Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Polycystic Ovary Syndrome is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Bilateral Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Ovarian Hyperthecosis
Ovarian Syndrome
PCOS
Polycystic Bilateral Ovarian Syndrome
POS
Sclerocystic Ovarian Disease
Stein-Leventhal Syndrome
anovulation with hyperandrogenism

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects women and is a complex of symptoms that are not necessarily all present in all cases. Some, but not all, affected women have multiple cysts on the ovaries (polycystic ovaries). Other characteristics include the absence of menstruation (amenorrhea) or irregular menstruation, failure of the ovary to release eggs (anovulation), elevated levels of the male hormones known as androgens (hyperandrogenism), excessive amounts of body hair (hirsutism), a high rate of miscarriage, and infertility. Three criteria often used for a diagnosis are menstrual irregularity, hyperandrogenism, and exclusion of other disease. There is some evidence that PCOS is an inherited condition.

Resources

National Women's Health Network
514 10th Street NW
Suite 400
Washington, D.C. 20004
USA
Tel: 2026287814
Fax: 2023471168
Email: nwhn@nwhn.org
Internet: http://www.womenshealthnetwork.org

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Association
PO Box 3403
Engelwood, CO 80111
USA
Email: info@pcosupport.org
Internet: http://www.pcosupport.org

OBGYN.net: The Obstetrics & Gynecology Network
Web Site on the Internet

Email: info@obgyn.net
Internet: http://www.obgyn.net

NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
31 Center Dr
Building 31, Room 2A32
MSC2425
Bethesda, MD 20892
Tel: (301)496-5133
Fax: (301)496-7101
Internet: http://www.nih.gov/hichd/

Hormone Foundation
8401 Connecticut Ave
Suite 900
Chevy Chase, MD 20815
Fax: (310)941-0259
Tel: (800)467-6663
Email: hormone@endo-society.org
Internet: http://www.hormone.org

Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Trust (New Zealand)
PO Box 29-545
Fendalton Mall, Memorial Ave.
Christchurch, 8005
New Zealand
Tel: +64 3 3584 507
Fax: +64 3 3584 506
Email: CAHNZ@snap.net.nz

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 4/15/2008
Copyright 1986, 1989, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2005 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: April 15, 2008

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