Why? Because insulin tells the ovaries to produce more testosterone (the male sex hormone). On top of that, with too much insulin, the natural conversion from male to female hormones that usually takes place is hampered—which leads to even more testosterone in the body. Because of the excess testosterone, women suffering from PCOS display masculine traits: hair in places where they don’t want hair (such as the chin), baldness, irregular or missed periods, or acne. Ovaries can also retain and accumulate eggs, stopping ovulation.
