PCOS Glossary
A comprehensive guide to PCOS terminology — from hormones and diagnostic criteria to treatments, supplements, and lifestyle strategies. 104 terms and counting.
A
- Acanthosis Nigricans— Acanthosis nigricans is a skin condition characterized by dark, thick, velvety patches that typically develop in body fo...
- Adrenal Glands— The adrenal glands are two small, triangular-shaped endocrine glands located on top of each kidney that produce essentia...
- Adrenal PCOS— Adrenal PCOS is characterized by elevated levels of the androgen DHEA-S, which is produced by the adrenal glands rather...
- Amenorrhea— Amenorrhea is the complete absence of menstrual periods, classified as primary (never having started menstruation by age...
- Androgenetic Alopecia— Androgenetic alopecia is female-pattern hair loss characterized by diffuse thinning at the crown of the head and widenin...
- Androgens— Androgens are a group of sex hormones that include testosterone, DHEA-S (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), androstenedion...
- Anovulation— Anovulation is the failure to release an egg from the ovary during the menstrual cycle, and PCOS is the most common caus...
- Anti-Inflammatory Diet— An anti-inflammatory diet emphasizes whole, nutrient-dense foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and phytonut...
- Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH)— Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) is a protein produced by granulosa cells in developing ovarian follicles, widely used as a...
- Ashwagandha— Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an adaptogenic herb used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years that helps the...
B
C
- Calorie Deficit— A calorie deficit occurs when you consume fewer calories than your body expends, creating an energy shortfall that promp...
- Chemical Pregnancy— A chemical pregnancy is a very early pregnancy loss that occurs before the fifth week of gestation—too early for an ultr...
- Chromium— Chromium is a trace mineral essential for normal glucose and insulin metabolism, thought to enhance insulin's ability to...
- Cinnamon— Cinnamon is a common kitchen spice that contains bioactive compounds (particularly cinnamaldehyde and polyphenols) shown...
- Clomiphene (Clomid)— Clomiphene, commonly known by its brand name Clomid, is an oral fertility medication that works by blocking estrogen rec...
- CoQ10 (Coenzyme Q10)— CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10) is a naturally occurring antioxidant found in every cell of the body that plays an essential role i...
- Combined Oral Contraceptives— Combined oral contraceptive pills (often simply called 'the pill') contain both synthetic estrogen and progestin and are...
- Cortisol— Cortisol is the body's primary stress hormone, produced by the adrenal glands in response to physical and emotional stre...
- Cycle Syncing— Cycle syncing is a wellness practice of intentionally aligning your nutrition, exercise intensity, social activities, an...
- Cyproterone Acetate— Cyproterone acetate is a progestin with potent anti-androgenic properties that works by both blocking androgen receptors...
- Cyster— Cyster is a term of empowerment and solidarity within the PCOS community, combining the words 'sister' and 'cyst' to des...
D
- D-Chiro-Inositol— D-chiro-inositol is a complementary form of inositol that plays a specialized role in insulin signaling within the ovari...
- DHEA-S (Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate)— DHEA-S is an androgen hormone produced almost exclusively by the adrenal glands that serves as a precursor the body conv...
- DIM (Diindolylmethane)— DIM (diindolylmethane) is a compound naturally found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels...
- Dysmenorrhea— Dysmenorrhea refers to severe menstrual pain and cramping that can be debilitating and significantly impact quality of l...
E
- Ectopic Pregnancy— An ectopic pregnancy occurs when a fertilized egg implants and begins developing outside the uterus, most commonly in th...
- Endocrinologist— An endocrinologist is a medical specialist who diagnoses and treats disorders of the endocrine system—the network of gla...
- Endometrial Hyperplasia— Endometrial hyperplasia is the abnormal thickening of the uterine lining that occurs when estrogen continuously stimulat...
- Estrogen— Estrogen is the primary female sex hormone, produced mainly by the ovaries (with smaller amounts from body fat and the a...
- Estrogen Dominance— Estrogen dominance describes a hormonal imbalance where estrogen's effects are insufficiently counterbalanced by progest...
F
- Fasting Insulin— A fasting insulin test measures the amount of insulin circulating in your blood after an 8-12 hour overnight fast, provi...
