Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition where the ovaries contain more developing follicles than normal 2 in 10 women have polycystic ovaries, when it causes an imbalance of your hormones with symptoms this is then called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome does run in families.

Common symptoms include:

• Excess in body hair, particularly face, legs and chest
• Acne
• Loss of head hair
• Infrequent periods or no periods at all
• Being overweight and finding it difficult to loose weight
• Difficulty in getting pregnant (infertility)

PCOS is also linked to Diabetes and there may be other long term health problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer of the inside lining of the womb (endometrium)

Diet and exercise can help reduce your risk of long-term health problems.

Treatment depends on whether you are trying to get pregnant.

If you are not planning a baby at present treatment depends on your symptoms.

If excess hair and acne is a problem, this can be treated with a combined oral contraceptive pill. You may also require a cream which can reduce facial hair if used daily over a long period of time.

The combined oral contraceptive pill also regulates your periods if you suffer from infrequent periods.

If you are planning a pregnancy, you may need to take medication to stimulate your ovaries to produce an egg. Another drug used in Diabetes may also regulate your menstrual cycle to aid egg production. You may also need medication to aid weight loss as it this will greatly reduce health risks during pregnancy.

Health risks during pregnancy

• Increased risk of miscarriage
• Diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
• Raised blood pressure

Another treatment is surgical drilling of the ovaries. This is done when medical treatments are not successful.

Marble Arch Health can provide all of the above treatments.

Verity – The Polycystic Ovaries Self Help Group
52-54 Featherstone Street
London EC1Y 8RT
Website: www.verity-pcos.org.uk