Sometimes women are coming to us with ultrasonography (USG) report showing "PolyCystic Ovaries" and they are thinking that they have PCOS.
What is PCO (Polycystic Ovary)?
Polycystic ovaries have more number of follicles (fluid-filled spaces containing the eggs), which appear like cysts. However, the “cysts� in PCOS are not tumours.

What is polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)?
PCOS is hormonal disorder where there are irregular periods, excessive hair growth on face or body (“hirsutism�), loss of hair on head, oily skin, acne and weight gain along with polycystic ovaries found in ultrasound. The main problem in PCOS is not the “cysts�, rather cysts are arising because of hormonal problems.

The symptoms vary from woman to woman. Some women have very few mild symptoms, while others are affected more severely by a wider range of symptoms.

When a woman is said to have PCOS?
A diagnosis is made when you have any two of the following:

1.irregular, infrequent periods or no periods at all

2.an increase in facial or body hair and/or blood tests that show higher testosterone levels

3.an ultrasound scan that shows polycystic ovaries.

Therefore, if you have PCO in USG but you do NOT have irregular periods and you don't have excessive hair growth etc, then you DO NOT have PCOS. You just have polycystic Ovaries.

It is a quite common condition, affecting 2 to 26 in every 100 women. Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS. However, it can be kept under control.