Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal condition that can impact nearly every part of your health. Millions of women of reproductive age live with PCOS and the wide range of symptoms that come with it. One symptom that often gets overlooked? High cholesterol.
When hormone levels are out of balance with PCOS, it can trigger a chain reaction throughout the body. And one of the more serious health problems to pay attention to is elevated cholesterol, which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease—definitely not something to ignore.
Many Cysters don’t immediately think about heart health when they think about PCOS, but the two are closely connected. But once you understand how PCOS affects cholesterol levels, you can take intentional steps to support both hormone balance and cardiovascular health. Don’t know where to start? Don’t worry— that’s exactly what I’m breaking down in this post.
PCOS and High Cholesterol: What’s the Connection?
Before I dive into the connection between PCOS and high cholesterol, it helps to understand what cholesterol actually is and why it matters. So… what is cholesterol—and how does it relate to PCOS?
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance your body naturally produces—and it plays a key role in hormone production. In fact, it’s the building block for sex hormones and cortisol, which makes it especially important for Cysters.
So if you’ve recently had blood work done and were told your cholesterol is high, it’s definitely something worth paying attention to. But don’t worry; it isn’t something to panic about!
In this post, I’m breaking down how PCOS can contribute to high cholesterol, along with practical steps you can take to lower it. You’ll be able to support hormone balance and work toward reversing PCOS at the same time!
Can PCOS Cause High Cholesterol?
Yes, PCOS can absolutely cause high cholesterol, and it’s far more common than many Cysters realize. In fact, up to 70% of people with PCOS develop hyperlipidemia, which means elevated levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, triglycerides, or both. And here’s the surprising part: high cholesterol with PCOS can happen even if you’re young, active, and not overweight.
With PCOS, it’s usually not just about total cholesterol numbers. A common pattern includes higher levels of LDL (low-density lipoprotein) and triglycerides, paired with low levels of HDL (high-density lipoprotein, AKA your “good” cholesterol). This imbalance is what increases long-term cardiovascular risk.
So what’s the driving force of these high cholesterol levels in women with PCOS? The same root issues behind many PCOS symptoms: insulin resistance, elevated androgens, and chronic inflammation. When these are present, cholesterol metabolism becomes disrupted, making hormone and heart health closely connected.
But here’s the good news: when you address these root causes, cholesterol levels can improve right along with PCOS symptoms.
Why Does PCOS Cause High Cholesterol?
Insulin Resistance
Insulin resistance is one of the biggest drivers behind many PCOS symptoms, including high cholesterol. And since up to 80% of Cysters struggle with insulin resistance, it’s something we can’t afford to ignore.
Insulin resistance happens when your body has trouble turning glucose into energy. Instead, that glucose stays circulating in the bloodstream and gets stored as fat. Over time, consistently high insulin levels signal the liver to produce more LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, raise triglycerides, and lower HDL (“good”) cholesterol. This creates the classic cholesterol pattern often seen with PCOS.
When insulin resistance goes unaddressed, it doesn’t just affect your labs. It can also increase the risk of long-term issues, like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. However, improving insulin sensitivity can help balance both your hormones and cholesterol.
Excess Androgens
One of the key hormone imbalances in PCOS is elevated androgens (AKA male hormones like testosterone). High androgen levels can lead to symptoms like anovulation, irregular periods, PCOS belly, oily skin, and acne. But they also affect your cholesterol in ways many Cysters don’t realize.
Elevated androgens can lower HDL cholesterol while signaling the liver to produce more LDL cholesterol. This means that even if you haven’t experienced PCOS weight gain, you could still be dealing with high cholesterol behind the scenes.
Hormones play a powerful role in how your body processes and produces cholesterol. Addressing androgen imbalance is an important step toward supporting both hormone and heart health.
Dive deeper into why Cysters have more testosterone and what to do about it in my post, “How to Lower DHEA in PCOS.”
Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation
Another major root issue behind PCOS is chronic low-grade inflammation. This ongoing inflammation can damage blood vessels, increase the likelihood of LDL oxidation (which makes it more harmful), and disrupt normal lipid metabolism.
And because inflammation further worsens insulin resistance, LDL levels can continue to rise. This creates a frustrating loop that keeps cholesterol elevated unless you make sure to address the root causes.
Elevated Cortisol Levels
Chronic inflammation and insulin resistance often push cortisol (AKA your stress hormone) higher in women with PCOS. When cortisol stays elevated, it can raise blood sugar and insulin levels, promote stubborn fat storage, and increase both triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.
And here’s the tricky part: high cortisol doesn’t just cause these issues—it feeds them. Elevated cortisol worsens inflammation and insulin resistance, which, in turn, keeps cholesterol levels high. It becomes a cycle that’s hard to break unless you address stress and hormone balance together.
If you want to dive deeper into supporting healthy cortisol levels, check out my posts “How to Reduce Cortisol” and “Lower Cortisol with Supplements.” Reducing stress isn’t just about feeling calmer; it’s a powerful step toward better hormone and heart health.
Gut Microbiome Imbalances
Nearly half of women with PCOS struggle with gut health issues. And when your gut isn’t working properly, it can interfere with bile recycling. This is a key process your body uses to eliminate excess cholesterol.
