Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Known as PCOS for short, affects the normal functions of a woman's ovaries. 

The three main features of PCOS are:

• Irregular Periods – which means your ovaries do not regularly release eggs (ovulation)

• Excess Androgen – high levels of "male" hormones in your body, which may cause physical signs such as excess facial or body hair

• Polycystic Ovaries – your ovaries become enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs (follicles) that surround the eggs (but despite the name, you do not have cysts if you have PCOS)

If you have at least 2 of these features, you may be diagnosed with PCOS.

Polycystic Ovaries

Polycystic ovaries contain many harmless follicles up to 8mm (approximately 0.3in) in size. 

The follicles are underdeveloped sacs in which eggs develop. In PCOS, these sacs are often unable to release an egg, so ovulation does not occur.

It isn't easy to know precisely how many women have PCOS, but it's thought to be very common, affecting about 1 in every ten women in the UK.

More than half of these women do not have any symptoms.

Symptoms of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

If you have signs and symptoms of PCOS, they'll usually become apparent during your late teens or early 20s.

They can include:

• irregular periods or no periods at all

• difficulty getting pregnant as a result of irregular ovulation or no ovulation

• excessive hair growth (hirsutism) – usually on the face, chest, back or buttocks

• weight gain

• thinning hair and hair loss from the head

• oily skin or acne

PCOS is also associated with an increased risk of developing health problems in later life, such as type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol levels.

What Causes Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but it often runs in families.

It's related to abnormal hormone levels, including high insulin levels.

PCOS and Hair Growth

PCOS can cause excessive or unwanted hair due to increased production and activity of hormones such as testosterone and androgens. The location, number and thickness of growth can vary between individuals: some women experience little or none,  and others may see a lot.

If the hairs are thick and dark enough, laser treatment may help to reduce the thickness and number. However: laser cannot permanently remove every hair, and in some cases, the energy can stimulate growth (paradoxical hypertrichosis:

 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20100274/)

Electrolysis is hugely successful in eradicating hair growth caused by PCOS. The condition is incurable, and hormonal disruption may occur throughout a sufferer's life. If new hairs appear, they can be swiftly dealt with: more of a nuisance than a major concern.