What is PCOS?

Cause

The exact cause is unknown but there appears to be both a hereditary and a lifestyle component e.g. sisters of PCOS sufferers have up to a 50% chance of having the disorder and 70% of women with PCOS are overweight and not physically active.

The ovary produces excessive androgens (eg testosterone), which may be caused by the body not producing and/or processing the hormone insulin normally.

The “cysts” seen in the ovary in PCOS are follicles or eggs which have matured but not released, so giving a “space-craft like” appearance. On pelvic ultrasound the diagnosis of polycystic ovaries is confirmed if there are more than 15 follicles visible in an ovary.

In a normal ovary only one egg matures and is released (ovulation) each menstrual cycle.