2026 guide. Regimen, 19 October 2026.