Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), also known as polyendocrine metabolic ovary syndrome (PMOS), is the name of a hormonal disorder. PCOS affects the ovaries, as well as many other parts of the body.

If you have PCOS, you usually have at least two of these problems:

• Not ovulating. Normally, your ovaries make the egg that is released each month as part of a healthy menstrual cycle. This is called ovulation. But with PCOS, the egg may not develop as it should, or it may not be released during ovulation. Your periods may be irregular, or you may not have them at all.
• High levels of androgens. Androgens are hormones that are important for normal male sexual development. Women normally make smaller amounts of androgens. Having higher levels of androgens can cause you to have extra body or facial hair (called hirsutism).
• Growths in one or both ovaries. These growths are often clumps of ovarian follicles that have stopped developing. They may appear as cysts, which are small fluid-filled sacs

Although it's less common, you may not have growths in your ovaries. You may only have symptoms of PCOS, not ovulate, and have high levels of androgens.

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown. Research has shown that different factors may play a role, including:

• Genetics. PCOS tends to run in families.
• Imbalances in androgen levels.
• Insulin resistance. This is a condition in which your body can't use insulin properly. Insulin is a hormone that helps move blood glucose (also called blood sugar) into your cells to give them energy. Insulin resistance can lead to high blood glucose levels.

PCOS often develops as young as age 11 or 12, around the time of your first period. But you can develop it later.

The symptoms can vary from person to person. Some women have few or even no symptoms. They may not realize they have PCOS until they have trouble getting pregnant. Other women may have more severe symptoms.

The symptoms of PCOS may include:

• Irregular or missed menstrual periods.
• Too much hair on the face, chest, stomach, or thighs.
• Obesity, weight gain, or trouble losing weight.
• Severe acne which may be hard to treat.
• Oily skin.
• Patches of thickened dark skin (called acanthosis nigricans).
• Infertility. PCOS is one of the most common causes of infertility. But many women with PCOS can still get pregnant.

PCOS is linked to many other health problems, including:

• Insulin resistance, which can lead to prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
• Heart disease. Having PCOS increases your risk, and this risk goes up as you age.
• High blood pressure.
• High LDL ("bad") cholesterol and low HDL ("good") cholesterol. This increases your risk of heart disease.
• Endometrial hyperplasia, a condition in which the lining of your uterus, or womb, becomes too thick. This can increase your risk for endometrial cancer, also called uterine cancer.
• Sleep apnea, a disorder that causes you to repeatedly stop breathing during sleep.
• Depression and anxiety.

Although there are links between PCOS and these conditions, researchers do not know whether:

• PCOS causes some of these problems
• Some of these problems cause PCOS, OR
• There are other conditions that cause both PCOS and these other health problems

Not everyone who has PCOS will have all these problems. However, you and your health care provider may want to monitor your health for signs of them, so they can be treated early.

There is no specific test for PCOS. To find out if you have PCOS, your provider:

• Will do a physical exam, which will include looking for the physical signs of PCOS.
• Will ask about your medical history and family health history.
• May do a pelvic exam to check for signs of extra male hormones and to see if your ovaries are enlarged or swollen.
• May order a pelvic ultrasound to look for growths on your ovaries and check the thickness of your endometrium (the lining of your uterus, or womb).
• May order blood tests, including tests to check your hormone levels.

Treatments for PCOS can help you manage your symptoms. The treatments may include:

• Lifestyle changes, which can help reduce many symptoms. They can also lower your risk for or help manage related health problems. These changes include:
  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Getting regular physical activity
  • Eating healthy foods
• Medicines:
  • Hormonal birth control, such as pills, shots, and IUDs, can make your period more regular. They may also help remove acne and extra facial and body hair. But it's only an option if you're not currently trying to get pregnant.
  • Anti-androgen medicines, which block the effect of androgens. This can help reduce hair loss on your head, the growth of facial and body hair, and acne. Providers do use them to help with these symptoms, but anti-androgen medicines are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat PCOS. These medicines can cause problems during pregnancy. Your provider may have you take them with birth control (to prevent pregnancy).
  • Insulin-sensitizing medicines, which are medicines that are used to treat type 2 diabetes. They improve insulin resistance and keep your blood glucose levels steady. They may also lower your androgen levels. They are not approved by the FDA to treat PCOS. But they may help with your symptoms.
  • Medicines for acne. These medicines come in pills, creams, or gels.
• Treatments for hair removal, such as facial hair removal creams, laser hair removal, and electrolysis.
• Fertility treatments if you are having trouble getting pregnant. They include medicines and procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Retinal disorders are conditions that affect the retina, the thin light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. The retina senses light and sends signals to your brain so you can see.

Retinal disorders can cause blurred or distorted vision. Some can lead to vision loss or blindness.

