Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Also called: PCOS, Stein-Leventhal Syndrome

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Basics

Summary
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Symptoms
Diagnosis and Tests
Treatments and Therapies

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Related Issues
Genetics

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Summary

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) happens when a woman's ovaries or adrenal glands produce more male hormones than normal. PCOS causes cysts (fluid-filled sacs) to grow on the ovaries. Symptoms include

Irregular menstrual periods
Infertility
Pelvic pain
Excess hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, or thighs
Weight gain
Acne or oily skin
Patches of thickened skin

Women with PCOS are at higher risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

PCOS is more common in women who are obese, or have a mother or sister with PCOS. To diagnose PCOS, your health care provider may do a physical exam, pelvic exam, blood tests, and an ultrasound.

There is no cure, but diet, exercise, and medicines can help control the symptoms. Birth control pills help women have normal periods, reduce male hormone levels, and clear acne. Treatments for infertility caused by PCOS may include medicines, surgery, and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Fact Sheet (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome FAQ (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) - PDF Also in Spanish

Symptoms

What Are the Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

Treatments to Relieve Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish

Related Issues

Are There Disorders or Conditions Associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
Does PCOS affect pregnancy? (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
Hirsutism and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) - PDF
Insulin-Sensitizing Agents and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (American Society for Reproductive Medicine) - PDF Also in Spanish
Treatments for Infertility Resulting from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish

Genetics

Genetics Home Reference: familial partial lipodystrophy (National Library of Medicine)

Statistics and Research

Drug Improves Birth Rates for Women with Ovary Disorder (National Institutes of Health)
Gene Linked to Excess Male Hormones in Female Infertility Disorder (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
NICHD Research Networks Help Piece Together the Puzzle of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)

Clinical Trials

ClinicalTrials.gov: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (National Institutes of Health)

Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

Reference Desk

Normal Female Reproductive Anatomy (National Cancer Institute)

Find an Expert

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Also in Spanish
womenshealth.gov (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health) Also in Spanish

Teenagers

Oral Contraceptive Pill and PCOS (Children's Hospital Boston)
PCOS: What Teens Need to Know (Hormone Health Network) Also in Spanish
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (For Teens) (Nemours Foundation)
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Teens: A Guide for Parents and Guardians (Children's Hospital Boston) Also in Spanish
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): A Guide for Teens (Children's Hospital Boston) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

Polycystic ovary disease (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish

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MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA

Polycystic ovary disease

National Institutes of Health

The primary NIH organization for research on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

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