PCOS often runs in families. Up to 70 percent of daughters of women with PCOS also develop it, but genetic variation doesn't fully explain the high incidence within families—some genome-wide association studies of PCOS susceptibility reckon genetics explains less than 10 percent of the condition's heritability.
Daughters were nearly eight times as likely to have PCOS if their mothers had it, and they had a slightly higher risk if their mothers smoked during pregnancy. Mothers were 1.6 times as likely to have high blood pressure in later life if their daughters developed PCOS.
And while PCOS doesn't have a clear hereditary pattern, per the Genetics Home Reference, there does seem to be some sort of family association—an estimated 20%–40% of those with PCOS have an affected family member, usually a mother or sister.
The exact cause is not known, but there appears to be a genetic component as it tends to run in families. Teens with PCOS are also found to have increased levels of male hormones and resistance to insulin. Although there is no cure for PCOS, effective treatment can control and eliminate many symptoms.
It's also important to keep in mind that just because a woman has PCOS doesn't mean that she also has infertility. As one study points out, 70 to 80 percent of these women are infertile. (5) That leaves up to 30 percent of women who may become pregnant on their own without the use of fertility treatments.
In some cases, PCOS is genetic. If your mother or sister has PCOS, then you have a greater chance (roughly 30 to 40 percent) of developing it.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are at higher risk for certain problems or complications during pregnancy. In addition, infants born to mothers with PCOS are at higher risk of spending time in the neonatal intensive care unit or dying before, during, or right after birth.
Experts estimate that 5 to 10 percent of women ages 18 to 44 have PCOS. The syndrome is usually detected in women between ages 20 and 30, but the earliest signs can be evident in younger girls including those who have not yet started menstruation.
Symptoms may include excess body hair (hirsutism), severe acne, and menstrual cycle problems. The excess body hair can be on the face, chin, neck, back, chest, breasts, or abdomen. The menstrual cycle problems include months without any periods, heavy or long-lasting periods, or periods that happen too often.
Best age to get pregnant with PCOS
The best time for women with PCOS to get pregnant is before they turn 30. It's possible to conceive up to the age of 37, but fertility declines after the age of 32 with steeper decline occurring after age 37.
PCOS belly refers to the abdominal fat causing an increased waist-to-hip ratio, PCOS Belly will look like an apple-shaped belly rather than a pear-shaped belly. One of the most common symptoms of PCOS is weight gain, particularly around the abdominal area.
Results: No significant difference in sex ratio was detected between PCOS and controls, even if it resulted significantly different in the full-blown and non-PCO phenotypes.
The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. There's evidence that genetics play a role. Several other factors, most importantly obesity, also play a role in causing PCOS: Higher levels of male hormones called androgens: High androgen levels prevent your ovaries from releasing eggs, which causes irregular menstrual cycles.
Research also suggests that the body might make too much insulin , signaling the ovaries to release extra male hormones. PCOS seems to run in families too, so if someone in your family has it, you might be more likely to develop it.
PCOS is one of the most common contributing factors responsible for infertility. However, natural conception is possible. Making changes to your diet and lifestyle are some of the simplest ways to boost your odds. Women with PCOS who have a healthy weight are more likely to get pregnant than those who aren't.
Symptoms include: Body hair growing on the chest, belly, face, and around the nipples. Decreased breast size.
PCOS sometimes runs in families. If any relatives, such as your mother, sister or aunt, have PCOS, the risk of you developing it is often increased. This suggests there may be a genetic link to PCOS, although specific genes associated with the condition have not yet been identified.
Women with PCOS are more likely to experience heart and psychiatric complications during the postpartum period. 7 These include postpartum preeclampsia, congestive heart failure (a poorly pumping heart that causes fluid buildup in the lungs), and postpartum depression.
Polycystic ovaries (PCO) are described on ultrasound scan as the "presence of 12 or more follicles in each ovary measuring 2-9 mm in diameter, and/or increased ovarian volume (>10 ml)"1 .
There's no single test for it, but a physical exam, ultrasound, and blood tests can help diagnose PCOS. You need to meet 2 of these 3 "official" criteria to be diagnosed: Irregular, heavy, or missed periods due to missed ovulation—the release of an egg from your ovaries. This also keeps you from becoming pregnant.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Miscarriage
In women with PCOS, however, the risk is about three times the normal risk. Many specialists believe that the rate of early pregnancy loss in PCOS women is due to other related factors, including a higher incidence of insulin resistance, hyperandrogenemia, and obesity.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can cause recurrent miscarriages because of high levels of testosterone. PCOS-related insulin resistance can also affect the lining of your uterus. Bacterial infections can live in your or your partner's genital tracts.
The good news is, women with PCOS produce a high number of healthy eggs. But, as with all women, with age comes a decrease in egg quality and quantity.