POLYCYSTIC OVARY SYNDROME

What is it?

In polycystic ovary syndrome, the normal levels of some hormones in your body are changed. Your ovaries become bigger and covered in small cysts (fluid-filled lumps) and your periods are often affected.

What causes it?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is caused by a cycle of high hormone levels in your body. Some of these hormones are produced by the cysts on your ovaries and some are produced in the fatty tissues of your body.

It is possible that being overweight will start the condition by increasing the amount of fatty tissue which makes some of these hormones.

Who gets it?

You only get polycystic ovary syndrome after you start your periods and before the menopause.

You may be more at risk of polycystic ovary syndrome if you are overweight.

What are the symptoms?

You may notice first of all that your periods become irregular or stop. Sometimes your periods may get heavier.

You may find that you start to put on weight and that you start to get unwanted hair growth. Your skin may get greasy or you may start to get acne.

When should I go to my GP?

If your periods become irregular or stop for any length of time, or if you develop acne and unwanted hair growth, you should make a routine appointment to see your GP.

What tests will my Doctor want to do?

Your doctor will want to examine you and may need to do an internal examination.

You may need to have a pregnancy test to make sure that your symptoms are not due to pregnancy.

Your doctor may want to take some blood tests. Depending on what these show, he or she may send you to a hospital X-ray department for a scan of your ovaries, or refer you to the hospital for further tests or treatment.

What is the short-term treatment?

This depends on what the tests show and on whether you want to get pregnant. You may be treated with hormone tablets for a few days each month or with the contraceptive pill.

You may need to have an operation to get rid of some of the cysts on your ovaries.

If you want to get pregnant you will need to take other tablets.

Will I need long-term treatment?

You will need to be followed up regularly to keep an eye on the problem and to ensure that the treatment you are having is right for you.

How can I stop it getting worse?

You can make sure that you try to lose weight if you are overweight and then keep your weight down. It is also important to attend regularly for any tests or follow-up your doctor wants.