Menstrual Glossary A to Z

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Most often called PCOS, less often referred to as PCO, PCOD, functional ovarian hyperandrogenism, and the condition's original name, Stein-Leventhal syndrome.

A common, hormonally-based female condition that can result in infertility, is sometimes inadequately diagnosed, yet often easily treatable. Common names utilizing the term cyst can be misleading because not all women with this condition experience numerous cysts on their ovaries.

The most recent consensus of worldwide endocrinology experts (from 2003) concludes that a diagnosis of the condition depends on two of these three criteria: oligoovulation or anovulation, excess androgen activity, polycystic ovaries (by ultrasound view) where other hormonal disorders are eliminated as a cause.

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