What is the difference between polycystic ovary and ovarian cyst? Are they the same?

Although ovarian cysts are not common, they are difficult to treat because of their special location. If you are a little careless, your future fertility plans may be affected. So, what is the difference between polycystic ovaries and ovarian cysts? Are they the same?

Polycystic ovary syndrome is an endocrine disease in which the ovaries are enlarged and contain many small cysts filled with fluid, and the androgen level is increased and ovulation cannot occur. The most notable feature is anovulation. It is abbreviated as PCOS. The cause of PCOS is still unclear. It is generally believed to be related to dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis, adrenal dysfunction, genetics, metabolism and other factors. A small number of PCOS patients have abnormal sex chromosomes or autosomes, and some have a family history. Recently, it has been found that certain genes such as CYP11A and VNTR of the insulin gene are related to the occurrence of PCOS, further confirming the role of genetic factors in the onset of PCOS.

Polycystic ovary is caused by dysfunction of the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis, which destroys the mutual dependence and regulation, so the ovaries cannot ovulate for a long time. Ovarian cyst refers to the appearance of cystic masses in the ovaries, and the cause of the disease is not very clear. Ovarian cyst is a type of ovarian tumor, which can be benign or malignant. Therefore, after discovering ovarian cysts, it is necessary to first confirm whether it is benign or malignant, and further examination and targeted treatment are recommended.