Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is essentially a condition that affects women's hormone levels in the body-specifically the imbalance of hormones. In regular functioning ovaries, an egg is made and released monthly which results in a period. In PCOS however, the egg is not properly made or not released at all. Only people who have ovaries can develop PCOS. Women of all races and ethnicities can be at risk. PCOS is however mostly genetic and can be passed down from mother or father. 5-10% of women that are between the ages of reproduction (15-44 years of age) develop PCOS. 5 million women have PCOS in the US, and it is estimated that up to 26% of individuals have PCOS worldwide. There are more than 200,000 cases per year. There is no current all inclusive treatment because PCOS is determined to be a case-by-case syndrome.

Women with PCOS have higher levels of androgens than normal, which causes brain signal interference. This interference causes the hormone levels of luteinizing hormone, the hormone that stimulates the ovaries to release the eggs during menstruation, to drop lower than normal. The lack of ovulation causes the fluid filled follicles to grow and form cysts on the ovaries. The abundance of androgens leads to extra hair growth and acne in individuals with PCOS. Another hormone imbalance caused by PCOS is high levels of insulin. The copious amounts of insulin can lead to diabetes in many people. People with PCOS are also more likely to have high blood pressure, high levels of LDL cholesterol, sleep apnea, depression and anxiety, and endometrial cancer.