PCOS Is There a Connection Between PCOS and Psoriatic Arthritis? By Katherine Alexis Athanasiou, PA-C Katherine Alexis Athanasiou, PA-C Katherine Alexis Athanasiou is a New York-based certified Physician Assistant with clinical experience in Rheumatology and Family Medicine. She is a lifelong writer with works published in several local newspapers, The Journal of the American Academy of PAs, Health Digest, and more. Learn about our editorial process Published on April 20, 2022 Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH Medically reviewed by Anita C. Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH LinkedIn Anita Chandrasekaran, MD, MPH, is board-certified in internal medicine and rheumatology and currently works as a rheumatologist at Hartford Healthcare Medical Group in Connecticut. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Connection Causes Inflammation Treatment When to See a Provider Research suggests there could be a potential link between polycystic ovary syndrome and psoriasis, which leads some to wonder if the same could be true for PCOS and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Despite the possible connection between PCOS and psoriasis, there isn't a known link between PCOS and PsA. This article discusses these two conditions and how inflammation plays a role in both of them. AsiaVision / Getty Images The Connection Between PCOS and PsA PCOS is a condition that causes a variety of symptoms, including weight gain, excess body hair, menstrual period irregularities, and more. It is thought to be caused by hormonal imbalances. Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that leads to the development of plaques and scales along the body, scalp, and nails. Both PCOS and psoriasis have been tied to some level of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. While the exact connection is not fully understood, there has been some evidence to suggest a link between PCOS and psoriasis. A 2013 study showed that people with psoriasis were at a significantly higher risk of developing PCOS. Some evidence suggests a possible link between PCOS and psoriasis, but is there a link between PCOS and psoriatic arthritis? About 30% of people with psoriasis develop psoriatic arthritis. A person with one autoimmune disease, such as psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis, is at a higher risk of developing additional autoimmune diseases when compared to the general population. While limited studies have shown a connection between psoriasis and PCOS, there are no studies suggesting a link between PCOS and PsA. The Link Between Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Is PCOS an Autoimmune Disease? Autoimmune diseases occur when the body's own immune system is mistakenly triggered and begins attacking healthy tissue and organs. For example, in psoriatic arthritis, the immune system attacks a person's joints, skin, nails, and more. The exact cause of PCOS remains unclear. However, insulin resistance, high levels of androgens (a particular set of hormones), and irregular menstrual cycles can all contribute to PCOS. Currently, there is no evidence to suggest PCOS is an autoimmune disease. The Role of Inflammation in Both Conditions Despite the lack of concrete evidence between PCOS and psoriatic arthritis, both conditions do share one characteristic with each other: the presence of inflammation. What Is Inflammation? Inflammation is the immune system's response to injury, trauma, infection, or irritation. Inflammation causes redness, swelling, warmth, and discomfort of the affected area. People with PCOS tend to have higher sedimentation rates (ESR) or levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), both of which are markers of inflammation. Inflammation has also been shown to lead to higher oxidative stress in PCOS. PsA is characterized by inflammation in the joints and the surrounding synovial tissues. The Relationship Between PCOS and Inflammation Treatment for PCOS and Psoriatic Arthritis Since people with PCOS tend to either not menstruate (amenorrhea) or have irregular menses (oligomenorrhea), the goal of treatment typically is to establish consistent and regular periods. In addition to weight loss, regular exercise, and lifestyle modifications, the following are some treatment options for PCOS: Clomid: An estrogen receptor modulator which can stimulate ovulation Metformin: A common diabetes medication which reduces insulin and androgen levels Gonadotropins: Hormones responsible for stimulating ovulation In addition to medications to help stimulate ovulation, other medications or interventions may help reduce the varying symptoms of PCOS. Thanks to advances in modern medicine, particularly with the development and improvement of biologic agents, there are numerous treatment options available for people with PsA. The goal of treating PsA is to reduce systemic inflammation and prevent or slow the progression of systemic disease. Options for treating psoriatic arthritis include: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) Dietary and lifestyle modifications Oral or topical steroids Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), such as methotrexate and sulfasalazine Biologics, such as Remicade and Humira When to See a Healthcare Provider Untreated PCOS can lead to long-term complications and disease, including: Infertility Obesity Cardiovascular disease Endometrial cancer It's important to seek an evaluation from a healthcare provider if you experience symptoms such as: Irregular periodsWeight gainExcess body hairAcneCystic ovaries With early intervention and proper treatment, PCOS can be managed effectively. Untreated PsA can also lead to increased disability and decreased quality of life. Seek a medical evaluation for possible PsA symptoms if you are experiencing: Swollen and tender jointsDecreased range of motion of your jointsSpinal tenderness and stiffnessPsoriasis of the scalp, skin, or nails Summary In recent years, a handful of studies have investigated the possible link between insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction in psoriasis and PCOS. While there is currently no evidence to support an association between PCOS and psoriatic arthritis, more research is needed to answer these questions. Both conditions can be effectively treated with the help of a healthcare provider. A Word From Verywell Both PCOS and PsA can be effectively managed with an appropriate treatment plan. If you are exhibiting symptoms of either disease, it's important to have a medical evaluation to ensure the best outcome for your health and future. Frequently Asked Questions Does PCOS worsen psoriatic arthritis? There is currently no evidence to support the claim that PCOS worsens or causes more severe psoriatic arthritis. Are autoimmune diseases linked to PCOS? To date, some studies demonstrate a higher incidence of various autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic sclerosis in people with PCOS, compared to people without. However, more research needs to be done to confirm or discredit this notion, as it takes significant evidence and scientific research to find links between disease pathways. 8 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Lee TH, Wu CH, Chen ML, et al. Risk of psoriasis in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: a national population-based cohort study. J Clin Med. 2020;9(6):1947. doi:10.3390/jcm9061947 Moro F, De Simone C, Morciano A, et al. Psoriatic patients have an increased risk of polycystic ovary syndrome: results of a cross-sectional analysis. Fertil Steril. 2013;99(3):936-942. doi:10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.10.040 National Psoriasis Foundation. About psoriatic arthritis. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Polycystic ovary syndrome. Blumenfeld Z. The possible practical implication of high CRP levels in PCOS. Clin Med Insights Reprod Health. 2019;13:1179558119861936. doi:10.1177/1179558119861936 Badawy A, Elnashar. Treatment options for polycystic ovary syndrome. IJWH. 2011;25. doi:10.2147/IJWH.S11304 UpToDate. Patient education: Psoriatic arthritis (beyond the basics). Sharmeen S, Nomani H, Taub E, Carlson H, Yao Q. Polycystic ovary syndrome: epidemiologic assessment of prevalence of systemic rheumatic and autoimmune diseases. Clin Rheumatol. 2021;40(12):4837-4843. doi:10.1007/s10067-021-05850-0 By Katherine Alexis Athanasiou, PA-C Katherine Alexis Athanasiou is a New York-based certified Physician Assistant with clinical experience in Rheumatology and Family Medicine. She is a lifelong writer with works published in several local newspapers, The Journal of the American Academy of PAs, Health Digest, and more. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit