A hormonal disorder in which a woman’s ovaries are enlarged and contain many small painless cysts, hair growth is excessive, acne develops and infertility may occur.
A syndrome characterized by menstrual irregularities, hyperandrogenism, infertility, polycystic ovaries, and (sometimes) obesity, glucose intolerance, mild to moderate acne, hirsutism, and hyperpigmentation. Not all of the latter characteristics are present in all females with PCOS.
A disorder characterized by scanty (or absent) menstruation, infertility, hirsutism (excessive hairiness) and obesity. Sufferers often have multiple cysts in their ovaries.
A condition formerly referred to as Stein–Leventhal syndrome is marked by the presence of multiple ovarian cysts, irregular or absent menstrual periods, decreased fertility, excessive hair growth, and obesity. While most women with this condition start menstruating at a typical age, their periods tend to become erratic between the ages of 15 and 30 and eventually stop. Approximately half of these women experience excessive hair growth and obesity.
It is now believed that the condition stems from insulin resistance, which causes an overproduction of insulin. This condition is linked to elevated levels of androgen hormones, which result in the observed symptoms. There may also be a genetic component to polycystic ovary syndrome.
A diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome is determined by the patient’s medical history, hormone level tests, and an ultrasound of the ovaries. The choice of treatment varies depending on the patient’s primary concerns about the condition. Losing weight often alleviates many of the symptoms and can lead to the resumption of regular menstrual cycles. Metformin, a medication for blood sugar regulation, can be prescribed to address insulin resistance and assist with weight loss. Excessive hair growth can be treated with anti-androgen medications like cyproterone, while fertility issues are often addressed with the anti-estrogen drug clomifene, which has proven to be effective.
Over time, women with polycystic ovary syndrome face a heightened risk of developing diabetes mellitus, both during pregnancy and later in life. Obesity in these women can amplify the chances of atherosclerosis and high blood pressure. Additionally, elevated oestrogen levels might raise the risk of endometrial cancer.