PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and fertility

How many people are affected

According to the World Health Organization, polycystic ovary syndrome affects around 8 to 13% of women of reproductive age, and a large share of cases go undiagnosed. It is the most frequent cause of infertility linked to anovulation, meaning the absence of ovulation.

Typical symptoms

The picture varies from one person to another. The most commonly found features are:

• irregular, very long or absent cycles,
• signs of hyperandrogenism: persistent acne, excess body hair, hair loss,
• insulin resistance, sometimes with weight gain that is hard to control,
• a polycystic appearance of the ovaries on ultrasound, which is neither required nor sufficient for diagnosis.

Why PCOS makes conception harder

The hormonal imbalance disturbs follicle maturation: ovulation becomes irregular or does not occur. Without ovulation there is no available egg, which explains the sometimes considerable lengthening of the time to conception.

Insulin resistance plays an aggravating role by sustaining that hormonal imbalance.

It is not a dead end

Many women with PCOS conceive, either spontaneously or with medical help. Care rests on medical follow-up, ovulation induction where indicated, and lifestyle adjustments — regular physical activity, balanced eating, weight management where there is excess weight — which often improve how regularly ovulation occurs.

These adjustments complement medical care; they never replace it.

Diagnosis belongs to a doctor

Diagnosis rests on a combination of clinical, laboratory and ultrasound criteria assessed by a professional. Nothing on this page allows you to self-diagnose PCOS, and many different causes can explain irregular cycles or acne.