Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance common among teenaged girls. It occurs when a woman's ovaries or adrenal glands produce more androgens (male hormones) than normal. In such cases, fluid-filled sacs or cysts can form on the ovaries. Cysts are overgrown follicles, the tiny, naturally-occurring sacs that hold growing eggs. When cysts form, they bunch together and prevent mature eggs from flowing into the uterus during ovulation. PCOS is also linked to insulin resistance, which in turn has been linked to metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes. The body uses insulin to metabolize, or break down, glucose and carbohydrates to produce energy. Insulin resistance occurs when people produce enough insulin but don't metabolize it properly. Obese people are particularly susceptible to it.

Why Should You Be Concerned about PCOS?

PCOS affects an estimated 5%-10% of women of childbearing age and is a leading cause of infertility. Furthermore, when women with PCOS do become pregnant - naturally or with assistive reproductive technology—they are at greater risk for miscarriages. As many as 30% of women have some features of PCOS. The typical signs are:

• Irregular periods—periods that come irregularly, not at all, or too frequently
• Pelvic pain
• Extra hair on the face or other parts of the body (called hirsuitism)
• Acne
• Weight gain and/or trouble losing weight
• Patches of dark skin on the back of the neck and other areas
• Male-pattern baldness or thinning hair

If you're concerned about any of these symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider. You may experience these symptoms for reasons other than PCOS. Only your healthcare provider can properly diagnose the syndrome.

What You Can Do

Your healthcare provider can help you manage many of the symptoms—particularly if PCOS is diagnosed and treated early—by recommending lifestyle changes. These include:

• Exercising regularly. Exercise can help the body generate energy, reduce blood glucose levels, and use insulin more efficiently. It also improves circulation, builds muscles, and may aid weight loss.
• Changing your diet. Your health can improve by following a diet low in saturated fat and high in fiber from predominantly low-glycemic-index carbohydrate food (food that helps to keep blood glucose and insulin levels within a healthy range).
• Using nutritional products. A medical food for insulin resistance and supplements containing fiber, cinnamon, and green tea catechins help to regulate blood sugar and insulin levels. Herbs such as chasteberry promote female hormonal balance and reproductive health.

If you're worried about PCOS, your healthcare provider can work with you to develop a lifestyle change program to help you achieve lasting good health.