http://www.mayoclinic.

org/diseases-conditions/pcos/basics/symptoms/con20028841

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Definition
By Mayo Clinic Staf

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine system disorder among

women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have enlarged ovaries that contain
small collections of fluid called follicles located in each ovary as seen during an
ultrasound exam.
Infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne, and obesity can all
occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. In adolescents, infrequent or absent
menstruation may raise suspicion for the condition.
The exact cause of polycystic ovary syndrome is unknown. Early diagnosis and
treatment along with weight loss may reduce the risk of long-term complications, such
as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic Staf
Polycystic ovary syndrome signs and symptoms often begin soon after a woman first
begins having periods (menarche). In some cases, PCOS develops later during the
reproductive years, for instance, in response to substantial weight gain.
PCOS has many signs things you or your doctor can see or measure and
symptoms things that you notice or feel. All of these can worsen with obesity. Every
woman with PCOS may be afected a little diferently.

To be diagnosed with the condition, your doctor looks for at least two of the following:

Irregular periods. This is the most common characteristic. Examples include

menstrual intervals longer than 35 days; fewer than eight menstrual cycles a year;
failure to menstruate for four months or longer; and prolonged periods that may be
scant or heavy.

Excess androgen. Elevated levels of male hormones (androgens) may result in

physical signs, such as excess facial and body hair (hirsutism), adult acne or severe
adolescent acne, and male-pattern baldness (androgenic alopecia).

Polycystic ovaries. Polycystic ovaries become enlarged and contain numerous

small fluid-filled sacs which surround the eggs.

When to see a doctor

See your doctor if you have concerns about your menstrual periods, if you're
experiencing infertility or if you have signs of androgen excess such as acne and malepattern hair growth.

Causes
By Mayo Clinic Staf
Doctors don't know what causes polycystic ovary syndrome, but these factors may play
a role:

Excess insulin. Insulin is the hormone produced in the pancreas that allows
cells to use sugar (glucose) your body's primary energy supply. If you have insulin
resistance, your ability to use insulin efectively is impaired, and your pancreas has to
secrete more insulin to make glucose available to cells. Excess insulin might also
afect the ovaries by increasing androgen production, which may interfere with the
ovaries' ability to ovulate.

Low-grade inflammation. Your body's white blood cells produce substances to

fight infection in a response called inflammation. Research has shown that women
with PCOS have low-grade inflammation and that this type of low-grade inflammation
stimulates polycystic ovaries to produce androgens.

Heredity. If your mother or sister has PCOS, you might have a greater chance of
having it, too. Researchers also are looking into the possibility that certain genes are
linked to PCOS.

Complications
By Mayo Clinic Staf
Having polycystic ovary syndrome may make the following conditions more likely,
especially if obesity also is a factor:

Type 2 diabetes

High blood pressure

Cholesterol and lipid abnormalities, such as elevated triglycerides or low highdensity lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, the "good" cholesterol

Metabolic syndrome a cluster of signs and symptoms that indicate a

significantly increased risk of cardiovascular disease

Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis a severe liver inflammation caused by fat

accumulation in the liver

Infertility

Sleep apnea

Depression and anxiety

Abnormal uterine bleeding

Cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer), caused by exposure to

continuous high levels of estrogen
Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000369.htm