Experiences with
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
If you have signs and symptoms of PCOS, they'll usually become apparent during your late teens or early 20s.
They can include:
- irregular periods or no periods at all
- difficulty getting pregnant as a result of irregular ovulation or no ovulation
- excessive hair growth (hirsutism) – usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks
- weight gain
- thinning hair and hair loss from the head
- oily skin or acne
PCOS is also associated with an increased risk of developing health problems in later life, such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol levels.
What causes polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but it often runs in families.
It's related to abnormal hormone levels in the body, including high levels of insulin.
Insulin is a hormone that controls sugar levels in the body.
Many women with PCOS are resistant to the action of insulin in their body and produce higher levels of insulin to overcome this.
This contributes to the increased production and activity of hormones like testosterone.
Being overweight or obese also increases the amount of insulin your body produces.
Treating polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
There's no cure for PCOS, but the symptoms can be treated. Speak to a GP if you think you may have the condition.
If you have PCOS and you're overweight, losing weight and eating a healthy, balanced diet can make some symptoms better.
Medicines are also available to treat symptoms such as excessive hair growth, irregular periods and fertility problems.
If fertility medicines are not effective, a simple surgical procedure called laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD) may be recommended.
This involves using heat or a laser to destroy the tissue in the ovaries that's producing androgens, such as testosterone.
With treatment, most women with PCOS are able to get pregnant.
SymptomsMedical treatmentsCausesSymptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome include irregular periods, facial hair and difficulty getting pregnant.
The main treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome is medicines for things like hair growth and irregular periods. Keeping a healthy weight also helps.
It's not clear what causes polycystic ovary syndrome, but it's thought to be linked to hormone problems.
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