Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
PCOS is a hormone imbalance that is very common. Five to 10% of all women may have it, and it often runs in families. In this condition, the ovaries make too much "male" hormone (testosterone). This causes:
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Acne
- Excess hair on the face and body (hirsutism)
- Overweight (obesity)
- Enlarged ovaries containing small cysts or fluid-filled sacs (in some young women with PCOS)
Long-Term Medical Problems in Some Women with PCOS
The hormone imbalances described above may increase the risk of future medical problems in some young women with PCOS.
These include:
- Thickened lining of the uterus (endometrium), which may cause heavy bleeding or even cancer of the uterus if not treated
- Difficulty becoming pregnant (infertility)
- Heart disease and high blood pressure
- High fat levels (lipids, cholesterol)
- Diabetes mellitus
Many young women with PCOS also have high insulin levels. Insulin helps the body to process sugar (glucose). Overweight women with PCOS are more likely to have high insulin levels, but women of normal weight can also have high insulin levels. Some of these women will develop diabetes.
Treatment of PCOS may decrease a woman's risk of developing these problems. If a woman with PCOS has difficulty getting pregnant, treatment is available.
Diagnosis of PCOS
To find out if you could have PCOS, your clinician will ask questions about your:
- Overall health
- Menstrual cycles
- Family's health
The clinician will then do an exam that may or may not include a pelvic exam, and will send blood tests. Some blood tests need to be repeated, and some need to be checked after you have not eaten overnight (fasting).
Treatment of PCOS
It is important to treat PCOS. Treatment can:
- Help acne and excessive hair growth
- Prevent irregular and heavy bleeding
- Decrease the risk of future problems, such as cancer of the uterus, heart disease and diabetes
Your clinician may recommend some of the following treatments:
- Weight loss and exercise. If you are overweight, weight loss and exercise are important. A small amount of weight loss can have a big impact on health. A dietitian can help with weight management.
- Hormone pills (birth control pills, oral contraceptive pills). These decrease acne and excessive hair, make menstrual periods regular and prevent cancer of the uterus. Your clinician will talk to you about the benefits and risks of these pills.
- Spironolactone. This is an anti-testosterone medication that helps acne and excess hair.
- Topical or oral acne medications. These include benzoyl peroxide, Retin-A, oral antibiotics and others.
- Hair removal by bleaching, waxing, electrolysis, or laser treatment.
- Medications that lower insulin levels, such as metformin, are being studied in young women with PCOS but are not yet routine.
Follow-up
If you have PCOS, your clinician will ask you to come back for regular appointments to monitor weight loss (if recommended), and to make sure that the medicines are working well. Sometimes it is necessary to change a medicine or the dose of a medicine. If you have PCOS, you can take control of and improve your health if you:
- Make lifestyle changes such as weight management and exercise
- Take medicines as prescribed
- Let your clinician know if you have side effects from a medicine
- Keep follow-up appointments with your clinician
Resources:
Contact Us
For more information, please contact the Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology Program, 513-636-4681.
Rev. 8/06
