PCOS is a common hormonal condition in which the ovaries can develop many small follicles and the body produces excess androgens, affecting periods, fertility, and metabolism.
Irregular or absent periods, acne, excess body hair, difficulty getting pregnant, weight gain that is hard to shift, and sometimes hair thinning on the scalp.
Imaging supports — but does not by itself confirm — the diagnosis. PCOS is diagnosed clinically with blood tests, with imaging used to look at the ovaries and exclude other causes.
Pelvic ultrasound (transabdominal or transvaginal) can show the appearance of multiple small follicles around the periphery of the ovaries.
Treatment combines lifestyle adjustment, medications to regulate periods or improve insulin sensitivity, and fertility care when needed.
This entry explains the condition. The next step is having a radiologist interpret your specific scan, not a general definition.
