Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

On this page

Basics

• Summary
• Start Here
• Symptoms
• Diagnosis and Tests
• Treatments and Therapies

Learn More

• Related Issues
• Genetics

See, Play and Learn

• No links available

Research

• Statistics and Research
• Clinical Trials
• Journal Articles

Resources

• Find an Expert

For You

• Teenagers
• Patient Handouts

Summary

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) happens when a woman's ovaries or adrenal glands produce more male hormones than normal. PCOS causes cysts (fluid-filled sacs) to grow on the ovaries. Symptoms include:

• Irregular menstrual periods
• Infertility
• Pelvic pain
• Excess hair growth on the face, chest, stomach, or thighs
• Weight gain
• Acne or oily skin
• Patches of thickened skin

Women with PCOS are at higher risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, and high blood pressure.

PCOS is more common in women who have obesity or have a mother or sister with PCOS. To diagnose PCOS, your health care provider may do a physical exam, pelvic exam, blood tests, and an ultrasound.

There is no cure, but diet, exercise, and medicines can help control the symptoms. Birth control pills help women have normal periods, reduce male hormone levels, and clear acne. Treatments for infertility caused by PCOS may include medicines, surgery, and in vitro fertilization (IVF).

NIH: National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

Start Here

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health) Also in Spanish

Symptoms

• What Are the Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

• Anti-Müllerian Hormone Test (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
• How Do Health Care Providers Diagnose Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish

Treatments and Therapies

• Treatments to Relieve Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish

Related Issues

• Does PCOS Affect Pregnancy? (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development) Also in Spanish
• Hirsutism and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (American Society for Reproductive Medicine)
• Insulin-Sensitizing Agents and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (American Society for Reproductive Medicine)
• PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and Diabetes (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish

Genetics

• Polycystic ovary syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics (National Library of Medicine)

Statistics and Research

• Drug Improves Birth Rates for Women with Ovary Disorder (National Institutes of Health)
• Gene Linked to Excess Male Hormones in Female Infertility Disorder (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)
• NICHD Research Networks Help Piece Together the Puzzle of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development)

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (National Institutes of Health)

Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)

• Article: Maternal serum levels of prokineticin-1 related to pregnancy complications and metformin...
• Article: The effect of calorie-restriction along with thylakoid membranes of spinach on...
• Article: Clomiphene citrate plus letrozole versus clomiphene citrate alone for ovulation induction...
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome -- see more articles

Find an Expert

• Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health Also in Spanish
• Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Also in Spanish
• Find an Ob-Gyn (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)

Teenagers

• PCOS: The Oral Contraceptive Pill (Boston Children's Hospital)
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (For Teens) (Nemours Foundation)
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Teens: A Guide for Parents and Guardians (Boston Children's Hospital) Also in Spanish
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): General Information (Boston Children's Hospital) Also in Spanish

Patient Handouts

• Polycystic ovary syndrome (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish