Disease Symptoms

The polycystyc ovary syndrome is an endocrinological disease affecting almost 5% of women, most of them of fertile age. The disease is particularly defined not by the presence of cysts on the ovaries but by its clinical manifestations.


The signs and symptoms of this disorder are protean, and usually consist in weight gain or obesity, acne, amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea, infertility, oily skin, depression, hair loss and the deepening of the voice. These symptoms start manifesting usually in puberty but they may go unnoticed for years. An accurate history of regular menses (after the menarche) is important since it usually rules out the diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome.  The menstrual abnormalities are determined by the chronic anovulation, some women having secondary amenorrhea (absence of menses for 6 months) or oligomenorrhea (infrequent periods, nine or less in a year ). Because of the anovulation, the women with this condition may have difficulties in conceiving, polycystic ovary syndrome being the most common cause of women infertility. Another consequence of anovulatory menstrual cycles is represented by dysfunctional uterine bleeding.

The excess of androgen hormones may lead to another disturbing sign: hirsutism (increased hairgrowth with a typical male pattern , on the face-usually on the upper lip or under the chin-,  forearms, legs and abdomen. A severe form of acne  affecting the face, shoulders, chest and back and androgenic alopecia ( a male pattern baldness accompanied by the thinning of the hair) are also the consequences of the large amount of  androgen hormones. Another dermatological feature, acanthosis nigricans may occur, due to the reduced sensitivity to insulin. Acanthosis nigricans  usually presents as the thickening and the hyperpigmentation of the skin in the skin folds, underarms, around the neck and groin. Skin tags may also be found on the neck or in the axilair region.

Almost 50% of all women with polycystic ovary disease have weight problems by gaining weight easily and having difficulties in losing weight inspite of a balanced lifestyle. The adipous tissue is usually concentrated in the subumbilical area and around the waist. Weight problems increase the risks of developing other metabolic disorder.

The women with polycystic ovary syndrome have an increased risk of developing other important disorders. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus type 2, dyslipidemia, and cancer are the most important disorders to which these women are predisposed. Most women owith this syndrome experience in some degree a form of insulin resistance and almost 30% will have problems concerning the glucidic metabolism. The risk of developing diabetes mellitus increases in time. The hypertension, combined with high levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and high levels of fats will increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The anovulation and the irregular periods will affect the lining of the uterus, increasing the risk for endometrial hyperplasia and, in time for endometrial carcinoma.