What is it?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which a woman’s levels of sex hormones are out of balance. This leads to the growth of ovarian cysts on the ovaries.
PCOS is thought to affect up to 10% of women of childbearing age and if you have two of the following three features you may be diagnosed:
- Irregular or absent periods – which means your ovaries don’t regularly release eggs or ovulate
- Excess androgens – high levels of “male hormones” in your body, which may cause physical signs such as acne or excess facial or body hair
- Polycystic ovaries detected on an ultrasound