A 20-year-old member asked:
What is polycystic ovary syndrome?
3 doctor answers • 14 doctors weighed in
Dr. Neelam Shahanswered
Internal Medicine and Pediatrics 74 years experience
Hormonal imbalance: Pcos is a hormonal imbalance often associated with cysts in ovaries. It is seen more commonly in people who are overweight/obese and can include changes like lack of periods, decreased breast size, acne, and excess hair growth. If your doctor suspects it, s/he will start with a variety of blood tests to check your hormonal levels.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Jill Carnahananswered
Specializes in Family Medicine
PCOS: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is diagnosed when a patient presents with cysts on ovaries, evidence of excess androgens (excessive hair growth or acne) and irregular menstrual cycles. Women with pcos usually have elevated testosterone levels and abnormal Insulin levels both of which drive the clinical findings. It can be effectively controlled with a low-glycemic diet, weight loss, exercise, meds.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Allen Seely commented
General Practice 32 years experience
see also mayoclinic.com article
Feb 18, 2012
Dr. Dennis Higginbotham commented
American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology 31 years experience
First line treatment for the menstrual irrregularity due to PCOS is cycle control with birth control pills (BCP's), second choice would be cyclic progesterone therapy for someone who can't or won't take BCP's.
Feb 19, 2012
A Verified Doctoranswered
29 years experience
Mixed bag: Pcos is a constellation of findings which includes irregular periods, elevated testosterone or testosterone like hormones (with no other cause), resistance to Insulin (predisposition to type 2 diabetes), problems with lipids, many times unwanted face and body hair, sometimes scalp hair loss. Ovarian cysts may or may not be found. Pcos is an outdated term but no better one has been agreed upon.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 34-year-old member asked:
Can polycystic ovaries develop into polycystic ovary syndrome?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Seth Dermananswered
Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility 34 years experience
Sort of: Polycystic ovaries is a finding on ultrasound where there are lots of small follicles on the ovaries. Pcos is where you have some combination (depending on which criteria your doctor uses) of pco looking ovaries, ovulation problems and symptoms of producing too much male hormone. Many but not all women with pcos have pco looking ovaries and many women with pco ovaries have the syndrome.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:
What exactly is polycystic ovary syndrome?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Michael Opsahlanswered
Fertility Medicine 44 years experience
A hormone disorder: Pcos is a syndrome or disorder in which women have 2 of 3 of the following: irregular cycles, multi-cystic ovaries, or excess androgens ("male" hormone levels). Pcos has no specific cause but it is associated with obesity, some heredity, and Insulin resistance (also seen in type 2 diabetes). Treatment can help with ovulation, fertility and cosmetics. Hope this helps.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:
What are the symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Khurram Rehmananswered
Fertility Medicine 27 years experience
Irregular cycles ...: Most women with pcos have one or more of: irregular periods or no cycles, acne, oily skin, unwanted hair growth especially on the face or lower stomach, infertility or subfertility (difficulty getting pregnant). Some women with pcos have little or no symptoms - we look at symptoms, blood tests and an ultrasound of the ovaries to make the diagnosis. Not all women with pcos have fertility issues.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 50-year-old member asked:
Do you have information on polycystic ovary syndrome?
1 doctor answer • 3 doctors weighed in
Dr. Charles Sturgisanswered
Pathology 30 years experience
Hormonal disorder.: Polycystic ovary syndrome (pcos) is a common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. Infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne and obesity can all occur in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The exact cause is unknown. I am attaching a good link.
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pcos/basics/symptoms/con-20028841.
4.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:
How to know if I have polycystic ovary syndrome?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
A Verified Doctoranswered
32 years experience
Cues: Hi. PCOS is typified by irregular or absent periods, hirsutism, overweight, high testosterone, insulin resistance (& sometimes type 2 diabetes), and often a high LH:FSH ratio. If you suspect you have PCOS, see your primary doctor, gynecologist, or an endocrinologist. PCOS is a diagnosis of exclusion; Cushing's and non-classical congenital hyperplasia need to at least be considered. Good luck!
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Aug 25, 2018
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