The causes of retinal disorders vary. Aging is a common factor, but other things can raise your risk, such as if you:

• Smoke
• Have obesity
• Have health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure
• Have had an eye injury or trauma
• Have a family history of retinal disorders

Some common retinal disorders include:

• Macular degeneration. Occurs when the macula (the center of the retina that helps you see fine details) breaks down. There are two types: wet and dry macular degeneration.
• Diabetic retinopathy. Occurs when diabetes damages small blood vessels in the retina, causing them to swell or leak.
• Retinal detachment. Occurs when the retina pulls away from the back of the eye. This is a medical emergency.
• Retinal tears. A hole or break in the retina caused when the gel-like substance inside your eye (the vitreous) pulls away.
• Retinoblastoma. A rare cancer of the retina that most often affects young children.
• Macular pucker. Scar tissue that forms on the macula and distorts vision.
• Macular hole. A small opening in the macula, often related to aging or injury. It can blur or distort central vision.
• Eye floaters. Small specks, cobwebs, or threads that drift across your vision. These are more common with aging.
• Retina pigmentosa. A group of inherited disorders (passed down through families) that slowly damage the retina and cause loss of night and side (peripheral) vision.

Symptoms can vary, but most retinal disorders affect your vision. Common symptoms include:

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Loss of central or side (peripheral) vision
• Flashes of light
• Seeing floating specks or cobwebs
• Trouble seeing at night
• Sudden vision loss (in severe cases)

Seek medical care right away if you notice flashes of light, sudden vision changes, or a sudden increase in eye floaters. These can be signs of a serious retinal problem.

Eye care providers check for retinal disorders with a dilated eye exam. Eye drops are used to widen your pupils so your provider can look at the retina for signs of damage.

They may also do other tests, such as:

• Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to take detailed pictures of the inside of your eye.
• Fluorescein angiography to check the blood vessels in your retina.
• Visual field tests to measure your side (peripheral) vision.

Some retinal disorders can be treated to slow or stop vision loss, and sometimes to restore vision. Treatment depends on the cause and severity. It may include:

• Laser therapy
• Medicine or eye injections
• Surgery
• Lifestyle management to control health conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure

Not all retinal disorders can be prevented. Some are related to aging or genetics. But you can protect your eyes by:

• Wearing safety goggles or sunglasses
• Getting regular eye exams
• Making healthy lifestyle changes, such as:
  • Quitting smoking (or not starting)
  • Managing diabetes and blood pressure

NIH: National Eye Institute

Many men have sexual problems. They become more common as men age. Problems can include:

• Erectile dysfunction
• Reduced or lost interest in sex
• Problems with ejaculation
• Low testosterone

Stress, illness, medicines, or emotional problems may also be factors. Occasional problems with sexual function are common. If problems last more than a few months or cause distress for you or your partner, you should see your health care provider.

There are many problems that can keep a woman from enjoying sex. They include:

• Lack of sexual desire
• Inability to become aroused
• Lack of orgasm, or sexual climax
• Painful intercourse

These problems may have physical or psychological causes. Physical causes may include conditions like diabetes, heart disease, nerve disorders, or hormone problems. Some drugs can also affect desire and function. Psychological causes may include work-related stress and anxiety. They may also include depression or concerns about marriage or relationship problems. For some women, the problem results from past sexual trauma.

Occasional problems with sexual function are common. If problems last more than a few months or cause distress for you or your partner, you should see your health care provider.

Your skin is your body's largest organ. It covers the entire outside of your body. There are many ways that your skin protects your body and helps keep you healthy. For example, it:

• Holds body fluids in, which helps prevent you from getting dehydrated
• Keeps out harmful germs, which helps prevent infections
• Helps you feel things like heat, cold, and pain
• Helps control your body temperature
• Makes vitamin D when the sun shines on it
• Shields your body against heat and light

There are many different problems and conditions which can affect your skin. Some of them can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as itching, burning, redness, and rashes. They might also affect your appearance. Some of the more common skin conditions include:

• Acne, which causes pimples when hair follicles under your skin get clogged up
• Burns
• Cuts and scrapes
• Dandruff, flaking of the skin on your scalp (the top of your head)
• Eczema (atopic dermatitis), which causes inflammation, redness, and irritation of the skin
• Hives, which are red and sometimes itchy bumps on your skin
• Insect bites
• Psoriasis, which causes itchy, scaly red patches
• Skin cancer
• Skin infections

Since your skin protects your body in many ways, it's important to try to keep your skin healthy. For example, you can:

• Wear the right protective equipment, like gloves, long sleeves, knee and elbow pads, or helmets to protect against cuts, bumps and scrapes.
• If you do get a cut or scrape, clean it right away with soap and warm water. Put on a bandage to protect it while it heals.
• When you are spending time outdoors, wear long sleeves and pants and use insect repellant to prevent insect bites.
• Prevent sunburn by covering up and using sunscreen when outdoors.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• When you take a shower or bath, use warm (not hot) water. Use mild cleansers and wash gently (don't scrub).
• Use moisturizers, like lotions, creams, or ointments, to prevent dry skin.

NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases