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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
(PCOS; Stein Leventhal Syndrome; Polyfollicular Ovarian Appearance; Hyperandrogenic Anovulation; Polycystic Ovarian Disease; PCO; PCOD)
Definition
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormone problem in women. With PCOS, the ovaries make follicles but they don’t mature and release an egg each month. The follicles can turn into fluid-filled sacs called
cysts
.
| Ovary and Fallopian Tube |
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Causes
The cause is not known. Insulin resistance seems to play a role. It creates high levels of insulin. This causes the ovaries to make too much of a male hormone called androgen. This can result in male features. It can stop ovulation from happening. It can lead to large ovaries with many cysts.
Symptoms
Some women may not have symptoms. If you do, they may be:
- Inability to become pregnant
- Irregular or no menstrual periods
- Obesity
- Undesired hair growth
- Hair loss from the scalp
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. A physical exam will be done.
You may have:
- An ultrasound to view your ovaries
- Blood tests to measure glucose, cholesterol, and hormone levels
- Urine tests to check for pregnancy.
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to target insulin resistance. The treatment you have depends on whether you want to become pregnant. You may need:
-
Medicine to:
- Manage abnormal hair growth
- Treat acne
- Improve insulin resistance
- Bring on ovulation if you want to become pregnant
- Regulate menstruation
-
Lifestyle changes:
- Weight loss if you are overweight
- Healthy eating
- Exercise
RESOURCES
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
http://www.acog.org
http://www.acog.org
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association
http://www.pcosupport.org
http://www.pcosupport.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC)
http://sogc.org
http://sogc.org
Women's Health Matters
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca
http://www.womenshealthmatters.ca
References
ACOG Committee on Practice Bulletins—Gynecology.
ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 108: Polycystic ovary syndrome.
Obstet Gynecol. 2009;114(4):936-949.
Reaffirmed 2015.
Baillargeon JP. Use of insulin sensitizers in polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Curr Opin Invetig Drugs. 2005:6(10):1012-1022.
Glintborg D, Altinok ML, Mumm H, et al. Body composition is improved during 12 months' treatment with metformin alone or combined with oral contraceptives compared with treatment with oral contraceptives in polycystic ovary syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2014;99(7):2584-2591.
Li XJ, Yu YX, Liu CQ, et al. Metformin vs thiazolidinediones for treatment of clinical, hormonal and metabolic characteristics of polycystic ovary syndrome: A meta-analysis. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2011;74(3):332-339.
Polycystic ovary syndrome. American Academy of Family Physicians Family Doctor website. Available at:
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/polycystic-ovary-syndrome.html. Updated April 1, 2015. Accessed July 25, 2018.
Polycystic ovary syndrome. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at:
http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116286/Polycystic-ovary-syndrome
. Updated June 18, 2018. Accessed July 25, 2018.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Endocrine Society Hormone Health Network website. Available at:
http://www.hormone.org/diseases-and-conditions/womens-health/polycystic-ovary-syndrome. Accessed July 25, 2018.
Stadmauer L, Oehninger S. Management of infertility in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A practical guide.
Treat Endocrinology. 2005;4(5):279-292.
Revision Information
- Reviewer: EBSCO Medical Review Board Kathleen A. Barry, MD
- Review Date: 05/2018
- Update Date: 07/25/2018
