What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome?

Medical Tips- Dr( Mrs) Pulkit Nandwani-Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

What is polycystic ovary syndrome?

PCOS is a condition that can affect your periods, fertility, hormones and aspects of your appearance. It can also affect your long-term health. Estimates of how many women it affects vary widely from 2 to 26 in every 100 women. This information is about the effects on your long-term health and does not cover specific treatment options for PCOS.

What are polycystic ovaries?

Polycystic ovaries are slightly larger than normal ovaries and have twice the number of follicles (fluid-filled spaces within the ovary that release the eggs when you ovulate).

Polycystic ovaries are very common affecting 20 in 100 (20%) of women. Having polycystic ovaries does not mean you have polycystic ovary syndrome. Around 6 or 7 in 100 (6–7%) of women with polycystic ovaries have PCOS.

 What are the symptoms of PCOS?

The symptoms of PCOS include:

• irregular periods or no periods at all

• an increase in facial or body hair (hirsutism)

• loss of hair on your head

• being overweight, experiencing a rapid increase in weight or having difficulty losing weight

• oily skin, acne

• difficulty becoming pregnant (reduced fertility).

Depression and psychological problems can also result from having PCOS.

The symptoms vary from woman to woman. Some women have very few mild symptoms, while others are affected more severely by a wider range of symptoms.

 PCOS is a cause of fertility problems in women.