It’s important to remember that you can be diagnosed if you present with two of the symptoms, meaning that your irregular periods combined with weight gain or excessive hair growth could be enough, provided other causes of menstrual disturbance and hyperandrogenism have been excluded, notes Dr Watson.

Other symptoms can include fertility issues, weight gain, thinning hair or hair loss and oily skin or acne. According to the NHS, if you do have signs or symptoms of PCOS, these will usually become apparent during your teens or early 20s, and you’ll need at least one medical test to be diagnosed, alongside physical symptoms – usually a blood test showing higher levels of androgen hormones, and/or an ultrasound scan showing the presence of cysts.

The key word here is ‘syndrome’

“Remember PCOS is a syndrome, which means it’s a condition characterised by a set of associated symptoms,” advises Dr Sesay. “The hormonal imbalances will cause a variety of symptoms, which can include irregular, heavy, painful periods; weight gain; excessive hair growth, and so on.”

Polycystic ovaries v polycystic ovarian syndrome: how to spot the signs and know the difference