Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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 have obesity 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

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Diagnosis and Tests

• Anti-Müllerian Hormone Test National Library of Medicine
• How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome National Institutes of Health

Find an Expert

• Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• Find an Ob-Gyn American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

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 Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• NICHD Research Networks Help Piece Together the Puzzle of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Related Issues

• Hirsutism and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome American Society for Reproductive Medicine
• Insulin-Sensitizing Agents and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome American Society for Reproductive Medicine
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and Diabetes Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

NIH MedlinePlus Magazine

• Managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
• Pushing Through Life with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome)

Reference Desk

• Normal Female Reproductive Anatomy National Cancer Institute

Teenagers

• PCOS: The Oral Contraceptive Pill Boston Children’s Hospital
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (For Teens) Nemours Foundation
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Teens: A Guide for Parents and Guardians Boston Children’s Hospital
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): General Information Boston Children’s Hospital

Patient Handouts

• Polycystic ovary disease Medical Encyclopedia

Start Here

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women’s Health

Genetics

• Polycystic ovary syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Journal Articles

• Polycystic ovary syndrome

Treatments and Therapies

• Treatments to Relieve Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Symptoms

• What Are the Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development