What is PCOS?

What is PCOS?

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

pcos: Latest results from PubMed

Nuclear receptor coactivator 4 linked to follicular dysplasia in polycystic ovary syndrome: A key regulator that aggravates ovarian granulosa cells ferritinophagy and ferroptosis

Ferroptosis is a type of cell death caused by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation and excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hyperandrogen exposure can induce ovarian ferroptosis in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, there is not enough direct evidence regarding ovarian ferroptosis in PCOS to prove the role of ferroptosis in PCOS and the underlying mechanism. Nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4) expression in ovarian granulosa cells and its mechanism of mediating...

Published on: Tue, 24 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Dejian Chen, Yu Wang, Xiaomin Wang, Xiaosa Si, Yajing Weng, Shengbing Liu, Weiwei Pan, Ying Xu, Yong Wang, Yaling Zhang,

Polygonatum Odoratum (Mill.) Druce Alleviates Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Inflammation and Improves the Ovarian Function in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Rats

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that LPS exacerbates ovarian dysfunction and inflammation in PCOS rats, while POD effectively reverses these changes, suggesting a promising avenue for research into the therapeutic potential of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of PCOS.

Published on: Tue, 24 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Biao Zheng, Xuan Che, Zhuo Chen, Di Cheng, Congbing Huang, Zhaoming Zeng, Zhongcheng Mo,

Combined Multiomics Analysis Reveals the Role of ANXA1 Methylation and miRNA-Targeted LDLR in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

CONCLUSIONS: Epigenetic mechanisms have an impact on the development of PCOS. Both ANXA1 and LDLR play important roles in the pathological process of PCOS and have the potential to be diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.

Published on: Tue, 24 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Yicen Ding, Lishi Huang, Mengju He, Fei Zhang, Yuanjun Jiang, Yani Kang,

Prevalence and genetic etiology of poly-cystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) in Mauritania

CONCLUSION: Although yet to be confirmed in larger size cohort, these data could contribute to improving the exploration, referral, and treatment of PCOS in Mauritania.

Published on: Tue, 24 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Marieme Elwafi, Abdi Ahmed, Omar Akhouayri, Ahmed Zein, Hamma Abdelkader, Roughaya Selman, Ahmed Houmeida,

Beneficial Effects of Alchemilla vulgaris in DHEA-Induced Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Alchemilla vulgaris has traditionally been used to treat gynecologic diseases. The anti-inflammatory and vasorelaxant effects of the extract of A. vulgaris (AVE) have been reported in previous studies. This study aimed to investigate the effects of A. vulgaris on PCOS, one of the most common metabolic disorders in adult women of reproductive age, accompanied by inflammation and vascular endothelial dysfunction, in an experimental animal model. Three groups of prepubertal female Wistar rats were...

Published on: Mon, 23 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Zeynep Ece Utkan Korun, Semil Selcen Gocmez, Selenay Furat, Kubra Kavram Sarihan, Fatma Ceyla Eraldemir, Huseyin Askin Akpulat, Deniz Sahin, Sule Yildiz,

Artificial intelligence in polycystic ovarian syndrome management: past, present, and future

CONCLUSION: This systematic review consolidated the latest advancements in AI-driven PCOS management encompassing prediction, diagnosis, classification, and screening of potential complications, developing a digital healthcare framework tailored to the practical clinical management of PCOS.

Published on: Mon, 23 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Jinyuan Wang, Ruxin Chen, Haojun Long, Junhui He, Masong Tang, Mingxuan Su, Renhe Deng, Yuru Chen, Rongqian Ni, Shuhua Zhao, Meng Rao, Huawei Wang, Li Tang,

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Impact of Androgen Excess on Metabolic Health

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder characterised by androgen excess, reproductive dysfunction, and metabolic disturbances. Beyond its reproductive implications, hyperandrogenism plays a central role in the pathogenesis of metabolic dysfunction, contributing to insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), metabolic-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), and cardiovascular disease (CVD). While classical androgens have long been implicated, increasing...

Published on: Mon, 23 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Leanne Cussen, Tara McDonnell, Clare Miller, Marie McIlroy, Michael W O'Reilly,

A Mendelian Randomization Study of the Association Between Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Serum Urea Levels

CONCLUSION: In this two-sample MR analysis, we present the evidence of a genetic causal relationship between serum urea levels and PCOS, thereby offering a novel perspective on the pathogenesis of this disease.

