Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder which affects women in their reproductive age. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown.
The 3 characteristic feature of a PCOS are:
• irregular periods
• high levels of “male” hormones, which may result in physical signs such as excess facial or body hair
• polycystic ovaries – which meands enlarged ovaries which contain many fluid-filled sacs (follicles) that surround the eggs
Symptoms of PCOS include:
• irregular periods/ no periods at all
• difficulty getting pregnant
• excessive hair growth (so called hirsutism) – usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks
• thinning hair/ hair loss from the head
• weight gain
• skin problems like oily skin or acne
PCOS may lead to long-term complications such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Early diagnosis and treatment along with weight loss may reduce the risk of long-term complications.