How to Spot Fake PCOS Advice Online
PCOS advice hasn't changed in 30 years - and now women's health content is being censored. Here's how to cut through the noise.
Quick reality check: PCOS advice hasn't changed for more than 30 years.
Take the pill and come back when you want to have a baby, best if you lose weight in the meantime too.
It’s not simple. We live in a complex system - the way research is funded, how long it takes, how policy is written, who holds power, and what culture normalises.
Our environment praises lean bodies, clear skin, lush long hair, and happy smiling families. Kind of a struggle for women with PCOS who may deal with weight gain, acne, hirsutism, hair loss, or infertility - or maybe they don’t want children at all, in which case they’re given the pill and never guided toward better options.
Naturally, the world won’t change if we don’t speak about it. That’s why Cyster Health exists - consider sharing it with someone who cares about it too 🩵
Now, let’s talk about noise. There’s the noise we need to cut through, and the noise we need to make.
First, I’ve developed a 5W framework to cut through the noise and help you evaluate health advice. While tailored for PCOS here, you can apply it to any health information you come across.
Second, I cover the recent uproar around censorship of women’s health content on the internet, and what we can do to create more noise around it.
Let’s dive in!
Cutting Through the Noise: A 5W Framework for Evaluating Information
The internet is a goldmine of information - but let’s be real, not all of it is reliable. This BBC article - Influencers Selling Fake Cures for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - not only pushed me to start Cyster Health, but also highlighted just how much false PCOS content is floating around online, which is why critical evaluation is key to managing your health with confidence.
I’ve adapted the 5W framework - WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN, WHY - that can help you cut through the noise.
1. WHO is behind the information?
Before trusting an article, social media post, or video, ask yourself:
🔍 Who is this person? – Are they a doctor, researcher, or registered dietitian? Or someone sharing their personal experience?
💰 Are they selling ? – If someone is pushing a product, they may be more interested in making money than sharing science-backed advice.
🚩 If someone is promoting ‘a single cure for PCOS’, proceed with caution!
2. WHAT is being claimed?
PCOS is a complex condition with no single cure. Be wary of:
🚨 Big promises: “Reverse your PCOS in 30 days!” sounds great, but it’s unrealistic.
🚨 One-size-fits-all advice: PCOS affects people differently (check out my previous blog about it), so what works for one person might not work for everyone.
🚨 Scare tactics: “If you don’t do this one thing, your symptoms will get worse!” -fear-based marketing is a red flag.
What to trust: Look for sources that provide balanced information, including both benefits and limitations of a treatment.
3. WHERE is this information coming from?
Make sure to check out the source of the information - you can usually trust:
Medical institutions
Research journals
Reputable PCOS organisations
Experts with credentials
🚩 Red flags:
No citations or references
Promotion of a product without medical backing
4. WHEN was the information published?
Although PCOS is one of the most under-researched conditions, research is constantly evolving - so make sure the information is still relevant!
📅 Check the date. If an article is more than 5 years old, cross-check it with newer sources.
🔄 Look for updates. Reliable health websites regularly update their information as new research emerges.
5. WHY is this information being shared?
Every piece of content has an agenda - some are educational, while others are designed to sell or scare. Ask yourself:
💰 Is this about profit? If a post is pushing a single diet, supplement, or program, there may be financial motivation behind it.
🎭 Is it overly dramatic? Sensationalised headlines (“PCOS sufferers MUST avoid dairy!”) are often more about engagement than truth.
🎯 Does it align with scientific research? Good health advice is backed by studies, not just opinions.
Next time you see a new TikTok trend or a miracle cure - take a moment to evaluate it using the 5W framework and always consult a healthcare professional for advice tailored to you.
Dear Meta, we will not shut up
ICYMI last week - Bellamoon (advertising their pregnancy pillow) and Hertility (hormonal at-home tests) shared how Meta’s ad policies blocked posts and ads about pregnancy, menopause, and infertility. Meanwhile, men’s erection supplements keep thriving and popping up all over Meta’s platforms.
Let that sink in. Information about women’s biological functions is being censored while male sexual health products run freely. It’s frustrating, it’s discriminatory, and it’s absolutely not normal.
Here’s what you can do:
📢 Share your experience if you’ve ever been silenced too - on your personal platforms, with journalists, and industry. Use platforms that don’t silence you.
✍️ Sign the CensHERship open letter to draw the attention of policymakers, social media platforms, investors, and industry leaders.
We can only make enough noise to change this pattern if we do it together.