Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome
Other names	Hyperandrogenic anovulation (HA),[1] Stein-Leventhal syndrome[2]
A polycystic ovary
Specialty	Gynecology, endocrinology
Symptoms	Irregular menstrual periods, heavy periods, excess hair, acne, pelvic pain, difficulty getting pregnant, patches of thick, darker, velvety skin[3]
Complications	Type 2 diabetes, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disease, mood disorders, endometrial cancer[4]
Duration	Long term[5]
Causes	Genetic and environmental factors[6][7]
Risk factors	Obesity, not enough exercise, family history[8]
Diagnostic method	Based on anovulation, high androgen levels, ovarian cysts[4]
Differential diagnosis	Adrenal hyperplasia, hypothyroidism, high blood levels of prolactin[9]
Treatment	Weight loss, exercise[10][11]
Medication	Birth control pills, metformin, GLP-1, anti-androgens[12]
Frequency	2% to 20% of women of childbearing age[8][13]

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age.^[14] The syndrome is named after cysts which form on the ovaries of some women with this condition, though this is not a universal symptom, and not the underlying cause of the disorder.^[15][16]

Women with PCOS may experience irregular menstrual periods, heavy periods, excess hair, acne, pelvic pain, difficulty getting pregnant, and patches of thick, darker, velvety skin.^[3] The primary characteristics of this syndrome include: hyperandrogenism, anovulation, insulin resistance, and neuroendocrine disruption.^[17]

A review of international evidence found that the prevalence of PCOS could be as high as 26% among some populations, though ranges between 4% and 18% are reported for general populations.^[18][19][20]

The exact cause of PCOS remains uncertain, and treatment involves management of symptoms using medication.^[19]