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PCOS Awareness
Key Facts on PCOS
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects an estimated 8–13% of reproductive-aged women.
- Up to 70% of affected women remain undiagnosed worldwide.
- PCOS is the commonest cause of anovulation and a leading cause of infertility.
- PCOS is associated with a variety of long-term health problems that affect physical and emotional wellbeing.
- PCOS runs in families, but there are ethnic variations in how PCOS manifests itself and how it affects people.
- The rate of infertility is estimated to be 15 times higher in people with PCOS than in those without the condition
PCOS a significant public health problem and is one of the commonest hormonal disturbances affecting women of reproductive age. The condition affects an estimated 8–13% of women of reproductive age, and up to 70% of cases are undiagnosed.
The prevalence of PCOS is higher among some ethnicities and these groups often experience more complications, in particular related to metabolic problems.
- Chinese: 4.4 to 7.3%
- White: 4.8 to 6.3%
- Middle Eastern: 5.3 to 18.6%
- Black: 5.3 to 7.1%
The biological and psychological effects of PCOS, particularly those related to obesity, body image and infertility, can lead to mental health challenges and social stigma
Symptoms
Symptoms of polycystic ovary syndrome can differ from person to person. Symptoms may change over time and often occur without a clear trigger.
Possible symptoms include:
- heavy, long, intermittent, unpredictable or absent periods
- infertility
- acne or oily skin
- excessive hair on the face or body
- male-pattern baldness or hair thinning
- weight gain, especially around the belly.
People with PCOS are more likely to have other health conditions including:
- type 2 diabetes
- hypertension (high blood pressure)
- high cholesterol
- heart disease
- endometrial cancer (cancer of the inner lining of the uterus).
PCOS can also cause anxiety, depression and a negative body image. Some symptoms such as infertility, obesity and unwanted hair growth can lead to social stigma. This can affect other life areas such as family, relationships, work and involvement in the community.
Higher weight: More than half of people with PCOS have overweight or obesity, per the CDC.
Insulin resistance: About 50 to 70 percent of people with PCOS have insulin resistance