Polycystic ovary syndrome is a condition in which a woman has an imbalance of a female sex hormones. This may lead to menstrual cycle changes, cysts in the ovaries, trouble getting pregnant, and other health changes.
PCOS is linked to changes in the level of certain hormones:
Estrogen and progesterone, the female hormones that help a woman's ovaries release eggs
Androgen, a male hormone found in small amounts in women
It is not completely understood why or how the changes in the hormone levels occur. The changes make it harder for a woman's ovaries to release fully grown (mature) eggs. Normally, one or more eggs are released during a woman's period. This is called ovulation. In PCOS, mature eggs are not released from the ovaries. Instead, they can form very small cysts in the ovary.
These changes can contribute to infertility. The other symptoms of this disorder are due to the hormone imbalances.
Most of the time, PCOS is diagnosed in women in their 20s or 30s. However, it may also affect teenage girls. The symptoms often begin when a girl's periods start. Women with this disorder often have a mother or sister who has symptoms similar to those of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Symptoms
Symptoms of PCOS include changes in your period (menstrual cycle). Some changes are:
Weight gain and obesity is common in women with PCOS. Losing weight can help treat the hormone changes and health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.
Losing just 5% of your body weight can help your hormone imbalance and may make it easier to get pregnant. For an 160 pound woman, that's just 8 pounds!
Your doctor may recommend birth control pills to make your periods more regular. Such medicines may also help reduce abnormal hair growth after you take them for a few months.
A diabetes medicine called glucophage (metformin) may also be recommended to:
Make your periods regular
Prevent type 2 diabetes
Help you loss weight when you follow a healthy diet
Other medicines that may be prescribed to help make your periods regular and help you get pregnant are:
LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogs
Clomiphene citrate, which helps your ovaries grow and release eggs
Your doctor or nurse may also suggest other treatments for abnormal hair growth. Some are:
Spironolactone or flutamide pills
Eflornithine cream
Permanent hair removal options include:
Electrolysis
Laser hair removal - works best on very dark hair that covers large areas
Treatments can expensive and multiple treatments may be needed.
A pelvic laparoscopy may be done to remove to remove or alter an ovary to treat infertility. The effects are temporary.
Expectations (prognosis)
With treatment, women with PCOS are usually able to get pregnant. There is an increased risk of high blood pressure and gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Complications
Women with PCOS are more likely to develop:
Endometrial cancer
Infertility
Breast cancer
(slightly increased risk)
Calling your health care provider
Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of this disorder.
References
Bulun SE, Adashi EY. The physiology and pathology of the female reporductive axis. In: Kronenberg HM, Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 17.
Radosh L. Drug treatments for polycystic ovary syndrome. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79:671-676.
Review Date:
2/26/2012
Reviewed By:
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director and Director of Didactic Curriculum, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Bellevue, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
