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Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovaries; Polycystic ovary disease; Stein-Leventhal syndrome; Polyfollicular ovarian disease; PCOS

 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which a woman has an imbalance of female sex hormones. This may lead to changes in the menstrual cycle, cysts in the ovaries , trouble getting pregnant, and other health problems.

Causes

 

PCOS is linked to changes in hormone levels that make it harder for the ovaries to release fully-grown (mature) eggs. The reasons for these changes are unclear. The hormones affected are:

  • Estrogen and progesterone, the female hormones that help a woman's ovaries release eggs
  • Androgen, a male hormone that is found in small amounts in women

Normally, one or more eggs are released during a woman's cycle. This is known as ovulation. In most cases, this release of eggs occurs about 2 weeks after the start of a menstrual period.

In PCOS, mature eggs are not released. Instead, they stay in the ovaries with a small amount of fluid around them. There can be many of these. However, not all women with the condition will have ovaries with this appearance.

These problems with the release of eggs can contribute to infertility. The other symptoms of this disorder are due to the hormone imbalances.

Most of the time, PCOS is diagnosed in women in their 20s or 30s. However, it may also affect teenage girls. The symptoms often begin when a girl's periods start. Women with this disorder often have a mother or sister who has similar symptoms.

 

Symptoms

 

Symptoms of PCOS include changes in the menstrual cycle, such as:

  • Not getting a period after you have had one or more normal ones during puberty ( secondary amenorrhea )
  • Irregular periods that may come and go, and be very light to very heavy

Other symptoms of PCOS include:

  • Extra body hair that grows on the chest, belly, face, and around the nipples
  • Acne on the face, chest, or back
  • Skin changes, such as dark or thick skin markings and creases around the armpits, groin, neck, and breasts

The development of male characteristics is not typical of PCOS and may indicate another problem. The following changes may indicate another problem apart from PCOS:

  • Thinning hair on the head at the temples, called male pattern baldness
  • Enlargement of the clitoris
  • Deepening of the voice
  • Decrease in breast size

 

Exams and Tests

 

Your doctor or nurse will perform a physical exam. This will include a pelvic exam. The exam may show:

  • Swollen ovaries
  • Swollen clitoris (very rare)

The following health conditions are common in women with PCOS:

  • Diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Weight gain and obesity

Your doctor or nurse will check your weight and body mass index (BMI) and measure your belly size.

Blood tests can be done to check hormone levels. These tests may include:

  • Estrogen level
  • FSH level
  • LH level
  • Male hormone ( testosterone ) level
  • 17-ketosteroids

Other blood tests that may be done include:

  • Fasting glucose (blood sugar) and other tests for glucose intolerance and insulin resistance
  • Lipid level
  • Pregnancy test (serum HCG)
  • Prolactin level
  • Thyroid function tests

Your doctor may also order the following imaging test or surgeries to look at your ovaries:

  • Vaginal ultrasound
  • Pelvic laparoscopy

 

Treatment

 

Weight gain and obesity are common in women with PCOS. Losing weight, even a small amount of weight, can help treat the hormone changes and health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol.

Your doctor may recommend birth control pills to make your periods more regular. These medicines may also help reduce abnormal hair growth and acne after you take them for several months.

A diabetes medicine called Glucophage (metformin) may also be recommended to:

  • Make your periods regular
  • Prevent type 2 diabetes
  • Help you lose weight

Other medicines that may be prescribed to help make your periods regular and help you get pregnant are:

  • LH-releasing hormone (LHRH) analogs
  • Clomiphene citrate, which helps your ovaries grow and release eggs

These medicines work better if your body mass index (BMI) is 30 or less (below the obese range).

Your doctor or nurse may also suggest other treatments for abnormal hair growth. Some are:

  • Spironolactone or flutamide pills
  • Eflornithine cream

Permanent hair removal options include electrolysis and laser hair removal. However, many treatments may be needed, and treatments are expensive.

A pelvic laparoscopy may be done to remove or alter an ovary to treat infertility. The effects are temporary.

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

With treatment, women with PCOS are very often able to get pregnant. There is an increased risk of miscarriage, high blood pressure, and gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

 

Possible Complications

 

Women with PCOS are more likely to develop:

  • Endometrial cancer
  • Infertility
  • Breast cancer (slightly increased risk)

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of this disorder.

