Polycystic ovary syndrome is a problem in which a woman's hormones are out of balance. It can cause problems with your periods and make it difficult to get pregnant. PCOS also may cause unwanted changes in the way you look. If it isn't treated, over time it can lead to serious health problems, such as diabetes and heart disease. Most women with PCOS grow many small cysts on their ovaries. That is why it is called polycystic ovary syndrome. The cysts are not harmful but lead to hormone imbalances.

Key points for TCM diagnosis
(1) Irregular menorrhea appears first as scanty menorrhea and then turns into secondary amenorrhea, sterility, obesity and pilosity.

(2) Basal body temperature is unidirectional. Diagnostic curettage shows endometrial hyperplasia or excessive hyperplasia of endometrium and no secretory endometrium occurs; ultrasonic and abdominoscope examination indicates polycystic enlargement of ovary on both sides and intensified echo of thickened capsules. There are numerous cystic follicles 2 - 7mm in diameter under capsules.

(3) FSH value is low, serum LH/FSH is ≥3, E1 and E2≥l higher than the normal cycle, and PRL is elevated.

(4) Clinically it should be differentiated from hyperthecosis, granular-thecoma, hemopathy due to excessive prolactin, adrenal-ovary tumor and Cushing's syndrome.