- Finasteride— Finasteride is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that blocks the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into dihydro...
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)— Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) is produced by the pituitary gland and is essential for stimulating the growth and ma...
- Follicular Phase— The follicular phase is the first half of the menstrual cycle, beginning on day 1 of menstruation and ending with ovulat...
G
- GLP-1 Receptor Agonists— GLP-1 receptor agonists are a class of medications including semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and liraglutide (Saxenda, Vic...
- Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT/OGTT)— The oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT or GTT) measures how efficiently your body processes sugar by testing blood glucos...
- Glycemic Index (GI)— The glycemic index is a numerical ranking system (0-100) that measures how quickly carbohydrate-containing foods raise b...
- Glycemic Load— Glycemic load is a more practical and nuanced measure than glycemic index alone because it accounts for both the quality...
- Gonadotropins— Gonadotropins are injectable fertility hormones containing FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and sometimes LH (luteiniz...
- Gut Microbiome— The gut microbiome refers to the trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms living in your digestive tract t...
H
- HOMA-IR— HOMA-IR (Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance) is a calculation that uses your fasting glucose and fastin...
- Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c)— Hemoglobin A1C is a blood test that reflects your average blood sugar levels over the previous 2-3 months by measuring t...
- Hirsutism— Hirsutism is the growth of excess coarse, dark hair in a male-pattern distribution—typically on the face, chin, chest, a...
- Hormonal Acne— Hormonal acne in PCOS is driven by elevated androgens that stimulate sebaceous (oil) glands to overproduce sebum while s...
- Hyperandrogenism— Hyperandrogenism, also called androgen excess, refers to abnormally elevated levels of male hormones (androgens) in wome...
- Hyperinsulinemia— Hyperinsulinemia is the condition of having persistently elevated insulin levels in the bloodstream, resulting from the...
I
- IUI (Intrauterine Insemination)— Intrauterine insemination (IUI) is a fertility treatment that places specially washed and concentrated sperm directly in...
- IVF (In Vitro Fertilization)— In vitro fertilization (IVF) is an assisted reproductive technology where eggs are retrieved directly from the ovaries a...
- Inflammation— Chronic low-grade inflammation is an intrinsic feature of PCOS, present even in lean women without obesity, characterize...
- Inflammatory PCOS— Inflammatory PCOS is driven by chronic, low-grade systemic inflammation that directly contributes to ovarian dysfunction...
- Inositol— Inositol is a vitamin-like compound that exists in two primary forms—myo-inositol and D-chiro-inositol—that play crucial...
- Insulin Resistance— Insulin resistance is a metabolic condition in which the body's cells—particularly in muscle, fat, and liver tissue—don'...
- Insulin-Resistant PCOS— Insulin-resistant PCOS is the most prevalent form of the condition, affecting approximately 70-85% of women with PCOS. I...
- Intermittent Fasting— Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that alternates between designated eating windows and fasting periods—common a...
L
- LH to FSH Ratio— The LH to FSH ratio compares the levels of luteinizing hormone to follicle-stimulating hormone in the blood, with an ele...
- Lean PCOS— Lean PCOS refers to women who meet the diagnostic criteria for PCOS but have a BMI in the normal range (under 25), repre...
- Letrozole— Letrozole is an aromatase inhibitor that has become the recommended first-line fertility medication for women with PCOS,...
- Low Glycemic Diet— A low glycemic diet prioritizes carbohydrate foods that score 55 or below on the glycemic index—such as whole grains, le...
- Luteal Phase— The luteal phase is the second half of the menstrual cycle, spanning from ovulation to the start of the next period (app...
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH)— Luteinizing hormone (LH) is a reproductive hormone produced by the pituitary gland that normally surges mid-cycle to tri...
M
- Macronutrients— Macronutrients are the three broad categories of nutrients your body needs in large quantities: carbohydrates (your body...
- Magnesium— Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, including insulin metabolism, bl...
- Mediterranean Diet— The Mediterranean diet is an eating pattern inspired by the traditional cuisines of countries bordering the Mediterranea...
- Metabolic Syndrome— Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of interconnected risk factors—including central obesity (waist circumference greater th...
- Metformin— Metformin is an insulin-sensitizing medication originally developed for type 2 diabetes that has become one of the most...
