What is polycystic ovary syndrome?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome

Question
What is polycystic ovary syndrome?

Answer
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a benign disorder, but can cause problems for women who have it. They have ovaries that are covered by a smooth, thickened capsule and contain many small cysts.

The ovaries may be of normal size or enlarged. They do not seem to function properly, and so infertility due to failure to release eggs is a problem.

There may be mild hormonal changes too, with raised levels of both oestrogens and androgens. Women with this problem may have absent or irregular periods, often tend to be somewhat overweight and develop a little more body hair than normal. This often begins about the time of puberty and progresses with time.

Treatment for infertility can be given by specialists and is often successful, and there is a surgical procedure (wedge resection) that may also help.

Weight loss can help, and hormonal treatment can help some of the other effects such as absent periods and mild increase in body hair, and the oral contraceptive pill is very often used for this. Specialist help is usually advisable.

Yours sincerely

Dr Keith Barnard, GP