(1) irregular menstrual cycles
(2) inability to get pregnant due to lack of ovulation
(3) increased hair growth in a male distribution pattern (e.g. face and chest)
(4) acne

More than half of women experiencing PCOS can also have problems with obesity.

PCOS should only be diagnosed after ruling out other potential causes for their symptoms and signs.

Treatment
Since women with PCOS do not ovulate consistently in a monthly manner or not at all, there is limited opportunity for the sperm to meet with the egg and for pregnancy to occur. Therefore, the goal of treatment is to cause ovulation to occur predictably. This is achieved through the use of ovulation induction medications such as clomiphene citrate or injectable FSH. It is most common to use clomiphene citrate which is an oral medication that can lead to pregnancy rates of 60-70% over 6 cycles of attempts. Clomiphene citrate may be combined with another oral medication called metformin if the patient has evidence of insulin resistance, prediabetes or diabetes.