Background

Polycystic means ‘many cysts’; syndrome refers to more than one symptom. About 20% of women have multiple
cysts on their ovaries, but not all of those develop symptoms of PCOS. This may be down to genetic factors
(which affect men too but in different ways) and research is ongoing.

The cysts develop because of hormonal disturbance in the ovaries, which means the egg-releasing follicles don’t
develop properly every month, get stuck and become the ‘many cysts’. In PCOS, the ‘hormonal household is in total disarray’, as one gynaecologist puts it, leading to a whole range of symptoms.

The most common symptoms are irregular periods (60-90%), excessive facial or bodily hair (70-80%),
infertility (40-60%), overweight (30-50%), no periods (30-50%), acne (20-35%).

Other symptoms include: hair loss, tender breasts, miscarriage, bloating, joint pain, pelvic or abdominal pain,
mood swings, depression and fatigue.

Women with PCOS may have a greater risk of developing late-onset diabetes, high cholesterol levels,
heart disease and stroke, and endometrial cancer.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis requires a good history and examination, extensive blood tests which may need to be repeated
and ultrasound scan.

Treatment

This depends on what your problem is. Different treatment options will be offered for infertility, acne,
excessive hair growth, etc. Do talk to your GP about your main worries.

It’s vital to have as healthy a lifestyle as you can, maintaining normal weight with a good diet and regular
exercise, and keeping a positive attitude. Research shows that natural therapies such as herbal medicine
can help, as can eating foods rich in Essential Fatty Acids and/or taking supplements.
Acupuncture and electro-acupuncture may also help.

If you don’t want to get pregnant, the low dose oral contraceptive pill or a progestogen-only pill may
regulate periods and some types help control excess hair. But there are side effects and risks
which need to be taken into consideration for women with PCOS. The progestogen-releasing coil can also
be used with fewer problems and other drugs may be offered for acne and hirsutism.

But you must always be carefully monitored. Other drugs such as Metformin, which balances
insulin, may be useful. A form of surgery called ovarian diathermy can sometimes help, especially in infertility.

If you want to get pregnant different drugs may be required.

CAM Treatments that may help include:

• Herbal medicine
• Acupuncture
• Dietary advice and weight reduction
• Homeopathy
• Reflexology

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