- Myo-Inositol— Myo-inositol is the most abundant and extensively researched form of inositol, making up approximately 95% of the inosit...
N
- NAC (N-Acetyl Cysteine)— NAC (N-acetyl cysteine) is a powerful antioxidant supplement derived from the amino acid cysteine that supports the body...
- Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)— Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the accumulation of excess fat in liver cells in people who drink little to...
O
- Oligomenorrhea— Oligomenorrhea is the medical term for infrequent or irregular menstrual cycles, defined as cycles longer than 35 days o...
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids— Omega-3 fatty acids are anti-inflammatory polyunsaturated fats found primarily in fatty fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel...
- Ovarian Cyst— An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops in or on an ovary, with most being benign functional cysts that form...
- Ovarian Drilling— Ovarian drilling, also called laparoscopic ovarian drilling (LOD), is a minimally invasive surgical procedure where smal...
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS)— Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) is a potentially serious complication of fertility treatments where the ovaries...
- Ovasitol— Ovasitol is a popular branded inositol supplement specifically formulated for PCOS, combining 2,000 mg of myo-inositol a...
- Ovulation Induction— Ovulation induction is a fertility treatment approach that uses medications to stimulate the ovaries to develop and rele...
- Oxidative Stress— Oxidative stress occurs when harmful free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulate faster than the body's a...
P
- PCOS Awareness Month— PCOS Awareness Month is a global health awareness campaign observed throughout September each year, led by PCOS Challeng...
- Polycystic Ovaries— Polycystic ovaries refer to ovaries that appear enlarged on ultrasound and contain an abnormally high number of small, i...
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)— Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common hormonal disorders affecting women of reproductive age, impac...
- Post-Pill PCOS— Post-pill PCOS refers to the emergence of PCOS-like symptoms—including irregular periods, acne, excess hair growth, and...
- Prediabetes— Prediabetes is a metabolic state where blood sugar levels are elevated above normal (fasting glucose 100-125 mg/dL or Hb...
- Progesterone— Progesterone is a female hormone produced by the corpus luteum (the empty follicle) after ovulation, responsible for pre...
- Prolactin— Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland that primarily stimulates breast milk production, but in elevated...
R
- Registered Dietitian (RD/RDN)— A Registered Dietitian (RD) or Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)—legally protected titles that are interchangeable...
- Reproductive Endocrinologist— A reproductive endocrinologist (RE) is a board-certified physician who has completed additional fellowship training in r...
- Rotterdam Criteria— The Rotterdam Criteria are the internationally accepted diagnostic standard for PCOS, established at a 2003 consensus wo...
S
- SHBG (Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin)— Sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) is a protein produced by the liver that binds to testosterone and estrogen in the bl...
- Saw Palmetto— Saw palmetto is a botanical supplement derived from the berries of the Serenoa repens palm that acts as a natural 5-alph...
- Seed Cycling— Seed cycling is a food-based practice that involves eating specific seeds during different phases of the menstrual cycle...
- Semaglutide— Semaglutide is a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication available as a weekly injection (branded as Ozempic for diabetes and...
- Sleep Apnea— Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a sleep disorder characterized by repeated episodes of partial or complete airway obstr...
- Spearmint Tea— Spearmint tea is a natural herbal beverage with clinically demonstrated anti-androgen properties that can help reduce el...
- Spironolactone— Spironolactone is an anti-androgen medication that blocks testosterone and other androgens from binding to receptors in...
- Statins— Statins are cholesterol-lowering medications (such as atorvastatin, simvastatin, and rosuvastatin) that are occasionally...
T
- TTC (Trying to Conceive)— TTC is an acronym for 'trying to conceive,' used widely in fertility and PCOS communities to describe individuals or cou...
- Testosterone— Testosterone is the primary and most potent androgen hormone, produced in small amounts by the ovaries and adrenal gland...
- Thiazolidinediones— Thiazolidinediones (TZDs), including pioglitazone and rosiglitazone, are a class of insulin-sensitizing medications that...
- Transvaginal Ultrasound— A transvaginal ultrasound is an imaging procedure where a small ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina to produce...
- Type 2 Diabetes— Type 2 diabetes is a chronic metabolic condition where the body can no longer maintain normal blood sugar levels despite...