Polycystic ovary syndrome is a disease.

Written by Shen Li Wen
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Updated on May 23, 2025
00:00
00:00

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a type of endocrine disorder, and its exact cause is unclear, but it might be closely related to genetic and environmental factors. Generally, most women start to show symptoms during puberty. Blood tests for six hormone levels commonly indicate elevated androgen levels, or an imbalance in the ratio of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone. Persistent anovulation can be observed through ultrasound monitoring or basal body temperature tracking. The ovaries may display multiple cystic changes, which are actually anovulatory follicles. Some women may also experience insulin resistance and obesity. This condition can severely impact a woman’s menstrual cycle and normal fertility, as prolonged estrogen stimulation may also lead to endometrial cancer.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Xiu Rong
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 27sec home-news-image

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is what matter?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a type of gynecological endocrine disorder. Its clinical manifestations include amenorrhea, obesity, infertility, acne, and hirsutism. A key characteristic of the disease is anovulation which affects fertility. Therefore, the general diagnostic procedure for patients with suspected PCOS begins with an ultrasound at a hospital. If the ultrasound suggests PCOS, it is necessary to have a blood test for sex hormone levels on an empty stomach during the 2nd to 5th day of the menstrual cycle. Diagnosis is generally determined through a combination of sex hormone tests and ultrasound examinations, which can confirm whether one has PCOS. The causes of PCOS are generally attributed to staying up late, dieting, high stress, irregular lifestyle, indiscriminate use of contraceptives and diet pills, obesity, and patients with other endocrine disorders. Since PCOS affects fertility and is difficult to treat, patients diagnosed with this condition must seek treatment in hospital endocrinology departments or specialized gynecology departments.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by He Bing
Obstetrics and Gynecology
56sec home-news-image

How long does it take to cure polycystic ovary syndrome?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), like hypertension and diabetes, is a chronic disease that can be managed but not cured. The clinical manifestations of PCOS are diverse and vary from person to person. Some people have mild symptoms, such as slightly irregular menstruation without complete anovulation, which still allows for the possibility of natural conception. Additionally, if an individual pays close attention to adjusting their lifestyle and maintains a lean physique, the long-term health impact can be relatively minor. This situation cannot be described as self-healing or cured, but the impact of the disease is indeed not significant. Although PCOS cannot currently be completely cured, timely diagnosis and treatment of symptoms, along with consistent long-term management, can still make pregnancy and childbirth possible.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by He Bing
Obstetrics and Gynecology
1min 34sec home-news-image

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Pregnancy Rate

For women who plan to conceive, their biggest concern is whether polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) will affect their normal fertility. Normally, reproductive-aged women develop a group of 3-11 follicles each month, which after recruitment and selection, typically only one follicle fully matures and ovulates, while the other follicles degenerate after reaching a certain stage of development. However, in patients with PCOS, the ovaries contain many small and immature follicles, often more than 12. The amount of follicle-stimulating hormone secreted by the pituitary gland is not sufficient to support the development of even one follicle, leading to anovulation and infertility. For patients with PCOS who want to conceive, the greatest risk is infertility. Patients can control their weight and regulate their menstrual cycles by adjusting their lifestyle, or by using medication to induce ovulation. Generally, more than 95% of patients can successfully induce ovulation and achieve pregnancy through medication. However, the success rate of achieving pregnancy through induced ovulation after 6 attempts is only 75% to 80%. Even for those who ovulate naturally, the success rate of conception within a year is only 82%. Therefore, it is essential to be patient, as hurried efforts will not yield immediate results in treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Sun Shan Shan
Obstetrics and Gynecology
44sec home-news-image

What are the causes of polycystic ovary syndrome?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common gynecological endocrine disease, often seen in adolescence, primarily characterized by high levels of androgens. Clinically, it is mainly characterized by persistent anovulation and polycystic ovarian changes. It is often accompanied by insulin resistance and obesity. The exact cause of the disease has not yet been fully clarified, and it may be due to the interaction of genetic factors and environmental factors. Polycystic ovary syndrome requires timely treatment with hormonal drugs or laparoscopic ovarian drilling surgery, followed by further management based on the examination results.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Li Lin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
39sec home-news-image

Can polycystic ovary syndrome naturally conceive?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine disorder characterized by reproductive dysfunction and abnormalities in glucose metabolism, with persistent anovulation, excess androgens, and insulin resistance as its main features. Therefore, patients with polycystic ovary syndrome often suffer from infertility. The use of medication to reduce androgens, stimulate ovarian ovulation, control insulin resistance, combined with weight loss, can lead to the resumption of ovulation in the ovaries, thus allowing natural conception in polycystic ovary syndrome.