Despite what the name suggests, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome isn’t just about ovaries—or cysts, for that matter. In fact, many people diagnosed with PCOS don’t have any ovarian cysts at all. Confusing? You’re not alone. The name dates back to how the condition was first described, but science has come a long way since then. Today, we understand that PCOS is really a complex hormonal and metabolic condition that affects far more than reproductive health.
At its core, PCOS is about hormonal imbalance. When key hormones like insulin, androgens (like testosterone), and others are out of sync, they can create a domino effect throughout the body. This hormonal miscommunication can lead to irregular periods, acne, weight changes, hair loss or excess hair growth, difficulty with ovulation or fertility—and that’s just the shortlist. But here’s the thing: PCOS doesn’t follow a single pattern. Some women experience textbook symptoms. Others don’t fit the mold at all. That’s part of what makes PCOS so challenging—and why understanding your unique experience matters.
So, how can the PCOS Association help?
We’re here to offer more than definitions. We’re here to offer direction. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, still searching for answers, or years into your journey and feeling stuck, we’re committed to helping you make sense of PCOS—and make progress.
Here’s what you’ll find at PCOSA:
✅ Reliable, science-backed information about what PCOS is (and isn’t)
💬 Supportive communities of people who understand exactly what you’re going through
🧬 Resources for navigating fertility, metabolic health, nutrition, and more
🧠 Education for providers who want to better support their PCOS patients
🙋♀️ Advocacy to make sure PCOS is recognized, researched, and respected
No fluff. No fad cures. Just real support, grounded in evidence and compassion.
At PCOSA, we believe every person with PCOS deserves to be informed, empowered, and heard. Wherever you are in your journey, we’re honored to walk with you.
pcos: Latest results from PubMed
CONCLUSION: This study suggests a continuous interaction among ANGPTL, omentin-1, leptin, and cytokines in the etiopathogenesis of PCOS.
Published on: Thu, 04 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: Rumeysa Çınar, Özlem Kayacık Günday, Ahmet Kahraman, Mehmet Yılmazer,
CONCLUSION: The global burden of PCOS has intensified over the past three decades, with a disproportionate impact in low- and middle-SDI regions. The syndrome predominantly affects women of reproductive age, especially those between 20 and 39 years of age. Although socioeconomic inequalities have lessened to some extent, disparities remain significant, and resource-rich nations continue to underperform in addressing the disease burden. Comprehensive strategies emphasizing timely diagnosis,...
Published on: Thu, 04 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: YunLan Wang, DongYi Shen, Chan Zhu, Wei Sun, Yun Qian, Hong Yang,
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex, multifactorial, and polygenic disorder. Here, we employed machine learning (ML) techniques to analyze large open-source datasets to identify bioactive molecules in foods and pharmacological agents that interact with genes and biological functions central to PCOS pathophysiology. We selected 13 PCOS-associated genes as targets, and the network propagation algorithm systematically identified bioactive molecules that interact with pathways relevant to...
Published on: Thu, 04 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: Simon Hanassab, Joshua Southern, Ayomide V Olabode, Ivan Laponogov, Michael Bronstein, Alexander N Comninos, Thomas Heinis, Ali Abbara, Chioma Izzi-Engbeaya, Kirill Veselkov, Waljit S Dhillo,
CONCLUSIONS: miR-1271-5p served as a biomarker for PCOS, predicting disease risk and diagnosing disease onset. The miR-1271-5p/PRKAR1A axis regulated granulosa cell injury under LPS, which can be considered a potential therapeutic target for PCOS.
Published on: Thu, 04 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: Ke Chen, Yanni Lv, Xuehua Cai, Yanxia Huang, Aizhen Pan,
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted endocrine disorder affecting 5-20 % of reproductive-aged women, characterized by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, insulin resistance, and chronic low-grade inflammation. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of chlorogenic acid (CGA), a bioactive polyphenol abundant with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, in a letrozole (LZ)-induced PCOS mouse model. Forty-eight adult female mice were divided into four groups (n =...
Published on: Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: Seyed Sobhan Bahreiny, Layasadat Khorsandi, Khojasteh Hoseinynejad, Akram Ahangarpour,
Pilonidal disease is a dermatologic condition of the natal cleft that affects primarily adolescents. Its severity ranges from asymptomatic to chronically recurring disease. Like pilonidal disease, polycystic ovary syndrome commonly begins to affect women in their adolescence. PCOS is increasing in prevalence, affecting 6-20 % of women, and can significantly compromise quality of life by contributing to acne, weight gain, hirsutism, development of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, mental disorders...
