PCOS is a hormonal imbalance affecting roughly one in ten women of reproductive age. The ovaries develop many small follicles that don't mature and release an egg on schedule, so ovulation becomes irregular or absent — which is why cycles become unpredictable and conception can take longer.
Common signs
Irregular or missed periods, acne or oily skin, excess facial or body hair, weight gain that's hard to shift (especially around the belly), and thinning scalp hair. Symptoms can appear years before diagnosis, and not everyone has all of them — PCOS looks different in different women.
PCOS and fertility
PCOS does not mean pregnancy is out of reach. Because the main issue is irregular ovulation, treatment focuses on restoring it: lifestyle and nutrition changes, medicines that induce ovulation, and IVF where needed. With the right guidance and a personalized plan, most women with PCOS can conceive.