A woman can have polycystic ovaries at any age after reaching puberty. Some women only have PCOS signs and symptoms during the first few days of their periods. While others begin to show signs and symptoms in their 20s, 30s, or even later after reaching reproductive age.
The exact cause of PCOS is yet unknown. Because of this, it is referred to as "a syndrome" rather than a disease. When the cause of a health problem is known, it is referred to as a disease. However, a syndrome is a group of symptoms that describe a health problem whose underlying cause is not recognised.