What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormone imbalance that affects around 1 out of 10 to 15 women. Girls as young as 11 can get PCOS.

What are the signs of PCOS?

Some common signs of PCOS include:

No periods, irregular periods, or very heavy periods
Pelvic pain
Extra hair on your face or other parts of your body, called “hirsutism”
Acne
Weight gain or trouble losing weight
Patches of dark, thick skin

If you have some of the above signs, you might have PCOS. There may be other reasons that you have one or more of these signs. See a doctor to find out the cause.

What causes PCOS?

No one knows the exact cause of PCOS. We do know that most of its symptoms come from problems with hormones, or natural body chemicals. Many girls with PCOS have too much insulin, a hormone that helps turn food into energy. Extra insulin can cause the darkened skin you may have on your neck, behind your knees, and other places.
Girls with PCOS also have extra androgens . Although people often think of androgens as male hormones, females have them too. The extra androgen can lead to acne, excess body hair, weight gain, irregular periods, and other PCOS symptoms.

What tests are used to diagnose PCOS?

If you think you may have PCOS, it’s smart to see your doctor. And knowing what to expect during the appointment can make it less stressful. Here’s a list of some of what you might experience:

Questions from your doctor about your menstrual cycle and your health
Questions about whether other people in your family have similar symptoms
A physical examination that includes checking your skin and measuring your body mass index (BMI) and waist size
An examination of your genitals and possibly other parts of your reproductive system
A blood test to check your hormone levels and blood sugar levels.

Does PCOS mean I have cysts on my ovaries?

The term “polycystic ovaries” means that there are lots of tiny cysts, or little sacs, on the ovaries. Some young women with PCOS have these cysts, but many others do not. Even if you have them, they are not harmful and do not need to be removed.

Will PCOS affect my ability to have children someday?

PCOS can cause problems with fertility (ability to get pregnant), but these problems usually can be treated. Treatments include medications to lower your insulin levels and to help you ovulate — or release an egg — each month. If you are concerned about your ability to get pregnant in the future, talk to your doctor.

Does PCOS put me at risk for other conditions?

If you have PCOS, you may be at higher risk of other health problems. These include:

Diabetes
High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Heart disease
A thickening of the endometrium , or the lining of the uterus, which can eventually lead to cancer if you don’t get your period regularly

Getting your PCOS symptoms under control at an early age may help reduce these risks.