But it doesn’t stop there. An imbalanced gut can also increase inflammation and worsen insulin resistance. And as you already know, both of those are major contributors to elevated cholesterol in Cysters. That’s why healing your gut alongside balancing your hormones is so important. When your digestion improves, cholesterol regulation often improves too.
If you want to go deeper, check out my post, “Gut Health Supplements for PCOS.” It offers practical ways to support your gut and your hormones at the same time.
How to Lower Cholesterol with PCOS
Follow a gluten- and dairy-free anti-inflammatory diet.
The key to reversing PCOS naturally starts with a gluten- and dairy-free anti-inflammatory diet. When you build your meals around lean protein, fiber, and healthy fats, you keep blood sugar steady, which improves insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammation. This way of eating directly targets the root causes behind so many PCSO symptoms, including high cholesterol.
If you’re not sure where to begin, The Cysterhood app makes it simple. Inside, you’ll find hundreds of PCOS-friendly recipes designed to support hormone balance and healthy weight loss. And the best part? These aren’t simple, flavorless, restrictive meals. Think: strawberry cheesecake popsicles, Mongolian beef and broccoli, almond butter fudge, and Korean barbecue short ribs!
Want even more inspiration? Be sure to check out my posts “PCOS Recipes for Weight Loss” and “PCOS Meal Plan” to keep your healing journey moving forward.
Prioritize soluble fiber daily.
Adding soluble fiber to your daily routine is a powerful way to support gut health and naturally lower cholesterol. Soluble fiber helps your body bind to cholesterol in the digestive tract and remove it, preventing it from being reabsorbed.
When soluble fiber mixes with water, it forms a gel-like substance in your gut. This slows digestion, stabilizes blood sugar, supports healthy gut bacteria, and helps balance cholesterol. As a bonus, it helps you feel fuller longer and promotes more regular digestion—an all-around win for Cysters.
Some of my favorite PCOS-friendly sources include:
- Chia seeds
- Lentils
- Oats (gluten-free)
- Berries
- Flaxseed
I always aim for 25-30 grams of fiber per day, with at least 10 grams coming from soluble fiber for the biggest benefits.
Check out my posts “Gut Health Smoothie for PCOS” and “Low Sugar Ice Cream for PCOS” for ways to add soluble fiber to your diet.
Practice low-impact workouts.
Diet plays a huge role in lowering cholesterol, but movement matters too. Consistent, low-impact exercise can significantly improve cholesterol levels, insulin sensitivity, and overall hormone balance for Cysters.
The best results come from moderate, gentle workouts like slow-weighted strength training, swimming, Pilates, cycling, and walking. More specifically, most experts recommend aiming for at least 150 minutes of low-impact movement per week. This supports heart health and cholesterol balance without overstressing your body.
You can find plenty of PCOS-friendly workouts inside The Cysterhood app. When done regularly, these routines help you feel more energized, more toned, and better overall.
And if you want to learn more, be sure to check out my posts “PCOS Workout Routine” and “Worst Exercises for PCOS.” Choosing the right kind of movement can make all the difference in your healing journey.
Manage cortisol levels through stress-relieving activities.
Lowering cortisol starts with creating moments of calm in your day. Gentle practices like yoga, meditation, deep breathing, or spending time on a relaxing hobby can make a real difference.
When cortisol levels come down, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides often follow. You’ll also see benefits like reduced inflammation and improved insulin sensitivity—two huge wins for PCOS. And maybe the best part? Lowering stress gives you permission to slow down and take care of yourself. It’s not indulgent—it’s essential for your health.
Take PCOS healing supplements.
Lifestyle and dietary changes are incredibly effective for balancing hormones and lowering cholesterol. But sometimes, your body needs a little extra support. That’s where PCOS-friendly supplements can make a big difference.
When it comes to cholesterol support, I always recommend Ovafit’s Metabolism Plus. This bundle targets three major metabolic roadblocks behind PCOS: insulin resistance, chronic inflammation, and nutrient deficiencies. It also includes omega-3 fatty acids, which are well known for helping lower inflammation and triglyceride levels.
There’s absolutely no shame in using supplements to support your healing journey. Think of them as tools that help your body get back into balance faster.
Take control of your PCOS body and start finding balance with Ovafit!
Receiving blood test results that show you have high cholesterol shouldn’t frighten you. However, it should jumpstart lifestyle and diet changes to lower cholesterol and focus on healing your PCOS naturally. The good news? Ovafit has PCOS supplements that can help do both!
We offer NSF-certified supplements that help address the root issues of PCOS, so you can balance your hormones and reverse PCOS for good.
Some of my favorite (and top recommended) supplements for Cysters include:
- Berberine Advanced – a natural GLP-1 booster to improve insulin sensitivity and promote weight loss
- Inositol Complete 40:1 – a formulated powder to improve egg quality, ovulation, balance hormones, and manage insulin resistance
- Metabolism Plus – boost your metabolism by lowering inflammation and balancing hormones
- MetaMulti Vitamin – fill essential nutrient gaps for cycle regularity and stable energy levels
And don’t forget to join our community over on The Cysterhood app for daily recommendations, recipes, and workouts. We’re here to support your PCOS healing journey every step of the way.