polycystic ovarian syndrome

polycystic ovarian syndrome A hormonal problem, also known as polycystic ovarian disease, that causes women to have symptoms that include irregular or no menstruation, acne, obesity, and excess hair growth. Abbreviated PCOS. Women with PCOS do not ovulate (release an egg for fertilization) every month. They are at an increased risk for high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer). Much of this risk can be reversed with exercise and weight loss. Medication is generally prescribed to induce regular menstruation, thereby reducing the cancer risk. For acne and excess hair growth, the diuretic medication spironolactone (brand name: Aldactazide) can help. Clomiphene (brand name: Clomid) can be used to induce ovulation if pregnancy is desired. Surgical procedures involving the removal or destruction of a piece of the ovary seem to help some women. The cause of PCOS is unknown, but the ovaries of affected women contain a number of small cysts. Also known as Stein-Leventhal syndrome.