Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a dysfunction of women’s hormones. Typically, the ovaries of women with PCOS produce more of the male hormone, testosterone. However, many women do not know they have PCOS. In a study that was conducted in 2009, up to 70% of women had not been diagnosed.

With PCOS, there are many small sacs of fluid that develop along the outer edge of the ovary, called cysts. These small fluid-filled cysts contain immature eggs, called follicles. These follicles fail to regularly release eggs. However, symptoms of PCOS go far beyond just reproductive issues.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms of PCOS usually first show themselves around the time of the first menstrual period. However, sometimes symptoms develop later after you have had periods for a while.

The symptoms of PCOS vary. A diagnosis of PCOS is made when you have at least two of these:

• Irregular periods. Having few menstrual periods or having periods that aren't regular are common signs of PCOS. Periods that are long in length is also a common sign of PCOS. For example, you might have fewer than nine periods a year. And those periods may occur more than 35 days apart.

• Too much androgen. High levels of the hormone androgen may be a symptom of PCOS. Sometimes, severe acne and male-pattern baldness can happen, too.

• Polycystic ovaries. Your ovaries might be bigger. Many follicles containing immature eggs may develop around the edge of the ovary. Therefore, these ovaries may not work the way they should.

Some other common symptoms of PCOS include:

• Excess hair growth

• Overweight/obesity

• Darkening of the skin

• Skin tags

• Infertility

What causes PCOS?

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. Factors that may play a role include:

• Insulin resistance. Insulin is a hormone that is produced by the pancreas. This allows cells to use sugar, your body's primary energy supply. If these cells become resistant to insulin, then your blood sugar levels can rise. This will then cause your body to make more insulin to try to bring down the blood sugar level.

• Low-grade inflammation. White blood cells make substances in response to an infection or injury. This response is called low-grade inflammation. Research shows that people with PCOS have some type of long-term, low-grade inflammation that leads polycystic ovaries to produce androgens. This can also lead to heart and blood vessel problems.

• Heredity. Research suggests that certain genes may be linked to PCOS. Having a family history of PCOS can possibly play a role in developing the condition.

• Excess androgen. With PCOS, the ovaries may produce high levels of androgens. Having too much androgen interferes with ovulation. Excess androgen also can result in hirsutism and acne.

What are some complications from PCOS?

Complications of PCOS can include:

• Infertility

• Gestational diabetes or pregnancy-induced high blood pressure

• Miscarriage or premature birth

• Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis — a severe liver inflammation caused by fat buildup in the liver

• Metabolic syndrome — a cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and unhealthy cholesterol or triglyceride levels that significantly increase your risk of heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease

• Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes

• Sleep apnea

• Depression, anxiety and eating disorders

• Cancer of the uterine lining (endometrial cancer)

What is the current treatment for PCOS?

Depending on what type of PCOS you have, the treatment plan may vary. Treatment can include:

• Lifestyle changes (weight loss, low calorie diet, exercise,

• Medication (hormonal birth control, Metformin, Letrozole, acne treatments)

However, these treatments help to manage the symptoms, not address the root cause. PCOS is a chronic condition with no known cure, so the goal is to keep symptoms at bay.