Polycystic ovaries Syndrome ( PCOS ) affects around one in ten women in the UK - but the hormonal disorder is notoriously undiagnosed and remains hidden for many sufferers. The condition usually causes irregular periods, weight gain, acne, excess androgen levels (male hormones) and polycystic ovaries where the ovaries become enlarged and contain fluid-filled sacs. These fluid-filled sacs are underdeveloped in the follicles of the ovaries, which means they are often unable to release an egg - resulting in a missed period.
While it's unclear what the exact cause is, it can often run in families - and is related to abnormal hormone levels in the body, including high levels of insulin. 6 things you need to do right now to not catch highly-contagious Norovirus bug With dire diagnosis rates and limited resources for women with PCOS to turn to, many look to alternative ways to reverse their symptoms. There are millions of TikTok videos from PCOS sufferers looking for community support and answers - and many doctors sharing advice on the platform about the disorder.
Now PCOS sufferers are left wondering whether weight loss drugs like Ozempic could help relieve their symptoms, particularly after researchers discovered that the medication could reduce a person's risk of heart attacks and strokes. As Ozempic takes the Hollywood circuit by storm, we ask medical experts whether the drug could offer hope to PCOS patients struggling with their symptoms. What is Ozempic and can it help with .