Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Symptoms, Complaints, Signs

The following symptoms and complaints may indicate polycystic ovary syndrome (PCO syndrome):

Leading symptoms

  • Oligomenorrhea (menstrual period disorder: cycle length > 35 days and ≤ 90 days) to amenorrhea to amenorrhea (secondary; absence of menstruation > 90 days.
  • Androgenization (v. a. Hirsutism/abnormal increase of male hair: chin, upper lip, chest, pubic region, thighs; androgenetic alopecia/hair loss; more rarely virilization: e.g. deepening of the voice, clitoral hyperthrophy (enlargement of the clitoris).
  • Polycystic ovaries [when at least one ovary (ovary) has a volume of at least 10 ml on ultrasound and/or 12 follicles (egg sacs) of two to nine milliliters each are present].
  • Seborrhea (oily skin)
  • Acne (eg acne vulgaris)
  • Alopecia (hair loss)
  • Obesity (overweight/obesity) (Note: One-third of PCO patients are slim!]
  • Sterility