Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Contents of this Article
What is PCOS?
Polycystic (Pronounced - pah-lee-SIS-tik) ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, ability to have children, hormones, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. With PCOS, women typically have:
- High levels of androgens (Pronounced - AN-druh-junz). These are sometimes called male hormones, although females also make them.
- Missed or irregular periods.
- Many small cysts (Pronounced - sists) in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.
How Many Women Have PCOS?
About one in ten women of childbearing age has PCOS. It can occur in girls as young as 11 years old. PCOS is the most common cause of female infertility (not being able to get pregnant).
What Causes PCOS?
The cause of PCOS is unknown. Most researchers think that more than one factor could play a role in developing PCOS. Genes are thought to be one factor. Most researchers think that PCOS runs in families. Women with PCOS tend to have a mother or sister with PCOS. Still, there is no proof that PCOS is inherited.
Researchers also think insulin could be linked to PCOS. Insulin is a hormone that controls the change of sugar, starches, and other food into energy for the body to use or store. For many women with PCOS, their bodies have problems using insulin so that too much insulin is in the body. Excess insulin appears to increase production of androgen. This hormone is made in fat cells, the ovaries, and the adrenal gland. Levels of androgen that are higher than normal can lead to acne, excessive hair growth, weight gain, and problems with ovulation.
References:
1) U.S. Department of Health & Human Services - April 2007 - www.4woman.gov
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