Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
(PCOS, POS, POD, Stein-Leventhal Syndrome)

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Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD
Revising Medical Editor: William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR

• What is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?
• What are the symptoms of PCOS?
• What causes PCOS?
• How is PCOS diagnosed?
• What conditions can be associated with PCOS?
• What treatments are available for PCOS?
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) At A Glance
• Related polycystic ovarian syndrome article:
  Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) - on eMedicineHealth
• Patient Discussions: Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) - Effective Treatments

Featured polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patient discussions on effective treatments "I went five months without having a period. Then I was put on metformin. It's been three months now since I was diagnosed with PCOS, and I still get painful periods, especially when I ovulate. I have excessive facial hair and patches of dark skin on my back. However, since I started metformin I have lost 18 pounds, from 218 to 200. I have completely changed my diet, and I drink a lot of purified water. Although I feel physically better, emotional I'm torn because I've been trying to conceive for two years." "I am 22 years old and just found out that I have PCOS. Before the past year or two, my periods were regular. I have always been overweight, but when I started to grow facial hair and put on even more weight that would just NOT come off, I decided to look into possible solutions. Sure enough, I have PCOS. I have been put on the pill, which has gotten my cycle back to normal after only two months and Glucophage. I only started the Glucophage three days ago, so hopefully it will help!" "I have been recently diagnosed with PCOS. I am 38 years old and have always had irregular periods. Sometimes I would go five or six months without a period, and when I had one, it would last two to three weeks! I went to many doctors, and not a one of them could help me. I finally found a genius of a doctor. He ran some lab work and found out that I am insulin-resistant. I'm supposed to be at 4 and I'm at 37. My doctor prescribed glucophage, and the past two months my period started and ended on the same day each month! This has never happened before, and I am thrilled because I am on my way to getting pregnant!" Read All Comments on Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) » Top Searched Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Terms: pregnancy, metformin, blood clots, hypothyroidism, lose weight, acne, high blood pressure, mood swings, Patient Discussions are not a substitute for professional medical advice, or treatment. See the disclaimer at the bottom of the comments page.

What is polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), also known by the name Stein-Leventhal syndrome, is a hormonal problem that causes women to have a variety of symptoms.

What are the symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?

The symptoms of PCOS include:

1. Irregular or no menstrual periods


2. Acne


3. Obesity, and


4. Excess hair growth

Other signs and symptoms of PCOS include:

• weight gain,

• acne,

• oily skin,

• dandruff,

• infertility,

• skin discolorations,

• high cholesterol levels,

• elevated blood pressure, and

• abnormal hair growth and distribution.

Any of the above symptoms and signs may be absent in PCOS, with the exception of irregular or no menstrual periods. All women with PCOS will have irregular or no menstrual periods. Women who have PCOS do not regularly ovulate; that is, they do not release an egg every month. This is why they do not have regular periods.

What causes polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)?

No one is quite sure what causes PCOS. Although women with PCOS often have a mother or sister with the condition, there is not enough scientific evidence to prove that the condition may be inherited. The ovaries of women with PCOS frequently contain a number of small cysts, hence the name poly (many) cystic ovarian syndrome. A similar number of cysts may occur in women without PCOS. Therefore, the cysts themselves do not seem to be the cause of the problem. A malfunction of the body's blood sugar control system (insulin system) is frequent in women with PCOS, and researchers believe that these abnormalities may be related to the development of PCOS. It is known that the ovaries of women with PCOS produce excess amounts of male hormone known as androgen. This excessive production of male hormones may be a result of the abnormalities in insulin production.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) - Effective Treatments

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• metformin, Glucophage - Drug information about metformin (Glucophage, Glucophage XR, Glumetza, Fortamet, Riomet), a drug used for treating type II diabetes in adults and children.
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