Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the leading causes of female infertility. But there are treatments that can increase the chances of pregnancy in women with this common hormonal disorder. At Penn Fertility Care - Lancaster General Health, our specialists help you overcome fertility challenges with comprehensive testing, supportive care and state-of-the-art treatments.

What Is PCOS?

PCOS is a hormone imbalance that affects how your ovaries (which produce, store and release an egg each month as part of your menstrual cycle) work. If you have the condition, your ovaries produce extra male sex hormones (androgens).

PCOS usually affects women in their 20s and 30s, affecting up to 12% of women during their childbearing years. It's one of the most common causes of infertility in women. The exact cause of PCOS is unknown.

Am I at Risk for PCOS?

You may be more likely to develop PCOS if you are overweight or have a family history of PCOS. There is also a very strong link between insulin resistance and PCOS. Insulin resistance is when your body makes insulin, but doesn't use it to take up and store glucose from your blood. As a result, your blood sugar increases. More than half of women with PCOS develop Type 2 diabetes.

What Are the Symptoms of PCOS?

Symptoms of PCOS may include:

• Irregular menstrual periods, or missed periods
• Acne
• Multiple follicles on the ovaries that aren't developing and releasing eggs, leading to decreased ovulation frequency
• Excess hair on your body and face, or thin hair or baldness on your head
• Infertility
• Skin discoloration
• Weight gain

How Is PCOS Diagnosed?

We may do a variety of tests to diagnose PCOS, including:

• Physical exam: We evaluate your symptoms and medical history, as well as your body weight and blood pressure. We also look for visible signs of PCOS, such as acne, skin discoloration and excess body hair.
• Pelvic exam: We do a pelvic exam to check for swelling in your clitoris, vulva or ovaries, which may be the result of increased androgen levels.
• Pelvic ultrasound: A pelvic ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the organs in your abdominal cavity, including your reproductive organs. We run a special tool called a transducer across your belly to create the images, which can show us if you have multiple follicles on your ovaries.
• Blood tests: We do blood tests to check your thyroid function, hormone levels and blood glucose.

Can You Get Pregnant With PCOS?

PCOS often affects fertility, because it affects the release of eggs necessary for pregnancy to occur. But it's not impossible to get pregnant if you have PCOS.