 

 

Open References

References

Bulun SE. The physiology and pathology of the female reporductive axis. In: Melmed S, Polonsky KS, Larsen PR, Kronenberg HM, eds. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology . 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 17.

Rebar RW, Catherino WH. Reproductive endocrinology and infertility. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 236.

Rosenfield RL, Barnes RB, Ehrmann DA. Hyperandrogenism, hirsuitism, and polycystic ovary syndrome. In: Jameson JL, De Groot LJ, de Kretser DM, et al, eds. Endocrinology: Adult and Pediatric . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 133.

 
  • Endocrine glands

    Endocrine glands - illustration

    Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the pace of chemical activity in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).

    Endocrine glands

    illustration

  • Pelvic laparoscopy

    Pelvic laparoscopy - illustration

    Laparoscopy is performed when less-invasive surgery is desired. It is also called Band-Aid surgery because only small incisions need to be made to accommodate the small surgical instruments that are used to view the abdominal contents and perform the surgery.

    Pelvic laparoscopy

    illustration

  • Female reproductive anatomy

    Female reproductive anatomy - illustration

    External structures of the female reproductive anatomy include the labium minora and majora, the vagina and the clitoris. Internal structures include the uterus, ovaries and cervix.

    Female reproductive anatomy

    illustration

  • Stein-Leventhal syndrome

    Stein-Leventhal syndrome - illustration

    Stein-Leventhal syndrome is an accumulation of incompletely developed follicles in the ovaries. The condition may be characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, absent menses, multiple cysts on the ovaries, and infertility.

    Stein-Leventhal syndrome

    illustration

  • Uterus

    Uterus - illustration

    The uterus is a hollow muscular organ located in the female pelvis between the bladder and rectum. The ovaries produce the eggs that travel through the fallopian tubes. Once the egg has left the ovary it can be fertilized and implant itself in the lining of the uterus. The main function of the uterus is to nourish the developing fetus prior to birth.

    Uterus

    illustration

  • Follicle development

    Follicle development - illustration

    Normal egg release from the ovaries, shown in stages of development.

    Follicle development

    illustration

    • Endocrine glands

      Endocrine glands - illustration

      Endocrine glands release hormones (chemical messengers) into the bloodstream to be transported to various organs and tissues throughout the body. For instance, the pancreas secretes insulin, which allows the body to regulate levels of sugar in the blood. The thyroid gets instructions from the pituitary to secrete hormones which determine the pace of chemical activity in the body (the more hormone in the bloodstream, the faster the chemical activity; the less hormone, the slower the activity).

      Endocrine glands

      illustration

    • Pelvic laparoscopy

      Pelvic laparoscopy - illustration

      Laparoscopy is performed when less-invasive surgery is desired. It is also called Band-Aid surgery because only small incisions need to be made to accommodate the small surgical instruments that are used to view the abdominal contents and perform the surgery.

      Pelvic laparoscopy

      illustration

    • Female reproductive anatomy

      Female reproductive anatomy - illustration

      External structures of the female reproductive anatomy include the labium minora and majora, the vagina and the clitoris. Internal structures include the uterus, ovaries and cervix.

      Female reproductive anatomy

      illustration

    • Stein-Leventhal syndrome

      Stein-Leventhal syndrome - illustration

      Stein-Leventhal syndrome is an accumulation of incompletely developed follicles in the ovaries. The condition may be characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, absent menses, multiple cysts on the ovaries, and infertility.

      Stein-Leventhal syndrome

      illustration

    • Uterus

      Uterus - illustration

      The uterus is a hollow muscular organ located in the female pelvis between the bladder and rectum. The ovaries produce the eggs that travel through the fallopian tubes. Once the egg has left the ovary it can be fertilized and implant itself in the lining of the uterus. The main function of the uterus is to nourish the developing fetus prior to birth.

      Uterus

      illustration

    • Follicle development

      Follicle development - illustration

      Normal egg release from the ovaries, shown in stages of development.

      Follicle development

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

        Self Care

         

          Tests for Polycystic ovary syndrome

           
           

          Review Date: 4/5/2016

          Reviewed By: Irina Burd, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Gynecology and Obstetrics at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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