You know as well as we do that PCOS is largely still a mystery – medics are yet to pinpoint possible causes, and there are, as yet, sadly no cures. This means that you most likely have a lot on unanswered questions – not only about PCOS symptom management, but also about navigating life with PCOS and what wellbeing looks like when you have PCOS.

That in mind, we rounded up some of our favourite reads that, whilst not specifically for people with PCOS, may be hugely beneficial for people with PCOS seeking more information on the human body and how to prioritise your own health and wellbeing.

Best Books for PCOS: 5 Books to Read If You Have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

1. Period Power: Harness Your Hormones and Get Your Cycle Working For You, Maisie Hill

Spilling the tea on the stuff we should’ve been taught in sex ed is Maisie Hill’s Period Power: Harness Your Hormones and Get Your Cycle Working For You. It’s a handbook to periods and hormones that spells out everything from how our menstrual cycles affect our energy levels and emotions, to identifying hormonal imbalances. It also helps you learn more about your own cycle, teaching you how to identify patterns and play to your strengths at various points throughout the month. 

Honestly? This is the kind of book you’ll want to loan out to all your menstruated cycle-having friends.

2. The Panic Years, Nell Frizzell

There comes a time in every womb-having human’s life where big, life-altering decisions must be made – to procreate, or not to procreate, for instance. However, for people with PCOS, making decisions regarding things such as pregnancy can be extra complex, since both the condition and some treatment options can affect fertility. Nell Frizzell’s The Panic Years opens up the conversations we ought to be having (with ourselves, at least) about parenthood, careers, and relationships, and provides comfort to those of us still figuring things out.

3. The Food Medic For Life, Dr Hazel Wallace

There’s no shortage of dietary info out there for people with PCOS (though, let’s be real – much of it comes from unreliable sources), however, eating when you have PCOS doesn’t have to be complex. In fact, The Eatwell Guide, which focuses on a balanced diet full of nutrients, is a good place to start. 

The Food Medic For Life isn’t a diet book for people with PCOS. It’s a recipe book for people who lead busy lives but want to eat healthily. There are more than 100 delicious recipes in the book (including speedy breakfast options, on-the-go lunches, and snacks) – all of which author, NHS medical doctor and registered nutritionist Hazel, who has PCOS, enjoys herself.

4. The Gynae Geek: Your No-Nonsense Guide to 'Down There' Healthcare, Dr Anita Mitra

Consider this your know-all guide to, eh, down there. The Gynae Geek: Your No-Nonsense Guide to 'Down There' Healthcare is a must-read for anyone with a vagina – it walks you through crucial contraception information, reproductive health, and the ins and outs (pardon the pun) of smear tests. There’s even advice on how to eat when you have PCOS.

In the book, author Anita answers every question you’ve had regarding female health that you’ve always been too embarrassed to ask in a reassuring and easy-to-understand way. Take our word for it, and go get your mitts on this book.

5. The Comfort Book, Matt Haig

Living with PCOS can be incredibly distressing. The Comfort Book, frankly, has zilch all to do with PCOS, but it is a big hug in hardback form. 

It’s the book to turn to when everything feels overwhelming and you need a little reminder of all there is to love in life. It’s perfect for dipping in and out of whenever you need a pick-me-up – like a good pal in paper getup.