Polycystic ovary syndrome
Set of symptoms caused by abnormal hormones in females / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Polycystic ovary syndrome, or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age.[14] The syndrome is named after cysts which form on the ovaries of some people with this condition, though this is not a universal symptom, and not the underlying cause of the disorder.[15][16]
Polycystic ovary syndrome | |
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Other names | Hyperandrogenic anovulation (HA),[1] Stein-Leventhal syndrome[2] |
A polycystic ovary | |
Specialty | Gynecology, endocrinology |
Symptoms | Irregular menstrual periods, heavy periods, excess hair, acne, pelvic pain, difficulty getting pregnant, patches of thick, darker, velvety skin[3] |
Complications | Type 2 diabetes, obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disease, mood disorders, endometrial cancer[4] |
Duration | Long term[5] |
Causes | Genetic and environmental factors[6][7] |
Risk factors | Obesity, not enough exercise, family history[8] |
Diagnostic method | Based on anovulation, high androgen levels, ovarian cysts[4] |
Differential diagnosis | Adrenal hyperplasia, hypothyroidism, high blood levels of prolactin[9] |
Treatment | Weight loss, exercise[10][11] |
Medication | Birth control pills, metformin, anti-androgens[12] |
Frequency | 2% to 20% of women of childbearing age[8][13] |
People with PCOS may experience irregular menstrual periods, heavy periods, excess hair, acne, pelvic pain, difficulty getting pregnant, and patches of thick, darker, velvety skin.[3] The primary characteristics of this syndrome include: hyperandrogenism, anovulation, insulin resistance, and neuroendocrine disruption.[17]
A review of international evidence found that the prevalence of PCOS could be as high as 26% among some populations, though ranges between 4% and 18% are reported for general populations.[18][19][20]
The exact cause of PCOS remains uncertain, and treatment involves management of symptoms using medication.[19]