Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a condition impacting ~10% of Canadian women of reproductive age. According to the Alberta Women’s Health Foundation, PCOS is a condition in which a woman has increased levels of male hormones. This hormonal imbalance can present with symptoms such as menstrual irregularities, skin problems such as acne and increased hair growth, increased number of cysts in the ovaries, and other hormone-related issues such as obesity. PCOS can also cause infertility, increase the risk of developing diabetes or metabolic syndrome, and cause distressing physical symptoms like alopecia, all of which can greatly impact quality of life.
