Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
polycystic; ovary; infertility; PCOS; cystic; puberty; periods;
Contents
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an inherited disorder that affects girls and women of childbearing age. It causes many abnormal cysts (fluid filled 'balloon'-like structures) to develop in ovaries that are larger than usual. The ovaries do not produce the normal number of eggs and do not release the eggs (ovulate) normally. The ovaries also produce more of some hormones (such as the 'male' sex hormone androgen) which cause some of the health problems.
The cysts start to form before a girl is born, but PCOS does not cause symptoms until the girl reaches puberty. About 5% to 8% of women have PCOS. PCOS is the most common reason that some women have difficulty getting pregnant. PCOS often is inherited - other women in the family may have also had PCOS.
Having PCOS can be hard on a girl's self-esteem because some of the symptoms, such as skin and hair problems, and weight gain, are so noticeable.
Signs that a woman may have PCOS
Girls and women with PCOS have irregular periods (periods that come less often than normal), or sometimes they have no periods. Most young women have irregular periods in the first year or so after periods start, but women with PCOS continue to have irregular periods. They may also have more blood loss than usual during a period.
Other signs of PCOS include:
- more severe acne than other girls
- not being able to get pregnant
- high blood pressure
- obesity
- more hair on their face and body (hirsutism - 'her-suit-ism')
- thin scalp hair.
Women with PCOS are also more likely to develop diabetes later in life.
Diagnosis and testing
A doctor will ask:
- whether a woman has had irregular or absent menstrual periods
- if the woman is trying to get pregnant but is not being successful.
Tests that might be done:
- ultrasound examination of the ovaries (looking for many cysts) - an ultrasound test is the same sort of test that is used before a baby is born to see if the baby is developing normally.
- blood tests to look at the level of several hormones that the ovaries make, such as the 'male' hormone androgen
- blood pressure checks
- screening for diabetes.
Treatment
PCOS cannot be cured, but treatment can change some of the problems of PCOS.
- Oral contraceptives (birth control pills) regulate menstrual periods (make them happen regularly and control the amount of bleeding) and lower the amount of androgen that is made. Androgen causes excess body and facial hair growth.
- Treatment with medication can be successful if a woman with PCOS wants to get pregnant.
- Some other medication might help decrease the amount of hair on the body and face, but often women have to use other means to reduce the amount of hair, such as plucking, shaving, or waxing. Laser treatments and prescription creams may also be useful.
- Weight loss and exercise can help to manage diabetes and high blood pressure and reduce risk of development of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Weight loss and exercise may also help prevent type-2 diabetes.
- Medications may be prescribed to control blood pressure.
- Stopping smoking reduces risk of cardiac disease.
Resource
Australia
Further reading
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).