polycystic ovary syndrome

noun

: a variable disease that is marked by amenorrhea, hirsutism, obesity, infertility, and ovarian enlargement and is usually initiated by an elevated level of luteinizing hormone, androgen, or estrogen which results in an abnormal cycle of gonadotropin release by the pituitary gland

called also polycystic ovarian syndrome

Examples of polycystic ovary syndrome in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These things are key to the disease, which used to be called polycystic ovary syndrome but was renamed earlier this year to shift the focus away from ovaries and cysts. — Laura Ungar, Los Angeles Times, 17 Aug. 2026

In women, high testosterone levels can lead to the condition PMOS, or polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome, previously referred to as PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome. — Nina Shapiro, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026

Conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome generate excess androgens that can cause male-pattern thinning. — Ascend Agency, New York Daily News, 16 June 2026

After 14 years of work, polycystic ovary syndrome has been officially renamed Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome, or PMOS, in a global consensus process that researchers describe as the largest medical name change in history. — Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 19 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for polycystic ovary syndrome

• acrosome
• aerodrome
• catacomb
• centrosome
• chromosome
• cytochrome
• hippodrome
• honeycomb
• liposome
• meerschaum
• metronome
• microtome

Medical Definition

polycystic ovary syndrome

noun

: a variable disorder that is marked especially by amenorrhea, hirsutism, obesity, infertility, and ovarian enlargement and is usually initiated by an elevated level of luteinizing hormone, androgen, or estrogen which results in an abnormal cycle of gonadotropin release by the pituitary gland

—abbreviation PCOS

called also polycystic ovarian disease, polycystic ovarian syndrome, polycystic ovary disease, Stein-Leventhal syndrome