Known to deny women a chance to enjoy motherhood, polycystic ovaries is one of the major causes of infertility among women.

A woman with the condition usually has many cysts that develop from ovarian follicles, but which fail to rupture and release eggs, a prerequisite for fertilization. 

The cause of the condition is still unknown, but doctors’ suspect is both genetic and environmental. What many however agree is the condition occurs due to abnormally high production of the hormone androgen by the ovaries and the adrenal glands, who cause is not known.

Currently, researchers are trying to find out whether the primary cause of the condition is due to abnormal insulin activity, or a defect within the ovary.

Women who develop Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) have greater risk of developing ovarian cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, especially Type 2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease. It occurs frequently in women who are obese.

Doctors usually carry out blood and ultra sound tests when they suspect a woman has PCOS. According to a report published in The Lancet of September 3, 2007, an estimated 1 in every 15 women worldwide are affected by this condition, with burden likely to increase.

Although some women with PCOS show no symptoms, others do. These indications include:

• Erratic periods
  
• Heavy bleeding
  
• Absence of periods
  
• Excess facial and body hair
  
• High blood sugar
  
• Infertility
  
• Male-pattern baldness
  
• Excess acne