Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects about one in 10 women and is linked to health risks including cardiovascular disease. But it’s still under-recognized, under-diagnosed and under-treated.

Authors:

  • Jamie Benham | Endocrinologist & Assistant Professor, Departments of Medicine and Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
  • Pauline McDonagh Hull | PhD Candidate, Department of Community Health Sciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary
  • Robyn Vettese | Research Assistant (Community Scholar), Department of Medicine, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that affects ovaries, periods and fertility in about one in 10 Canadian women. Different from ovarian cysts, PCOS is associated with infertility, pregnancy complications, heart disease and a general decreased quality of life, and yet fewer than half of those affected even know they have it.

This under-recognition and under-diagnosis is a significant problem, because a recent Canadian study suggests these women are 20 to 40 per cent more likely to experience negative health outcomes during their lifetime than the general population, including hypertension (high blood pressure), kidney disease, gastrointestinal disease, eating disorders, depression and anxiety.