In this video, our fertility experts, Dr. Kara and Dr. Hillary, discuss PCOS and how it can impact a woman's fertility.
What is PCOS?
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. Women with PCOS have a hormonal imbalance and metabolism problems that may affect their overall health and appearance. PCOS is also a common and treatable cause of infertility.
What are the Symptoms of PCOS?
Some of the symptoms of PCOS include:
Irregular menstrual cycle. Women with PCOS may miss periods or have fewer periods (fewer than eight in a year). Or, their periods may come every 21 days or more often. Some women with PCOS stop having menstrual periods.
Too much hair on the face, chin, or parts of the body where men usually have hair. This is called "hirsutism." Hirsutism affects up to 70% of women with PCOS.
Acne on the face, chest, and upper back.
Thinning hair or hair loss on the scalp; male-pattern baldness Weight gain or difficulty losing weight.
Darkening of skin, particularly along neck creases, in the groin, and underneath breasts.
Skin tags, which are small excess flaps of skin in the armpits or neck area.