How we use evidence

Evidence policy

The evidence hierarchy and claim standards used by Balance for PCOS health content.

Last updated: 2026-08-15

Source hierarchy

We prefer evidence that is current, directly relevant to PCOS and appropriate to the strength of the claim.

  • Clinical guidelines and consensus statements
  • Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  • Randomized controlled trials
  • High-quality observational research
  • Authoritative public-health and academic sources
  • Early or indirect research, clearly labeled as limited

Claim standards

A citation does not automatically make a claim reliable. We consider study design, sample size, population, conflicts, consistency and whether the result applies to people with PCOS.

  • We do not claim that a food, supplement or app cures or reverses PCOS.
  • Dosage, diagnosis and medication claims require a higher review threshold.
  • Animal, laboratory and non-PCOS studies are not described as direct clinical proof.
  • Uncertainty and conflicting evidence are stated plainly.

Sources and freshness

Sources should be linked close to the relevant claim or collected in a clearly labeled source section. We reassess time-sensitive medical pages when guidance changes and display a reviewed or updated date when a substantive check occurs.