Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a health condition which affects approximately one out of ten menstruating women and girls.
In the USA an estimated five million women are affected with PCOS, making this one of the major causes of female infertility.
PCOS sufferers typically produce a significantly higher level of male hormones (androgens) than other women.
This affects sufferers in the following ways:

• Appearance (more hirsute or hairy)
• Menstrual cycles (irregular or non-existent)
• Ability to have children (lowered fertility)
• Higher risk of stroke and heart disease (high blood pressure and cholesterol levels)
• Diabetes (the inability to efficiently process insulin leads in turn to the production of more male hormones)
• Obesity.
  

Bear in mind that some of these symptoms may not be common to all women with PCOS and individual women may differ substantially in presentation.
Causes and cures: No known or definable cause for this condition currently exists, but medical researchers speculate that there may be a genetic link indicated.
Often a close female family member also suffers from PCOS.
Neither is there a definitive cure for PCOS and infertility, but medication, lifestyle changes and a combination of therapies can often help to alleviate symptoms and manage the condition.
PCOS and infertility: Research tells us that a PCOS sufferer fails to produce the hormones required to produce a mature egg in her ovaries.
Instead the follicles which hold the eggs may grow, fill with fluid and develop into cysts, hence the name; Poly (many) Cystic (cysts) Ovary Syndrome.
Ovulation therefore never occurs which means that an ovum or egg can never be fertilized.
Other possible causes of infertility should always be ruled out before treatment for PCOS is started and a thorough medical checkup is an essential first step.
Any medical examination must include:

• A pelvic and ultrasound examination to check for cysts
• A blood test to determine sugar and hormone levels
• A weight and waist measurement determination
• A visual check on hair growth ( chest, face, back, midriff) so hair should be allowed to grow naturally prior to the examination and not be cosmetically removed

Infertility treatment: IVF (in vitro fertilization) offers good results and can minimize the risks of multiples, but the procedure comes at a high cost.
Fertility medication can aid PCOS and infertility sufferers by stimulating ovulation and thus increasing chances of falling pregnant.
Fertility treatment does however, increase the risk of producing multiple births.
Lifestyle goals: Target known symptoms of PCOS and infertility from an early age or immediately after detection/diagnosis by maintaining a sensible healthy lifestyle that addresses maintenance of correct body weight and taking regular exercise and not smoking.
Remember that having a supportive partner, family and friends all play a part in dealing with PCOS and infertility and alleviating the stress it may cause.