Polycystic ovary disease - Symptom
Alternative Names
Polycystic ovaries; Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS); Stein-Leventhal syndrome; Polyfollicular ovarian disease
Symptoms:
If you have polycystic ovary disease, you are likely to have some of the following symptoms:
- Abnormal, irregular, or very light or infrequent menstrual periods
- Absent periods, usually (but not always) after having one or more normal menstrual periods during puberty (secondary amenorrhea)
- Acne that gets worse
- Decreased breast size
- Development of male sex characteristics (virilization), such as increased body hair, facial hair, a deepening of the voice, male-pattern baldness, and enlargement of the clitoris
- Diabetes
- Increased hair growth; body hair may be in a male pattern
- Infertility
- Poor response to the hormone, insulin (insulin resistance), leading to a build-up of insulin in the blood
- Weight gain, or obesity
Signs and tests:
During a pelvic examination, the health care provider may note an enlarged clitoris (very rare finding) and enlarged ovaries.
Tests include:
Blood tests that may be done include:
- Reviewed last on: 2/5/2008
- Peter Chen, MD, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
References
Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby;2007.