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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
Symptoms
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What Are the Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
Diagnosis and Tests
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How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
Treatments and Therapies
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Treatments to Relieve Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
Related Issues
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Are There Disorders or Conditions Associated with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?
(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
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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
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Treatments for Infertility Resulting from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
Genetics
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Genetics Home Reference: familial partial lipodystrophy
(National Library of Medicine)
Statistics and Research
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Drug Improves Birth Rates for Women with Ovary Disorder
(National Institutes of Health)
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Gene Linked to Excess Male Hormones in Female Infertility Disorder
(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
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NICHD Research Networks Help Piece Together the Puzzle of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
(National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal ArticlesReferences and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Cardiovascular system diseases in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome -...
- Article: Chinese herbal medicine for subfertile women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.
- Article: Fresh versus Frozen Embryos for Infertility in the Polycystic Ovary...
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome -- see more articles
Reference Desk
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Normal Female Reproductive Anatomy
(National Cancer Institute)
Find an Expert
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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