Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes harmless cysts in the ovaries and also causes other symptoms. PCOS is caused by certain hormones being out of balance. The word "syndrome" means a group of symptoms. Women with PCOS have no periods, irregular periods, or very long periods.
A woman's ovaries are where her eggs are stored. Each egg is in a capsule called a follicle. Each month, one follicle grows to produce a mature egg. This egg is released (ovulation) and the follicle dissolves.
With polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the chemicals (hormones) that control ovulation are out of balance. These include estrogen, androgen, and lutenizing hor-mone. As a result, ovulation may not occur. Instead, the follicle stays enlarged. This is a cyst (fluid-filled sac). Over time, the ovaries fill with many cysts. This is why they are called "poly" (many) "cystic" ovaries. In some women, the ovaries also make too many male hormones.
Women with PCOS may also have one or more of these symptoms:
Trouble getting pregnant (fertility problems)
Weight gain
Acne
Hair growth on the face and other parts of the body
If it is not treated, PCOS may also increase a woman's risk for breast cancer and cancer of the uterine lining.
Date Last Reviewed: 2004-10-21T00:00:00-06:00
Date Last Modified: 2002-07-09T00:00:00-06:00
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