I have polycystic ovary syndrome. How common is this condition?

• Introduction
• Abortion
• Amenorrhoea
• Birth Control
• Bladder Symptoms
• Cancer in Women
• Childbirth
• Children and Teenagers
• Diet / Weight Loss
• Dysmenorrhoea
• Endometriosis
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• Infections
• Infertility
• Medication Drugs
• Menopause
• Menorrhagia
• Miscarriage
• Painful Sex
• Pap Smear Test
• PCOS
• Polycystic Ovaries
• Definition PCOS
• Causation
• Duration
• Prevalence
• Seriousness
• Hormone Changes
• Weight Changes
• Amenorrhea
• Amenorrhea Treatment
• Hirsutism
• Pelvic Pain
• Treatment
• PCOS Fertility Treatment
• Metformin
• Metformin & The Baby
• Surgical Treatment
• Contraception
• Support Groups
• Pelvic Pain
• PMS
• Postpartum
• Pregnancy
• Self Esteem
• Sexual Problems
• Vaginal Discharge
• Vaginal Prolapse
• Vulval Symptoms

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Polycystic ovary syndrome is one of the most common endocrine (hormone) disorders. Ultrasound examination provides an excellent window to look at ovarian structure. The ovaries are close to the top of the vagina and therefore transvaginal scanning shows of ovarian structure more clearly than transabdominal scanning. In adult women, transvaginal scanning reveals an incidence of PCO in the order of 20%. About one in three with ultrasound evidence of PCO will have problems resulting in an incidence of 6-10%. Before sexual activity has commenced ultrasound is performed by the transabdominal route. Evidence of PCO can be found in 6% of six year old girls and, by the age of ten, 18% of girls have evidence of PCO.

There is evidence that PCOS is more prevalent amongst those that are obese and in those with Type 1 diabetes or who have had gestational diabetes.

Related Medical Abstracts - Click on the paper title:-

• The prevalence of polycystic ovaries in Chinese women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus. (2006-01)
• Prevalence and characteristics of the polycystic ovary syndrome in overweight and obese women. (2006-02)
• Prevalence of polycystic ovaries in women with self-reported symptoms of oligomenorrhoea and/or hirsutism: Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study. (2004-01)
• Definitions, prevalence and symptoms of polycystic ovaries and polycystic ovary syndrome. (2004-02)
• Prevalence of polycystic ovary syndrome among premenopausal women with type 2 diabetes. (2001-01)
• High prevalence of the polycystic ovary syndrome and hirsutism in women with type 1 diabetes mellitus. (2000-01)
• A prospctive study of the prevalence of the polycystic ovary syndrome in unselected Caucasian women from Spain. (2000-02)
• How prevalent are polycystic ovaries in normal women and what is their significance for the fertility of the population? (1992)
• Polycystic ovaries A common finding in normal women. (1988) 

See Also:

PCOS - Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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This is the personal website of David A Viniker MD FRCOG, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Whipps Cross University Hospital, London - Specialist Interests - Reproductive Medicine including Infertility, PCOS, PMS, Menopause and HRT.

I do hope that you find the answers to your women's health questions in the patient information and medical advice provided.