4 Types of PCOS & How To Know Which One You Have - Inflammatory, Insulin Resistant & Adrenal PCOS

If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS (or suspect you have it), you’ve probably already realized something frustrating…

The advice is all over the place.

Some people say cut carbs. Others say balance hormones. Some focus on stress, while others push supplements.

And you’re left thinking: what actually applies to me?

Here’s the truth: PCOS is not one-size-fits-all.

There are actually different types of PCOS, each with different root causes. And understanding your type is one of the most important steps in figuring out how to support your body.

Because when you know what’s driving your symptoms, everything becomes a lot more clear.

What Is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that affects how the ovaries function.

It’s typically associated with:

irregular or missing periods
elevated androgens (like high testosterone)
ovulation issues
metabolic changes

But PCOS is more than just a reproductive condition, it’s also deeply connected to metabolism, stress, inflammation, and hormone regulation.

That’s why symptoms can look so different from one person to another.

Take the PCOS type quiz

Why PCOS Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All

One of the biggest misconceptions about PCOS is that it’s the same for everyone.

In reality, different underlying factors can drive PCOS symptoms, including:

insulin resistance
chronic stress
inflammation
hormonal shifts after birth control

This is why two women with PCOS can have completely different experiences, and why the same plan won’t work for everyone.

When you understand your type, you can stop guessing and start taking a more targeted approach.

The 4 Types of PCOS Explained

While every woman is unique, PCOS is commonly broken down into four main types based on root cause.

1. Insulin Resistance PCOS

This is the most common type of PCOS.

It’s driven by the body’s reduced ability to respond to insulin, which leads to higher insulin levels. Over time, this signals the ovaries to produce more testosterone.

Common signs:

weight gain or difficulty losing weight
strong sugar or carb cravings
energy crashes
fatigue
belly fat

What helps:

balancing blood sugar with protein, fiber, and healthy fats
strength training and regular movement
consistent meals (not skipping meals)

2. Adrenal PCOS

Adrenal PCOS is driven more by chronic stress and elevated cortisol.

Instead of insulin being the main issue, the adrenal glands are producing excess androgens in response to stress.

Common signs:

feeling “wired but tired”
anxiety or burnout
poor sleep
irregular cycles
normal weight or slight weight changes

What helps:

nervous system regulation
reducing high-intensity exercise
prioritizing rest and recovery
consistent meals

3. Inflammatory PCOS

This type is driven by chronic low-grade inflammation in the body.

Inflammation can disrupt hormone signaling and increase androgen production.

Common signs:

fatigue
digestive issues
skin conditions
joint pain
bloating

What helps:

anti-inflammatory nutrition
gut health support
reducing processed foods
managing stress

4. Post-Birth Control PCOS

Some women experience PCOS-like symptoms after stopping hormonal birth control.

This can happen as the body works to regulate its natural hormone production again.

Common signs:

irregular or missing periods
acne
temporary hormone imbalances

What helps:

supporting the body’s natural hormone reset
balanced nutrition
patience and consistency
proper supplementation based on bloodwork

✨ Wish you had ongoing support to help
reverse your PCOS symptoms & balance your hormones?

It’s one thing to know what to do, but actually staying consistent
with meals, workouts, and habits is where most of us struggle.

Inside Becoming Balanced Together (BBT), you’ll get
weekly PCOS friendly meal plans, workouts, mindfulness practices,
and live support to help you stay on track and
support your hormones in a sustainable way.

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Signs & Symptoms of Each PCOS Type

While each type has its own patterns, many symptoms overlap.

Common PCOS symptoms include:

irregular cycles
acne
hair growth or hair thinning
weight changes
cravings
fatigue

This overlap is why identifying your dominant pattern is more helpful than focusing on one symptom alone.

What Causes Each Type of PCOS?

Each type of PCOS is driven by different underlying factors.

Insulin resistance PCOS is influenced by blood sugar regulation and metabolic health.
Adrenal PCOS is driven by stress and cortisol levels.
Inflammatory PCOS is linked to gut health, diet, and chronic inflammation.
Post-birth control PCOS is often temporary and related to hormone readjustment.

Understanding the cause helps you address the root instead of just the symptoms.

How to Know Which Type of PCOS You Have

This is the question most women are asking.

The answer usually comes down to:

your symptoms
your lifestyle patterns
your health history
and sometimes lab testing

For example:

if you struggle with cravings and weight gain → insulin resistance may be a factor
if stress and anxiety are dominant → adrenal PCOS may be more relevant
if digestion and inflammation are present → inflammatory PCOS may be involved

And here’s something important to know:

You don’t have to fit perfectly into just one category! Take my PCOS Type Quiz to figure out which type is likely your dominant PCOS type and where to start with improving your symptoms.

Can You Have More Than One Type of PCOS?

Yes! And this is actually very common.

Many women have a combination of:

insulin resistance + adrenal
inflammatory + insulin resistance

That’s why it’s more helpful to think in terms of what your body needs most support with, rather than trying to label yourself perfectly.

How to Treat PCOS Based on Your Type

Instead of trying to follow generic advice, your approach should match your root cause.

For example:

If insulin resistance is present → focus on blood sugar balance
If stress is high → prioritize nervous system regulation
If inflammation is a factor → support gut health and reduce inflammatory foods

This is what makes your plan effective and sustainable.

Best Diet & Lifestyle Tips for Each PCOS Type

No matter your type, there are a few foundational habits that support hormone balance:

eating balanced meals with protein, fiber, and fats is the best way to eat to heal hormonal imbalances
avoiding extreme restriction, like cutting carbs or counting calories
prioritizing sleep like it’s your job!
managing stress with mindfulness practices, such as, journaling, meditation, yoga, therapy, etc
incorporating regular movement that doesn’t deplete the body

From there, you can adjust based on your specific needs.

This is also where cycle syncing can be helpful, which is aligning your nutrition and workouts with your cycle to support hormone balance throughout the month.

Should You Get Testing for PCOS?

Testing can provide helpful insight, especially when looking at:

insulin and glucose
testosterone levels
cortisol
thyroid function

However, testing is just one piece of the puzzle. Your symptoms and lifestyle patterns are just as important when creating a plan.

Take the PCOS Type Quiz

If you’re still unsure which type of PCOS you resonate with most, this is exactly why I created my PCOS Type Quiz.

It’s designed to help you identify your dominant pattern so you can stop guessing and start supporting your hormones in a way that actually works for your body.

PCOS can feel overwhelming, especially when the advice you’re getting feels conflicting, confusing or just unhelpful.

But when you understand your type, everything starts to make more sense.

You don’t need to do everything at once, you just need to focus on what your body actually needs and go from there!

Want Support Beyond the Quiz?

If you’re ready to take the next step, this is exactly what I help women with.

Inside my membership Becoming Balanced Together (BBT), you’ll get weekly hormone-supportive meal plans, workouts, and guidance tailored to support your hormones and make consistency easier.

And if you want a more personalized approach, my 1:1 hormone health coaching program helps you create a plan based on your specific symptoms, lifestyle, and goals.

Because your body isn’t working against you, it just needs the right kind of support!