Research

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Stein-Leventhal Syndrome and Hyperandrogenic Anovulation are all terms attempting to label a group of symptoms that appear to be related to one another. The primary symptoms include menstrual irregularities, hirsutism (increased body and facial hair), acne and infertility. PCOS is a very common condition among women, up to 10% of women may be affected with some form of this syndrome. Despite its high incidence, the long-term effects of this syndrome are only now beginning to be understood.

What causes PCOS?

Most women with PCOS have a characteristic appearance to their ovaries, known as polycystic ovaries. These consist of multiple small “cysts” or follicles less than 1/2 inch in diameter that form in the ovary.  During the normal maturation process of a woman’s egg (ovum), the egg develops within a cyst inside the ovary. The rupture of the follicle and release of the mature ovum is called ovulation. The multiple small cysts seen in the polycystic ovary are the result of eggs that only partially develop within the ovary. It is thought that a slight elevation of male hormones may inhibit the egg’s development. The egg’s failure to mature leads to a lack of ovulation (anovulation) in women with PCOS.