polycystic ovary syndrome

polycystic ovary syndrome

Endocrine disorder in women, characterized by high androgen levels and infrequent or absent ovulation (see reproductive system).

It causes a high proportion of female infertility cases. Symptoms vary but often include hirsutism, acne, and obesity. Menstruation may be irregular, absent, or excessive. The ovaries are usually enlarged and contain cysts. The disease may remain undiagnosed until a woman tries to conceive. The underlying cause is not fully understood. Treatment attempts to reduce androgen production. Infertility may be treated with clomiphene citrate or gonadotropins to induce ovulation or with laparoscopy.

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Universalium. 2010.

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  • Polycystic ovary syndrome — This article needs more medical references for verification. Please review the contents of the article and add the appropriate references if you can. Help may also be requested at Wikipedia:WikiProject Medicine. Please remove this message after… …   Wikipedia

  • polycystic ovary syndrome — noun : a variable disorder that is marked especially by amenorrhea, hirsutism, obesity, infertility, and ovarian enlargement and is usually initiated by an elevated level of luteinizing hormone, androgen, or estrogen which results in an abnormal… …   Useful english dictionary

  • polycystic ovary syndrome — noun Date: 1967 a variable disease that is marked by amenorrhea, hirsutism, obesity, infertility, and ovarian enlargement and is usually initiated by an elevated level of luteinizing hormone, androgen, or estrogen which results in an abnormal… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • Infertility in polycystic ovary syndrome — Polycystic ovary disease (PCOS) is thought to be one of the leading causes of female infertility.[1][2][3][4] Polycystic ovary syndrome is the cause of more than 75% of cases of anovulatory infertility.[5] …   Wikipedia

  • polycystic ovary syndrome — (POS) a hormonal disorder characterized by incomplete development of Graafian follicle in the ovary due to inadequate secretion of luteinizing hormone; the follicles fail to ovulate and remain as multiple cysts distending the ovary. Further… …   Medical dictionary

  • polycystic ovary syndrome — noun A syndrome characterised by polycystic ovaries, menstrual disturbance, and high levels of androgens or insulin …   Wiktionary

  • polycystic ovary syndrome — PCOS; = Stein Leventhal syndrome a heterogeneous disorder characterized by amenorrhoea or oligomenorrhoea (absent or infrequent menstrual periods), hirsutism and other features of hyperandrogenism, and enlarged ovaries with multiple small cysts… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • polycystic ovarian syndrome — noun see polycystic ovary syndrome …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • polycystic ovary syndrome — /pɒliˈsɪstɪk/ (say polee sistik) noun Medicine a disorder, possibly genetic, leading to irregularities in ovulation and menstruation in women; associated with acne, excess hair growth, insulin resistance, and obesity. Abbrev.: PCOS …  

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