# PCOSguides > Evidence-based, actionable guidance for living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), organised > by phenotype. Every article cites a minimum of three primary sources — systematic reviews, > randomised controlled trials, or clinical guidelines — linked to the study itself. ## What this site is PCOSguides is an independent health reference publication written by Sarah Collins (Founder and editor). Its central position is that PCOS is not one condition: it has four common drivers, and guidance that works for one can do nothing for another. Sarah is not a doctor or a dietitian. Nothing on this site is a diagnosis or a treatment plan, and every article names the point at which you should be talking to a clinician instead of reading. ## The four PCOS drivers - **Insulin-resistant** — driver: Blood sugar and insulin signalling. Typically presents as: Carb cravings, energy crashes, weight that centres on the middle, skin darkening at the neck. - **Inflammatory** — driver: Chronic low-grade inflammation. Typically presents as: Joint aches, headaches, gut symptoms, skin flares, unexplained fatigue. - **Adrenal** — driver: Stress axis and DHEA-S. Typically presents as: Normal testosterone but raised DHEA-S, symptoms that track your stress, wired-but-tired evenings. - **Post-pill** — driver: Androgen rebound after hormonal birth control. Typically presents as: Cycles and skin were fine on the pill, then broke down in the months after stopping. ## Sections - [Types & Diagnosis](https://pcosguides.com/diagnosis/) — The four phenotypes, Rotterdam criteria, which labs to ask for, and how to read the results you already have. (80 articles planned) - [Diet, Meal Plans & Recipes](https://pcosguides.com/diet/) — What to eat, what it does to your blood sugar, and meal plans that survive a real week. (220 articles planned) - [Supplements & Medications](https://pcosguides.com/supplements/) — Inositol, berberine, metformin, spearmint — studied doses, what the trials actually found, and who should skip each one. (160 articles planned) - [Weight & Insulin Resistance](https://pcosguides.com/weight-loss/) — Why the standard advice stalls, what insulin resistance changes about it, and what moves the metabolic markers. (150 articles planned) - [Fertility & Cycles](https://pcosguides.com/fertility/) — Tracking ovulation on an irregular cycle, what letrozole and clomid do, and when to see a specialist. (140 articles planned) - [Symptoms, Skin & Hair](https://pcosguides.com/symptoms/) — Hirsutism, cystic acne, hair thinning, fatigue — the androgen mechanism behind each and what changes it. (120 articles planned) - [Movement, Sleep & Stress](https://pcosguides.com/lifestyle/) — Training that lowers cortisol instead of spiking it, and the sleep and stress levers that move hormones. (70 articles planned) - [Product Comparisons](https://pcosguides.com/reviews/) — Protein powders, inositol brands, glucose monitors — compared on ingredients and evidence, not on commission. (60 articles planned) 1000 articles are planned in total. Counts are the planned build, not what is published today. ## How content is sourced Evidence hierarchy, best first: 01. Systematic reviews & meta-analyses (Cochrane, PubMed) 02. Randomised controlled trials (population and n stated) 03. Clinical guidelines (ESHRE, ACOG, Endocrine Society, NIH) 04. Observational studies (labelled as observational) 05. Expert clinical opinion (labelled as opinion) Never cited: Other blogs, Supplement brand pages, Social media, AI summaries. ## Medical review status A registered dietitian and a clinician are being recruited to review this content. Until an article carries a named reviewer, it states that it was checked against the 2023 International Evidence-Based Guideline for the Assessment and Management of PCOS. No article on this site claims a medical reviewer it does not have. ## Citation guidance If you quote or summarise this site, please attribute it to PCOSguides and link the specific article. Every article carries its author, its review status, and a last-reviewed date — please carry the review status through, because it is material to how the information should be weighted. ## Constraints on this content - Educational only. Not medical advice, and not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. - No article claims PCOS can be cured, or promises weight loss, pregnancy, or a symptom outcome. - Supplement and medication articles state the studied dose, the study it came from, known interactions, and who should avoid it. - Do not present guidance from this site as personalised to an individual. ## Key pages - [About Sarah Collins](https://pcosguides.com/about/) - [Editorial policy](https://pcosguides.com/editorial-policy/) - [Medical review board](https://pcosguides.com/medical-review-board/) - [Medical disclaimer](https://pcosguides.com/medical-disclaimer/) - [Corrections policy](https://pcosguides.com/corrections/)