Affecting an estimated 8% to 13% of women of childbearing age worldwide, PCOS, or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, is one of the most common causes of infertility among women. The condition is caused by a hormonal imbalance characterized by the production of too many androgens, or male hormones. Although this hormonal imbalance does not directly lead to infertility, it makes it more difficult for women to conceive and increases the risk of complications during pregnancy.
Symptoms of PCOS are tricky to diagnose as they vary from person to person, which is why about 70% of women affected by it remain undiagnosed. While a missed or irregular period is one of the evident symptoms, it isn’t the only indicator that a woman may have the condition. Additionally, there is no single test to diagnose PCOS, and in some women, it is only identified when they are trying to conceive.
