What Is PCOS? Symptoms, Causes and How Common It Is
PCOS is a common hormonal condition that can cause irregular periods, extra hair growth and acne. This article explains what it is, how common it is and what is known about its causes.
Scientist and Chief Medical OfficerDr. Ambed Mishra, PharmD, PhDEducational information only, not medical advice. Always ask a qualified doctor about your own health. In an emergency call 112 (India) or 911 (US). Read the full disclaimer.
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Polycystic ovary syndrome, usually called PCOS, is one of the most common hormonal conditions in women of reproductive age. Many people do not know they have it. This article explains what PCOS is, what symptoms to look out for and what health organisations say about its causes.
What is PCOS?
The World Health Organization (WHO) describes PCOS as a common hormonal disorder in which higher-than-normal levels of androgens (sometimes called male hormones) and other hormonal imbalances can cause irregular periods, problems with ovulation, extra facial or body hair, acne and oilier skin. The US National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) describes it as a set of symptoms linked to a hormonal imbalance that can affect metabolism, periods and reproductive health, the heart and blood, and physical appearance.
PCOS is also sometimes called PMOS, short for polyendocrine metabolic ovary syndrome, which reflects that it affects more than the ovaries. The WHO says it is a long-term condition that continues beyond the reproductive years.
How common is it?
According to the WHO, PCOS affects an estimated 10 to 13 percent of women of reproductive age worldwide, and up to 70 percent of affected women may not be diagnosed. The WHO also describes it as a leading cause of irregular periods and one of the most common causes of infertility, and the most common cause of lack of ovulation worldwide.
Common symptoms
PCOS can start in the teenage years, but the WHO says it is most often noticed when a woman has trouble becoming pregnant. Symptoms differ from person to person and can change over time. They may include:
- periods that are irregular, unpredictable or absent, or periods that are heavy, long or painful
- difficulty getting pregnant
- extra hair on the face or body
- thinning hair or hair loss from the scalp
- acne or oily skin
NICHD also lists dark patches of skin and insulin resistance among the features of PCOS.
What causes PCOS?
The WHO states that the cause is unknown. It does say PCOS tends to run in families, and having a family history of PCOS or type 2 diabetes raises the risk. NICHD adds that recent genetic research suggests there may be two or more subtypes of PCOS, defined by particular genes or gene changes.
Nobody causes PCOS by something they did or did not do. If you have it, it is not your fault.
The three main features
NICHD explains that most women with PCOS have at least two of three features:
- Lack of regular ovulation, which can lead to irregular periods or no periods.
- High androgen levels, or signs of them, such as extra body or facial hair.
- Growths in one or both ovaries, often clusters of follicles that have stopped developing.
Some women have the first two features and PCOS symptoms without any ovarian growths. This is why the name can be misleading: you do not need cysts to have PCOS.
Living with PCOS
The WHO says PCOS can affect quality of life, and that women with PCOS may experience anxiety, depression and negative body image. Stigma around hair growth, weight or fertility can also affect relationships and work. If you feel low or anxious, tell your doctor. Mental health support and help lines exist in both India and the United States.
The WHO notes that there is no cure for PCOS, but care can improve quality of life and help protect health over the long term. A doctor decides on any treatment after assessing you personally.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you have irregular or missing periods, extra hair growth, persistent acne, hair thinning, or if you have been trying to get pregnant without success. A doctor can check whether PCOS or another condition is the reason. Heavy bleeding, severe pelvic pain, fainting or feeling very unwell need urgent care.
In an emergency, call your local emergency number (112 in India, 911 in the United States).
Key points
- PCOS is a common hormonal condition affecting an estimated 10 to 13 percent of women of reproductive age, according to the WHO.
- Symptoms include irregular periods, extra hair, acne and trouble getting pregnant.
- The cause is unknown, but it runs in families.
- You do not need ovarian cysts to have PCOS.
Common questions
What is PCOS?
The WHO describes PCOS as a common hormonal disorder in which high androgen levels and other hormonal imbalances can cause irregular periods, problems with ovulation, extra hair, acne and oily skin.
How many women have PCOS?
According to the WHO, an estimated 10 to 13 percent of women of reproductive age have PCOS worldwide, and up to 70 percent of them may be undiagnosed.
Do you need cysts on your ovaries to have PCOS?
No. NICHD and the WHO say some women have PCOS symptoms without growths or cysts on the ovaries.
What causes PCOS?
The WHO says the cause is unknown. It runs in families, and a family history of PCOS or type 2 diabetes raises the risk.
Important: please read
- Educational information only. This article is general health education. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Reading it does not create a doctor–patient relationship with MyDoctor or with anyone else.
- Ask a qualified doctor. Always talk to a qualified, registered doctor about your own health. In India, that means a doctor registered with the National Medical Commission (NMC) or a State Medical Council. In the United States, a licensed physician. Elsewhere, a doctor licensed where you live.
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- About the sources. This article summarises, in our own words, information from the public health bodies named under Sources. Health knowledge changes, and this summary may not reflect the latest research or your personal situation.
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Sources
- WHO. Polycystic ovary syndrome - WHO fact sheet www.who.int
- NIH (NICHD). About Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) - NICHD www.nichd.nih.gov
Dr. Ambed Mishra, PharmD, PhD
- Clinical Research
- Psychiatry
- Community Medicine
- Clinical Pharmacy
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Dr. Ambed Mishra is a clinical (patient care) scientist, author and former professor. He is Group CEO and Chief Medical Officer of MODERN US HEALTH (MODERN US GROUP), Austin, Texas, the group behind MyDoctor, and a senior consultant who teaches and trains MD/DO physicians, PharmD and PhD professionals, nurses and other healthcare professionals in patient care in the United States and India.
More about Dr. Ambed Mishra
- More than ten years of full-time leadership in United States healthcare, building patient care services that improve medication adherence and bring doctors, pharmacists and nurses together around each patient.
- Leads the MD and engineering teams behind MyDoctor: clinic and hospital management software, electronic health records and telehealth for hospitals and physician groups in the United States and India.
- Former Assistant Professor and Clinical Preceptor at Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, and senior researcher with hospitals, universities and patient care groups in India and the United States.
- More than 30 published research and review articles and case reports, and more than 15 international conference presentations in India, Australia, Canada, the United States, Spain and other countries.
- Chief Medical Officer and Global Program Head of a nonprofit mission that helps cover hospital and doctor visit bills for patients in need in India, Nepal, the United States and other countries.
The author's office answers questions about articles, research, speaking and collaboration. It cannot give personal medical advice.