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Eating low carb is one of the most effective treatments that consistently and reliably helps with weight loss, lowers insulin levels, and reverses insulin resistance.

Therefore, a low-carb diet should be considered as an option for any PCOS treatment plan.

Although there isn’t a lot of published research on low carb and PCOS, much of the available science shows great promise:

In 2005, researchers followed 11 women with PCOS as they went on a keto diet for six months. The five women who completed the study lost weight and improved their hormonal status and perceived amount of body hair. What’s more, two of the women became pregnant during the study, despite previous infertility problems.

A 2013 study found that even a very modest reduction in carbohydrates (41% of calories) can lead to significant improvements in weight, hormones and risk factors for women with PCOS.


A 2017 review of clinical trials found that low-carb diets tend to “reduce circulating insulin levels, improve hormonal imbalance and resume ovulation to improve pregnancy rates.”


A 2019 meta-analysis of randomized trials showed similar findings, concluding “proper control of carbohydrate intake provides beneficial effects on some aspects of PCOS and may represent one of the important interventions improving the clinical symptoms of affected patients.”

A 2020 study, 14 women with PCOS followed a ketogenic Mediterranean diet for 12 weeks. By the end of the study, they achieved lower blood glucose and insulin levels, improvements in reproductive hormone levels and function, reduction of heart disease risk factors, and an average weight loss of 20 pounds (9.4 kg).

Finally, a 2021 systematic review of RCTs concluded that dietary interventions improve PCOS symptoms, and low-carb is likely the best for fertility and restoring normal menstruation.

Beyond the scientific evidence discussed above, low carb’s benefits for women with PCOS are supported by the clinical experience of doctors who have used it with their patients.