Polycystic ovary syndrome natural history, complications and prognosis

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Complications

Women with PCOS are at risk for the following complications:

• Endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterine lining) are possible, due to overaccumulation of uterine lining, and also lack of progesterone resulting in prolonged stimulation of uterine cells by estrogen
• Insulin resistance/Type II diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Dyslipidemia (disorders of lipid metabolism — cholesterol and triglycerides)
• Cardiovascular disease
• Strokes
• Weight gain
• Miscarriage
• Excessive amounts of androgens
• Lack of regular ovulation
• Infertility (early treatment of polycystic ovary disease can help prevent infertility or increase the chance of having a healthy pregnancy)
• Possible increased risk of breast cancer

Prognosis

Getting your symptoms under control at an earlier age can help to reduce your chances of having complications like diabetes and heart diseases. Talk to your doctor about treating all your symptoms, rather than focusing on just one aspect of your PCOS, such as problems getting pregnant. Also, talk to our doctor about getting tested for diabetes regularly. Eating right, exercising, and not smoking also will help to reduce your chances of having other health problems.