Health A to Z

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) 

PCOS or Polycystic ovary syndrome impacts how a woman’s ovaries work. Primarily, it can lead 
to irregular periods, excessive androgen, and polycystic ovaries.  
 
∙Irregular periods: Ovaries will not release eggs (ovulation) regularly 
∙Excessive androgen: Will increase the “male” hormones in the body, which can lead to 
physical signs like excess body or facial hair 
∙Polycystic ovaries: The ovaries will become enlarged and contain many follicles (fluid–
filled sacs) that surround the egg 
 
One should have at least two of these features to diagnose PCOS. 

Polycystic ovaries

Polycystic ovaries contain many harmless follicles up to 8mm in size. The follicles are underdeveloped sacs that help eggs to develop.

During PCOS, these sacs often cannot release eggs, leading to a lack of ovulation. There is no detailed survey on how many women have PCOS, but India ranges from 3.7% to 22.5%, depending on the population.

Polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms

In case you have PCOS, the symptoms will be evident around your late teens or early 20s. They include:

Polycystic ovary syndrome symptoms

  • Irregular periods or no periods at all
  • Difficulty getting pregnant
  • Hirsutism (excessive hair growth on the face, check, and back)
  • Weight gain
  • Hair loss or hair thinning
  • Acne or oily skin 

PCOS can also increase the risk factors of developing health problems, like type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol levels

Polycystic ovary syndrome causes

The cause of PCOS is unknown, but it usually runs in genetics.

It’s connected with abnormal body hormone levels, including high insulin levels. Insulin helps to control body sugar levels. When women undergo PCOS, their bodies will produce higher insulin levels to overcome; this contributes to increased activity and production of hormones such as testosterone.

Being obese or overweight can also increase your body’s insulin production.

Polycystic ovary syndrome treatments

There is no particular medicine or cure for PCOS, but the symptoms are treatable. Consult a doctor if you think you might have the condition.

If you are overweight and have PCOS, maintaining a healthy BMI with a balanced diet can improve some symptoms.

There are medications to treat symptoms like excessive hair growth, fertility problems, and irregular periods. If fertility medications are ineffective, the doctor might recommend laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD), a simple surgical procedure.

Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022