Did you know that as many as one in five women has polycystic ovaries, and between five to ten per cent have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) which occurs when women who have polycystic ovaries also have additional symptoms – including difficult conceiving. It is one of the main causes of fertility problems for women, but many people are unaware of the syndrome unless they have some personal experience of PCOS.

The symptoms can include irregular periods and ovulation, unwanted facial or body hair, oily skin, acne, thinning hair or hair loss and weight problems which may mean being overweight and having difficulty losing weight. It can also cause depression and mood changes. If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS and want more information, the charity Verity can offer lots of support and advice – check them out at www.verity-pcos.org.uk