The term ‘PCOS’ stands for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.
It is a common hormonal or endocrine disorder that affects women of reproductive age. This hormonal imbalance can cause various symptoms, including irregular menstrual cycles, acne, excess hair growth (hirsutism), and weight gain. PCOS can also cause hair loss, insomnia, fatigue, pelvic pain, and depression.
Women with PCOS usually have major hormonal imbalances. For instance, women with PCOS have a higher level of androgens, which are male hormones, than is typical for women. Some may have other hormones in excess or in lower quantities than is normal, e.g. Prolactin, Estrogen, or Progesterone.
Although not all women with PCOS develop ovarian cysts, those who do may have numerous cysts on their ovaries. In addition to increasing the difficulty of getting pregnant, PCOS raises the risk of having additional health issues like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea. Despite the fact that PCOS is a lifelong disorder, there are medications to assist in managing its symptoms.
