Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)

What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, also known as PCOS, typically affects women during their reproductive years. This condition is a common endocrine system disorder characterised by:

Enlarged ovaries, polycystic ovaries

Women with PCOS have enlarged ovaries or ovarian cysts, often with multiple cysts present (hence the name ‘polycystic’ ovaries), that each contain follicles (small accumulations of fluid). Typically, these can be seen during an ultrasound scan.

Hormonal imbalance

With this condition, sex hormones (androgens, such as testosterone) in a woman’s body are out of balance, causing follicles to develop. These hormones, as well as oestrogen and progesterone cause the ovaries to enlarge, forming benign masses (follicles). The fluid-filled follicles in the ovaries don’t break open, and thus affect the ability of mature eggs to be released. Instead, the eggs band together and form tiny cysts or fluid-filled follicles which resemble a string of pearls when viewed on an ultrasound .

One hormone change affects another, and another. As a condition, the effects of this cause an imbalance in a woman’s menstrual cycle (interfering with the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries), her fertility, physical appearance and even cardiac function.

Irregular Periods

A woman with polycystic ovarian syndrome will often experience extended or sporadic (sometimes absent) menstrual periods (a monthly cycle whereby a woman’s ovaries release eggs during ovulation to prepare the uterus for pregnancy), abnormal hair growth (abnormal body hair and facial hair, medically termed hirsutism), acne, and even excessive weight gain (obesity) as a result of enlarged ovaries.

It is not entirely clear why this happens, but PCOS can be successfully treated when picked up early, reducing the risk of long-term complications, such as heart disease and even diabetes (type 2) which can happen with excessive weight gain.

PCOS is a fairly common hormonal condition for many woman of childbearing age around the world, affecting between 5 and 10% of the global female population, and is a frequent cause of infertility.