What is Polycystic Ovaries

Polycystic simply means 'many cysts' and describes the appearance of the ovary on ultrasound scan. On the scan a polycystic ovary is larger than normal with a ring of many cysts around the edge. The cysts are follicles, some are immature but contain an egg, and others are empty. A polycystic ovary contains at least ten cysts just below the surface, and although each cyst only measures between two and eight millimetres, together they make the ovary enlarged. The covering of the ovary (the capsule) thickens, which makes release of the egg difficult.

The diagram of the normal ovary showns a growing follicle and the empty follicle (called the corpus luteum) that is left behind after the release of the egg at ovulation. The diagram of the polycystic ovary showns the many cysts around the edge of the ovary.

Polycystic ovaries are common. About one in five women have them, and generally they present no problems. But when they are accompanied by some, or all, of the symptoms described below, you may be told that you have Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is sometimes called Stein-Leventhal syndrome after the doctors who first described it in 1935.


Symptoms of PCOS

Irregular or absent periods

Most women with PCOS do not ovulate because their follicles never ripen enough to reach the ovary's surface and burst. Some women ovulate occasionally. So you may not have any periods, or they may be very irregular and scanty. Women with PCOS may start their periods late and they may also always have irregular cycles. On the other hand some women may have heavy irregular bleeding because of the poor hormone control.

Infertility

If you have PCOS you will only be ovulating occasionally or not at all, so getting pregnant without treatment may be difficult or impossible. Many women do not go to their doctors with irregular periods until they start trying to have a baby. You may only find out then that you have polycystic ovaries.

Miscarriage

There may be an increased risk of miscarriage for women who do become pregnant.

Unwanted body hair

Many women with PCOS experience unwanted hair on their face, chest, abdomen, arms and legs. Hair growth might be quite thick and noticeable, especially if you have dark hair. Some women also notice a slight thinning of their head hair.

Acne

Some women with PCOS have spots on their face, chest and back. Many women who go to their doctor with adult acne find they have polycystic ovaries.

Weight gain

You may find that you put on weight easily. If you put on a lot of weight you may be at increased risk of developing heart disease, high blood pressure or diabetes later in life.

Pelvic discomfort

Some women with PCOS feel occasional discomfort in their abdomen.