Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common health condition in women that involves irregular function of the ovaries. There are three key features of the condition, and the presence of any two of the following symptoms may lead to a diagnosis of PCOS.

What is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Treatment

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Prognosis

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Causes

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Diagnosis

Recent Research into Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Pathogenesis

Genetics of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Metabolic Syndrome

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and the Contraceptive Pill

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Symptoms

Latest Polycystic Ovary Syndrome News and Research

Hormonal birth control influences emotion and memory in women

Hormonal birth control is a fact of life for millions of women. In the U.S. alone, more than 60 million women of reproductive age have used contraceptives according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most often to prevent pregnancy but also to manage conditions such as endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome and irregular cycles.

29 Aug 2025

Inherited DNA changes can cause hormone imbalance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Increased testosterone levels are a consistent hormonal abnormality in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This study identified specific DNA variants in the gene DENND1A, which increase testosterone production in PCOS.

29 Aug 2025

First comprehensive road map shows how the ovarian reserve forms in primates

UCLA scientists have developed the first comprehensive road map showing how the ovarian reserve forms in primates, providing crucial insights into women's health that could revolutionize treatments for infertility and hormonal disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS.

26 Aug 2025

Researchers call for comprehensive menstrual education in British schools

Teaching about periods in schools is still too focused on basic biological facts with insufficient information around how menstruation can affect a woman's mood and wellbeing, problems associated with menstrual bleeding and the impact on physical and academic performance, concludes a new study by UCL (University College London) researchers.

20 Aug 2025

Why young Americans dread turning 26: Health insurance chaos

Amid the challenges of adulthood, one rite of passage is unique to the United States: the need to find your own health insurance by the time you turn 26.

11 Aug 2025

Updated multidisciplinary European guidelines redefine MASLD diagnosis and treatment

The 2024 European clinical practice guidelines introduce a pivotal terminology shift, replacing NAFLD (non-alcoholic fatty liver disease) with MASLD (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease) and NASH with MASH (metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis).

7 Aug 2025

Long sitting hours raise breast cancer odds for inactive obese women

Prolonged daily sitting is linked to a higher prevalence of breast cancer in obese women, but only among those who are physically inactive. Regular physical activity eliminates this association, highlighting the importance of movement for breast cancer prevention in high-risk groups.

15 Jul 2025

PCOS patients often feel dismissed, misunderstood and underserved by the healthcare system

A new study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus reveals that individuals living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) often feel dismissed, misunderstood and underserved by the healthcare system.

7 Jul 2025

Vaping versus smoking’s impact on male fertility

A new study found that male E-cigarette users undergoing IVF had higher sperm motility and lower miscarriage rates compared to conventional smokers. However, E-cigarettes were not shown to be safe and further research is needed before recommending them for fertility.

6 Jul 2025

Probiotics improve ovarian damage in premature menopausal mice

Findings suggest probiotics could mitigate ovarian decline and improve microbiota in POI mice, paving the way for new treatments in women's health.

4 Jul 2025

Are you at risk? Waist size, not weight, could affect fertility in women

Researchers found that higher relative fat mass (RFM), a measure of visceral body fat, is significantly associated with increased infertility risk in U.S. women aged 20–44. The study suggests RFM may be a more sensitive screening tool for infertility risk than traditional BMI, especially in women with normal weight but high visceral fat.

3 Jul 2025

Embryos from women with PCOS carry distinctive epigenetic memory

Novel research presented today at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) has found that embryos from women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) carry a distinctive 'epigenetic memory' that could explain why the condition often runs in families.

1 Jul 2025

Gut microbiota and metabolic changes linked to pregnancy risks in women with PCOS

A new study presented today at the 41st Annual Meeting of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) reveals that women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) have distinct gut microbiota and metabolic signatures linked to premature endometrial aging and a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

30 Jun 2025

Monash-led research highlights urgent need to redefine PCOS

Most experts and those experiencing the potentially debilitating features of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), which affects one in eight women, want greater awareness and a name change to improve care and outcomes.

29 May 2025

Global female infertility rates surge, hitting women in their late 30s hardest

Researchers analyzed global data from 1990 to 2021 and found that over 110 million women worldwide were affected by infertility, with a significant rise in age-standardized rates. The study highlights shifting trends, with the greatest burden among women aged 35–39, and projections showing further increases in age-standardized rates by 2050.

22 May 2025

Gut bacteria and genes jointly shape obesity risk, review reveals hidden links

Researchers examined the heritability of body mass index (BMI), highlighting that genetics and the gut microbiome both play major roles in obesity risk. The review emphasizes that maternal microbiome transmission and family environment may help explain “missing heritability” beyond known genetic factors.

20 May 2025