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

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

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.

Next: How is PCOS diagnosed? »

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