Published on: Mon, 23 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Tingting Wang, Zhaokang Qi, Shuai Zhao, Fang Lian,

Meta-analysis of INSR rs2059806 and rs1799817 polymorphisms and their association with polycystic ovarian syndrome in the Asian population

CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis suggests that the rs2059806 and rs1799817 SNPs are not significantly associated with the development of PCOS in the Asian population. Further longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings. These findings highlight the need to explore lifestyle and dietary strategies, especially in the context of insulin resistance not explained by genetic variants.

Published on: Mon, 23 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Raphael Enrique Tiongco, Miljun Catacata, Eliezer John Castro, John Ashley Flores, Sofia Alexis Dayrit, Kyll Geonzon, Ma Angelika Tongio, Michael John Dominguez,

The burden of polycystic ovary syndrome-related infertility in 204 countries and territories, 1990-2021: an analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021

CONCLUSIONS: Infertility attributed to PCOS remains to be a significant public health issue globally, with this burden varying considerably across age groups, and subtypes. Decision-makers providers must take a proactive stance in monitoring developing trends and adapting infertility screening and management protocols to different age brackets and subtypes.

Published on: Mon, 23 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Lan Zheng, Xiao Xu, Jin-Zhuo Zhou, Lin Hong, Yu-Feng He, Ya-Xing Fang, Bing-Bing Wang, Hui Chen, Kang-Jia Chen, Su-Su Yang, Xiao-Long Yang, Hai-Feng Pan, Shu-Guang Zhou,

Zinc sulfate improves insulin resistance, oxidative stress and apoptosis in liver tissues of PCOS rats through the NF-kappaB pathway

CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates that zinc sulfate ameliorates liver oxidative stress and apoptosis in PCOS by modulating the NF-κB pathway, offering a novel therapeutic approach for managing PCOS-associated liver diseases.

Published on: Mon, 23 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Yi-Fan Kang, Jia-Yi Zhao, Jian-Rong Liu,

Glycolytic Dysfunction in Granulosa Cells and Its Contribution to Metabolic Dysfunction in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine-metabolic disorder in women of reproductive age, marked by hyperandrogenism, ovulatory dysfunction, and insulin resistance, accompanied by significant metabolic disturbances, including glycolytic dysfunction, mitochondrial impairment, and increased oxidative stress. In granulosa cells (GCs), disrupted glycolysis impairs follicular development and compromises oocyte quality, exacerbating reproductive and metabolic abnormalities. At the...

Published on: Mon, 23 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Zhenzhen Cao, Qin Zhou, Jie An, Xiaojing Guo, XiaoFang Jia, Yuena Qiu,

Beyond ovarian Morphology: Integrative stress profiling for distinguishing polycystic ovary syndrome from functional hypothalamic amenorrhea

CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the significant overlap between PCOS and FHA phenotypes in women with PCOM and emphasizes the utility of psychological assessments, physical activity metrics, and leptin levels in differential diagnosis. Integrating these diagnostic tools into clinical practice may enhance personalized management strategies for OA-PCOM women, addressing both hormonal and stress-related dimensions.

Published on: Mon, 23 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Ana Vanessa Costa Rodrigues da Silva, Sérgio Reis Soares, Rui Filipe Oliveira Miguelote,

Chlorogenic acid mitigates DHEA-induced oxidative stress in granulosa cells and alleviates ferroptosis via the NF-kappaB signaling pathway in PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder, and the effects of chlorogenic acid (CA) on it are unclear. This study investigated CA's therapeutic effects and mechanisms on a dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced PCOS rat model and KGN granulosa cells, hypothesizing that CA ameliorates hormonal imbalance, inflammation, and oxidative stress in PCOS by regulating the NF - κB signaling pathway and ferroptosis - related proteins. The methods included in - vivo experiments on rats...

Published on: Sun, 22 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Yi Lin, Yahui Zhang, Xiaoying Ding, Huanbai Xu, Chuanhao Xiong, Min Tang, Yongde Peng,

EASO Position Statement: Women with Obesity Across the Reproductive Life - Fertility, Preconception, Pregnancy, Postpartum, and Breastfeeding

Obesity management in women presents distinct challenges across their lifespan. However, there is limited evidence or recommendations focused solely on women living with obesity. This European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) position statement is based on an expert comprehensive review and summary of the available scientific evidence on women living with obesity. It aims to guide the health and medical assessment of these women during their reproductive life (fertility,...

Published on: Sun, 22 Jun 2025 06:00:00 -0400

Authors: Francesca Filippi-Arriaga, Nidhi Agarwal, Diana Rodrigues-Martins, Mariana P Monteiro, Emilia Huvinen, Sara G I Suliman, Barbara McGowan, Andreea Ciudin,