Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects around 9% of Australian women. It typically presents with a combination of menstrual irregularity (usually infrequent or absent periods), signs of testosterone excess (excessive hair growth, acne or oily skin) and polycystic appearing ovaries on ultrasound.
PCOS can lead to difficulty in becoming pregnant due to a lack of regular ovulation. An increased risk in developing diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and uterine cancer has also been found.
Although there is no single cure for PCOS, it can often be managed with lifestyle changes (exercise and weight loss), the contraceptive pill or metformin tablets. If assistance with fertility is required there are several options to assist in achieving a pregnancy.