Polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is the most common endocrine disorder in women of reproductive age. A review of the international prevalence of PCOS found that the prevalence of PCOS could be as high as 26% among some populations. Despite its prevalence, the exact cause of PCOS remains uncertain. Its primary characteristics include hyperandrogenism, anovulation, insulin resistance, and neuroendocrine disruption. The syndrome is named after the characteristic cysts which may form on the ovaries, though it is important to note that this is a symptom and not the underlying cause of the disorder.