Polycystic Ovary Syndrome - (PCOS)

Genetics

Women with PCOS are 50 percent more likely to have a mother, aunt or sister with PCOS than women without PCOS.

Hormones

The symptoms and signs of PCOS occur because of an imbalance of two hormones: Insulin and Androgen. 

There are there are a number of symptoms associated with PCOS, and effective treatments for managing them.

The number of symptoms women experience varies among individuals. They can include:

• periods (menstruation) that are irregular (more or less often than monthly)
• no periods or less than eight periods per year
• periods with heavy or light bleeding
• excess hair on face, stomach, back
• loss of hair on the top of the head
• acne (pimples) that may be very severe
• weight gain
• difficulties getting pregnant
• some health challenges during pregnancy
• emotional challenges (depression and/or anxiety)
• increased risk of diabetes
• sexual health challenges
• low self-esteem
• poor body image
• impact on the quality of life.

A blood test will measure the level of male type hormones (androgens, also called testosterone) and exclude other conditions.

Ultrasound is only needed for women who don’t have criteria 1) and 2). A vaginal ultrasound takes a picture of the ovaries. If there are 20 or more follicles (fluid filled sacs) on either ovary, this indicates PCOS.

Read the PCOS fact sheet for more detailed information about treatment options and how you can improve your chances of having a baby.

The AskPCOS app was created by Monash University and is dedicated to providing evidence-based information about PCOS. It provides information for people with or without a diagnosis about the condition, has a symptom tracker and provides information on how to manage PCOS.

Jean Hailes for Women’s Health is a not-for-profit Australian health promotion organisation that provides evidence-based PCOS information.

The Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation website provides a comprehensive range of information for women with PCOS and for health professionals, including:

• videos from experts on all aspects of PCOS
• information for women in easy to understand graphic formats
• podcasts from women with PCOS and from experts
• information about Victoria’s Statewide Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Service

The Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Association of Australia Inc (POSAA) was formed in 1998, by a group of Australian women who found each other on an American-based PCOS website. POSAA is a ‘self-help’ association for women with PCOS and those who suspect they have it. The Association brings together women, their families and friends, and medical professionals interested in supporting the group and PCOS patients.

The Victorian Assisted Reproductive Treatment Authority (VARTA) provides independent information and support for individuals, couples and health professionals on fertility and issues related to assisted reproductive treatment. This includes IVF, surrogacy and donor-conception.

• De Frène, V., et al. (2014). A retrospective study of the pregnancy, delivery and neonatal outcome in overweight versus normal weight women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Human Reproduction. doi: 10.1093/humrep/deu154.
• Greenwood, et al. (2016). Vigorous exercise is associated with superior metabolic profiles in polycystic ovary syndrome independent of total exercise expenditure. Fertility and Sterility, 105(2), 486-493. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.10.020
• Hart, R. J. (2016). Physiological Aspects of Female Fertility: Role of the Environment, Modern Lifestyle, and Genetics. Physiological Reviews, 96(3), 873-909. doi: 10.1152/physrev.00023.2015.
• Pasquali, R., et al. (2006). The impact of obesity on reproduction in women with polycystic ovary syndrome. BJOG, 113(10), 1148-1159.
• Teede, et al. (2018). Recommendations from the international evidence-based guideline for the assessment and management of polycystic ovary syndrome. Fertility and Sterility. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2018.05.004.