Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is a problem in which a woman has an imbalance of female sex hormones which results in irregular or delayed periods and makes it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS may also cause unwanted changes in physical appearance. If not treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease.

PCOS is a common problem, affecting as many as 1 out of every 15 women. Often the symptoms begin in teen years. Treatment can help control symptoms as well as prevent long-term problems. The incidence of PCOS appears to be on the rise or perhaps it is now being diagnosed more often. It is seen in as many as 25 – 30% of young women. In younger girls, the symptoms are mainly cosmetic as they get disturbed by the acne, weight gain, and facial hair. For married women, PCOS often manifests as an inability to conceive. In this condition, ovulation may not occur regularly, and as the egg does not come out each month, the chances of pregnancy are also low. It can be treated by medicines that cause the patient to ovulate and she may become pregnant.

Doctors may often prescribe drugs that are used for diabetic patients, as these drugs are insulin sensitizers and improve insulin insensitivity, which is one of the main causes behind PCOS. So a malfunction of the body’s blood sugar control system (insulin system) is frequent in women with PCOS, who often have insulin resistance and elevated blood insulin levels (Hyperinsulinemia). The root cause of PCOS is insulin resistance.