Basic Summary for Polycystic ovary syndrome

Main name of condition: Polycystic ovary syndrome
Other names or spellings: PCOS, PCO, Stein-Leventhal syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome

What is Polycystic ovary syndrome?
  Brief description of Polycystic ovary syndrome: Multiple ovary cysts causing various hormonal, menstrual and fertility problems.
  Parent types of Polycystic ovary syndrome: Ovary conditions, Under-diagnosed conditions
  Organs Affected by Polycystic ovary syndrome: ovary

How many people get Polycystic ovary syndrome?
  Prevalance of Polycystic ovary syndrome: 5-10% women of childbearing age (20-40); 30% of women have some PCOS symptoms (NWHIC).
  Prevalance Rate of Polycystic ovary syndrome: approx 1 in 40 or 2.50% or 6.8 million people in USA [about data]
  Prevalance of Polycystic ovary syndrome: An estimated five to 10% of women of childbearing age have PCOS (ages 20-40). At least 30% of women have some symptoms of PCOS.¹

Who gets Polycystic ovary syndrome?
Patient Profile for Polycystic ovary syndrome: Women with PCOS can be any age and may have had symptoms of PCOS such as irregular periods all their life.
Gender Profile for Polycystic ovary syndrome: Women only (related to ovaries).

How serious is Polycystic ovary syndrome?
Complications of Polycystic ovary syndrome: see complications of Polycystic ovary syndrome

What causes Polycystic ovary syndrome?
Cause of Polycystic ovary syndrome: PCOS is caused by problems with the ovaries from cysts in the ovaries. The ovaries are inhibited from normal female hormone control, resulting in an imbalance with too many male-like hormones. The hormone imbalance causes the symptoms such as male-like hair growth and mild diabetes.
Causes of Polycystic ovary syndrome: see causes of Polycystic ovary syndrome

What are the symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome?
Symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome: see symptoms of Polycystic ovary syndrome

How is it treated?
Treatments for Polycystic ovary syndrome: see treatments for Polycystic ovary syndrome

Footnotes:
1. excerpt from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS): NWHIC

Last revision: June 10, 2003

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