MamasHealth.com Home Women's Health Adenomyosis Atrophic vaginitis Bartholin's abscess Cervical dysplasia Cervical polyps Cervictis Depo provera Domestic violence Endometrial hyperplasia Endometrial polyps Endometriosis Escape an attacker Folic acid Finding time for sex Hormone therapy Alternatives How to be a better mom HPV scare Important health tests Labial reduction surgery Menorrhagia Menopause Menstrual cramps Midlife checklist Mittelschmerz Moms need friends too Ovarian cysts Painful sex Pelvic exams PID PMS Polycystic ovarian Preeclampsia Pregnancy Salpingitis Toxic shock syndrome 1 Toxic shock syndrome 2 Urinary incontinence Urinary tract infection Uterine bleeding Uterine fibroids Vaginal cysts Vaginal dryness Vaginal rejuvenation Vaginal warts Vaginismus Vaginitis Vulvar dystrophy Vulvitis Vulvodynia Women & calcium Women & medicine Women & heart Disease Yeast infections Links Email Mama Tips to get him in the mood Why women should care about prostate cancer Donating your eggs Help for rape victims Stay at home moms Women and calcium 9 things women should know about men Shy girls guide to flirting	What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome? Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a condition in which many cysts develop from ovarian follicles that fail to rupture and release eggs. Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the major causes of infertility. Women who have polycystic ovary syndrome are at a greater risk of developing ovarian cancer and diabetes. In Polycystic ovary syndrome, there are many small cysts around the edge of the ovaries. It occurs frequently in women who are obese. What Causes Polycystic Ovary Syndrome? It is the result of abnormally high production of the hormone androgen by the ovaries and the adrenal glands. Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Some women with polycystic ovary syndrome have no symptoms. When symptoms are present, the most common symptoms are: erratic periods heavy bleeding absence of periods excess facial and body hair high blood sugar infertility male-pattern baldness excess acne Treatment Options for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Treatments of polycystic ovary syndrome are aimed towards the type and severity of symptoms. Some common treatments are: birth control (to regulate periods) medicines (to combat male androgen hormones) clomiphene (to treat infertility) How is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Diagnosed? If your doctor suspects that you have polycystic ovary syndrome, he will perform blood tests and an ultrasound. The blood test will check the level of androgens in the blood. If polycystic ovary syndrome is present, the ultrasound will show multiple small cysts around the edge of the ovary. How serious it Polycystic Ovary Syndrome? Polycystic ovary syndrome is a serious condition. Women with it have an increased risk of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood fats, and coronary artery disease.
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