What is PCOS?

PCOS stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, which simply means that instead of having a single ovarian cyst, there are multiple ovarian cysts present.  Although, oddly enough, you can be diagnosed with PCOS without having multiple cysts.

The strict definition is you have PCOS when you have two of the following three symptoms:

1.    An absence of ovulation
2.    An excess of androgen (a hormone that generates masculine characteristics)
3.    Multiple cysts on your ovaries

Symptoms of PCOS are:

•    Few, irregular or absent periods
•    Increased body hair because of an androgen excess (masculanizing hormone)
•    Hair loss on the head or thinning of hair
•    Obesity
•    Infertility

Cause of PCOS

Many tests suggest that insulin resistance, and therefore having high insulin levels could be a major cause, although there is no proven known cause.  There is a lot of medical speculation that you could have a genetic predisposition,  but as yet there has never been a specific gene isolated that is known to cause it.

Diagnosed with PCOS and unhappy about it?