Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a health problem that can affect a woman's menstrual cycle, ability to have children, hormones, heart, blood vessels, and appearance. With PCOS, women typically have:

• high levels of androgens. These are sometimes called male hormones, although females also make them.
• missed or irregular periods.
• many small cysts in their ovaries. Cysts are fluid-filled sacs.

About one in 10 women of childbearing age has PCOS. It can occur in girls as young as 11 years old....