In a normal monthly cycle, follicles (immature eggs) develop, and one egg is released into the fallopian tube during ovulation. In women with PCOS, the hormones needed for an egg to fully mature are not present, preventing ovulation from occurring and causing cysts to form on the ovaries.

According to the Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Foundation, 5-10% of women of childbearing age are affected by PCOS. However, less than 50% of women are diagnosed, which leaves millions of women undiagnosed.

 The exact cause is unknown although there is a genetic component.

PCOS cannot be cured but early diagnosis and treatment along with weight management and lifestyle management  may reduce the risk of long-term complications.

 Infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods, excessive hair growth, acne, and obesity can all occur in women with PCOS. In adolescents, infrequent or absent menstruation may raise suspicion for the condition.

No, not all women with PCOS have difficulty becoming pregnant. For those that do experience difficulty, infrequent ovulation is a common cause.  In women who have difficulty ovulating, PCOS is responsible for 70% of infertility issues.

For those that do experience difficulty achieving pregnancy, infrequent ovulation is a common cause.

The ovulation-inducing oral medications clomiphene citrate and letrozole are the principal treatments used to promote ovulation.

For women who are not responsive to these medications even with diet and lifestyle modification, there are additional treatment options. For example, using follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) injections, the ovaries can be stimulated to produce eggs, which would be followed by intrauterine insemination (IUI) or in vitro fertilization (IVF).