Back to last page  My 27-year-old daughter was diagnosed with
polycystic ovary syndrome. Her doctor prescribed metformin,
which is a diabetic medication. Can this hurt her since she does
not have diabetes? Also, what can you tell me about this
syndrome?   Let’s talk about polycystic ovary syndrome first.
Normally the ovaries produce estrogen, progesterone, and only a
small amount of testosterone. But between 4% and 7% of women
produce too much testosterone. These women have a pattern of
symptoms called polycystic ovary syndrome.  With too much
testosterone, the eggs are not always released from their
follicles in the ovaries. The ovaries appear to contain cysts
because the fluid-filled follicles don't always open and empty.
Women with polycystic ovary syndrome may have problems with
fertility because egg release (ovulation) does not always occur.
With the abnormal hormone balance, periods can be irregular and
the uterus has a higher risk for forming a cancer. Polycystic
ovary syndrome can also cause cosmeti