Why do polycystic ovaries form?

Great Question: Actually, a normal patient can be stimulated to produce polycystic ovaries through the addition of male hormone. Higher than normal male hormone levels in women produce this change. Even women who are anovulatory from stress (hypothalamic), will have polycystic changes in the ovary on ultrasound. This finding is not diagnostic of pcos but is merely one of the supportive parts of the diagnosis.

Chronic anovulation: Each of the small cysts on or in the ovaries contains an egg. When a woman ovulates one of the cysts ruptures to release the egg, then the cyst goes away. When a women does not ovulate regularly the follicular cysts stay and as more develop the ovaries become polycystic. Poly means many.