ABSTRACTPolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrine disorder in women. Its clinical manifestation varies from mild to severedisturbance of reproductive and metabolic functions. PCOS is clinical and public health importance because it is affecting up to one in five womenof reproductive age. It is an X-linked dominant condition and has diverse clinical implications such as psychological features (anxiety, depression),reproductive features (hirsutism and hyperandrogenism), and impaired glucose tolerance. It is widely dependent on environmental, genetic, ethnicityfactors including lifestyle and body weight. Weight loss improves the endocrine profile and increases chances of ovulation and pregnancy. It canbe treated with medications such as clomiphene citrate, tamoxifen, aromatase inhibitors, and gonadotrophins. The last option for fertilization isin vitro fertilization when other treatment fails. Its prevalence is estimated at 4-8% from studies performed in Spain and USA. Lifestyle including diet,exercise, and behavior therapy improves fertility. PCOS has unique interactions with the ever increasing obesity prevalence worldwide as obesityinducedinsulin resistancesignificantlyaggravatesall thefeaturesof PCOS.EducationabouthowPCOSaffectslong-termhealth shouldbe providedtowomenwith this disordertofeelphysicaland psychologicalbenefits so that theycould engagethemselvesmorewith their health careproviders.Keywords: Polycystic ovarian syndrome, Hyperinsulinemia, Hormone disbalance, Hirsutism, Ovarian cyst, Obesity, Sleep disorders
