The polycystic ovarian syndrome is a disease which affects 4-7% of the world's women. Most people mistake the polycystic ovarian syndrome with the ovarian cysts but they are different affections. In the definition of the polycystic ovarian syndrome pain is not mentioned while in the case of ovarian cysts, pelvic pain is known to be mostly present.

The polycystic ovarian syndrome is an endocrine disorder which affects the patient by the presence of small immature follicles in the ovary. All these cysts have been accumulating over a certain period of time and they can be seen at the ultrasound exam as multiple cystic areas in the ovary.

The follicular ovarian disease can be classified in two: the polycystic ovarian syndrome which refers to small immature follicles situated in the ovary; the multi follicle ovaries which refers to larger follicles and is divided in three: the macro polycystic ovaries meaning that multiple larger cysts are situated in the ovary, the functional cyst which refers to one large cyst and the luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome which refers to the formation of the corpus luteum gland even though the egg did not ovulate.

In order to perform an accurate diagnosis the ultrasound exam along with an endocrinological examination must be done.

In most of the cases of ovarian cysts the localization of the cyst is in one ovary or another but rarely in both ovaries. This is why the pain is generally in the left or right lower abdominal area. If the pain is situated in both sides of the abdomen the doctor must test the patient for vascular congestion, endometriosis, irritable bowel or even lactose intolerance as there is a small possibility for the cysts to be affecting both ovaries. In case of a polycystic ovary syndrome, at the ultrasound exam pelvic congestion will be seen.

In most of the cases of non-polycystic ovary syndrome the problem resolves after two or three months of waiting. Sometimes birth control pills help.

In case of a polycystic ovary syndrome the birth control pills are not useful. Injectable progestins are good for preventing ovarian cysts and can decrease the cyst formation. They can not suppress any currently existing cysts. They can not suppress totally the follicle but they can be very effective on follicles in the range of 3.0 cm.

In the worse cases when the hormonal treatment does not help surgery is needed to resolve the problem. Laparoscopic surgery is mostly used as it does not give so many lesions and the patient recovers faster after this intervention than after the classical surgery.