Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal conditions, affecting roughly 1 in 10 women of reproductive age worldwide.

Despite its name, PCOS isn't really about cysts. The "cysts" seen on ultrasounds are actually immature follicles — eggs that started developing but didn't release. Not everyone with PCOS even has them.

Diagnosis typically uses the Rotterdam criteria — you need at least 2 of these 3:

• Irregular or absent periods • Signs of excess androgens (acne, hirsutism, hair thinning) or elevated androgens on blood work • Polycystic-appearing ovaries on ultrasound

PCOS isn't one condition — it's a spectrum. Some people have all three criteria, others have two. The symptoms, severity, and what helps varies enormously from person to person.

There are at least 3 recognised phenotypes: classic PCOS (all three criteria), non-hyperandrogenic PCOS (irregular cycles + polycystic ovaries but normal androgens), and ovulatory PCOS (excess androgens + polycystic ovaries but regular cycles).