Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a type of reproductive disorder in which excessive amounts of androgens (male hormones such as testosterone) are produced by the ovaries. The cause of PCOS is not completely known, and ongoing research is being conducted to further understand the condition.

Women with PCOS usually have the following symptoms:

• Irregular menstrual cycles
  
  
• Polycystic ovaries (enlarged ovaries containing tiny cysts)
  
  
• Abnormal levels of insulin as well as insulin resistance (cells require greater amounts of insulin to use the carbohydrates from the diet)
  
  
• Hirsutism (excessive hair growth throughout the face and body)
  
  
• Excessive weight gain
  
  
• Acne
  
  
• Male-pattern hair thinning
  
  
• Acanthosis nigricans (darkening of the skin around the areas of the neck, arms, breasts or thighs)
  
  
• Skin tags (small pieces of excess skin around the armpit or neck area)

In addition, PCOS may put women at risk for more serious health complications such as:

• Diabetes
• Infertility
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High blood cholesterol
• Obesity
• Uterine cancer

Some of the symptoms of PCOS are similar to other conditions, including androgen-secreting tumors and Cushing syndrome. Therefore, diagnosis of PCOS usually involves first ruling out these conditions. A number of medical tests may be performed for this purpose but there is no single test to diagnose PCOS. Many patients present with variations of the typical symptoms making it difficult to diagnose this condition.

Because of the variable nature of the syndrome, the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) and the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) redefined the guidelines for PCOS diagnosis. To be diagnosed with PCOS, a woman must have two of the following symptoms:

• Irregular or absent ovulation
• Elevated levels of androgens
• Polycystic ovaries

PCOS is a lifelong condition, and there is no known method of prevention. The condition resolves spontaneously only in rare cases. A number of treatments are available to relieve its symptoms and prevent the risk of more serious complications. Treatment of PCOS varies depending on whether the patient wishes to become pregnant (e.g., medications for birth control or fertility). Medications traditionally used in diabetes treatment may also be recommended for insulin resistance (when cells in the body do not respond normally to insulin circulating in the blood). This condition is the reason some women with PCOS have excessive amounts of insulin. In addition, patients are advised to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. In some cases, surgery may be an option.