Most women believe that polycystic ovaries are only related to their cycle and fertility. But that’s not the case. 

The truth is that polycystic ovaries may affect many aspects of a woman's health, her looks and also her daily life. Let's see the symptoms that a woman with polycystic ovaries may have:

• Acne
• Excess facial and body hair
• Oily skin
• “Apple” body type
• Increased body weight or difficulty losing weight
• Irregular period cycle or too many days from one period to the next (over 35-40 days, even 60 days or more)
• High testosterone levels
• High AMH levels
• Insulin resistance, which affects blood sugar levels

Not all women have the same symptoms, nor the same intensity. As for the ovaries, on the ultrasound they seem swollen (with a large volume) and with a large number of small follicles just below the surface of the ovaries (perimetrical).

In general, women with the most severe symptoms, especially those who have changes in their metabolism (e.g., weight gain, insulin resistance, diabetes), are diagnosed with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

A common practice for treating the symptoms of polycystic ovaries is the use of contraceptives. But many times, a woman finds out she has polycystic ovaries when she is trying to get pregnant. Polycystic ovaries affect fertility when a woman has anovulatory cycles, i.e., cycles during which ovulation does not occur normally. In this case, a pregnancy is not possible.

Did you know…

• It is easy to find out if you have polycystic ovaries. Besides the obvious symptoms, a series of simple blood tests (hormone profile) and an ultrasound are enough.
• Polycystic ovaries are probably the most common cause of infertility in young women
• If a woman has stopped the birth control pill, she can try for a pregnancy from the very first month
• If a woman with polycystic ovaries has a cycle of more than 35 days, then her ovulation is probably not predictable therefore she may have difficulty getting pregnant. In this case, the appropriate treatment is ovulation induction
• Polycystic ovaries are probably the most common reason a young woman may need IVF to get pregnant