Published on: Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: Nicholas Yung, Gwendolyn Towers, Anum Wani, Michael G Caty, Robert A Cowles, Daniel G Solomon, Alla Vash-Margita,
CONCLUSION: OSCSTs are rare but clinically significant causes of hyperandrogenism, characterized by symptoms of HA such as oligomenorrhea, acne, hirsutism, and clitoromegaly. It has always been misdiagnosed due to overlapping features with PCOS and adrenal disorders. Early identification and complete surgical resection are critical for biochemical remission and symptom resolution.
Published on: Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: Yi-Quan Sang, Xian-Ling Wang, Zhao-Hui Lyu, Jian-Ming Ba, Yu Pei, Qing-Hua Guo,
CONCLUSION: Although a clear dose-response relationship was not observed, women who underwent ART had an increased risk of CVD, mainly driven by thromboembolism.
Published on: Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: Huong Thu Nguyen, Hans Ivar Hanevik, Abigail Fraser, Deborah A Lawlor, Kari Furu, Jacqueline M Cohen, Maria C Magnus,
CONCLUSIONS: Grade II obesity is an independent risk factor for poor response to letrozole ovulation induction in PCOS. Personalized treatment based on BMI may enhance success rates.
Published on: Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: Shanti Tholiya, Archana Kumari, Reeta Mahey, Mani Kalaivani, Hem C Sati, Mona Sharma, Aarthi K Jayraj, Neena Malhotra,
CONCLUSION: Collectively, these results indicate that Pg-hWE ameliorates PCOS-related pathology by reducing oxidative stress, suppressing apoptosis, and supporting hormonal balance, highlighting its promise as a natural therapeutic candidate.
Published on: Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: Sohee Moon, Yena Oh, Hajin Noh, Soo Dong Kim, Jae Youl Cho,
CONCLUSION: We conclude that pre-pregnancy SUA does not impair reproductive outcomes in women without PCOS undergoing IUI treatment. Fetal growth and subsequent birth weight would appear to benefit from an appropriate maternal SUA level. However, the precise efficacy and mechanism of action need to be further investigated.
Published on: Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: Xiaohui Zhang, Yehao Dong, Ronghao Sun, Haochen Yang, Lu Yu, Dan Wang, Runze Chang, Xinyang Wei, Shilei Wang, Fei Chen, Qianqian Qin,
CONCLUSIONS: This article provides an evidence-based basis for clinical screening, individualized intervention, and pregnancy management of SCH. The findings suggest that further high-quality studies are needed to clarify the mechanism of each risk factor and optimize the pregnancy outcomes of ART patients.
Published on: Wed, 03 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: Xi Yi, None Zhaxicuo, Dongmei Tian,
CONCLUSION: In normal-weight PCOS patients, chiglitazar is similar to MET with regard to improving menstrual frequency and total testosterone (TT) and LH levels. Compared with MET, chiglitazar significantly improves fasting insulin levels, insulin and blood glucose levels at 120 min of the OGIRT and advances the insulin peak.
Published on: Tue, 02 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: Yining Yang, Yi Han, Jinhui Xu, Yijia Gao, Bing He,
CONCLUSION: Girls who binge eat during adolescence may have increased odds of developing PCOS.
Published on: Tue, 02 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: Sarah Thornburgh, Ashley I Naimi, Kendrin R Sonneville, Jorge E Chavarro, Penelope P Howards, Audrey J Gaskins,
Beta-glucans (βTGs) are a class of dietary fibers and biologically active polysaccharides derived from natural sources, known for their diverse bioactive properties. Their documented effects include anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, prebiotic, anti-obesity, anti-allergic, anti-microbial, antiviral, anti-osteoporotic, and immunomodulating activities. Despite these well-established benefits, the role of βTG in dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) remains largely...
Published on: Tue, 02 Dec 2025 06:00:00 -0500
Authors: H Yüce, N Basak Turkmen, M Aydin, A Taşlıdere, D Aşkin Özek, S Şenkal, S Aslan, A Dogan, O Ciftci, S Ünüvar,