Endocrine and Metabolic - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Background
Disease Etiology
Polycystic ovary (or ovarian) syndrome (PCOS) is a syndrome of unknown etiology typically characterized by hyperandrogenism, anovulation and/or polycystic ovary morphology (1). The word ‘cyst’ is misleading (2). In PCOS, there are abnormally high numbers of ovarian follicles. These follicles appear similar to cysts on ultrasound but they are not actually cysts. The difference is an ovarian follicle has a microscopic oocyte maturing inside, whereas a cyst dose not. In addition,
Polycystic ovary (or ovarian) syndrome (PCOS) is a syndrome of unknown etiology typically characterized by hyperandrogenism, anovulation and/or polycystic ovary morphology (1). The word ‘cyst’ is misleading (2). In PCOS, there are abnormally high numbers of ovarian follicles. These follicles appear similar to cysts on ultrasound but they are not actually cysts. The difference is an ovarian follicle has a microscopic oocyte maturing inside, whereas a cyst dose not. In addition,