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Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition associated with increased levels of two hormones in the body – insulin and androgens (male-type hormones) – that cause symptoms such as irregular periods, excessive facial and body hair, pimples and weight gain.

The condition affects 1 in 10 women and is more common in some high-risk groups, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.

Learn more about PCOS symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatments. Plus, practical ways to improve your physical health and emotional wellbeing.

Symptoms and causes of PCOS

Learn about the symp­toms and caus­es of poly­cys­tic ovary syn­drome (PCOS).
Two women talking in a park

Diagnosing and treating PCOS

If you think you have poly­cys­tic ovary syn­drome (PCOS), it’s impor­tant you see your doc­tor. They can help coor­di­nate your care and refer you to spe­cial­ists where need­ed. An ear­ly diag­no­sis and sup­port from a team of spe­cial­ists can help man­age the symp­toms of PCOS and reduce the risk of long-term health prob­lems. Learn more about how PCOS is diag­nosed and how to treat and man­age com­mon PCOS symptoms.

How does PCOS affect fertility and pregnancy?

Many women with poly­cys­tic ovary syn­drome (PCOS) have chil­dren nat­u­ral­ly, but some need med­ical help to get preg­nant. Learn how to improve your chances of becom­ing preg­nant with PCOS and ways to reduce poten­tial risks dur­ing pregnancy.
A women's hands on her pregnant belly

Living with PCOS

Poly­cys­tic ovary syn­drome (PCOS) can affect your phys­i­cal health and emo­tion­al well­be­ing. It may also impact your rela­tion­ships and sex­u­al desire. Learn prac­ti­cal ways to improve your phys­i­cal health and emo­tion­al wellbeing.
Young women on hike laughing hugging

Healthy recipes for PCOS

A healthy diet may help you man­age PCOS symp­toms. Get inspired with these healthy recipes.

PCOS information in community languages

Our infor­ma­tion about poly­cys­tic ovary syn­drome (PCOS) has been trans­lat­ed into lan­guages used by com­mu­ni­ties across Aus­tralia includ­ing Ara­bic, Chi­nese, Hin­di, Pun­jabi, Viet­namese and oth­ers. We also have a range of down­load­able resources in English.
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This con­tent has been reviewed by a group of med­ical sub­ject mat­ter experts, in accor­dance with Jean Hailes pol­i­cy.

© Jean Hailes Foun­da­tion. All rights reserved.