olycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder common among women of reproductive age. Women with PCOS may have infrequent or prolonged menstrual periods or excess male hormone (androgen) levels. The ovaries may develop numerous small collections of fluid (follicles) and fail to regularly release eggs. (1) The three main features of PCOS are:

? Irregular Periods -which means your ovaries don't regularly release eggs (ovulation) ? Excess Androgen -high levels of "male hormones" in your body, which may cause physical signs such as excess facial or body hair (see signs and symptoms below) ? Polycystic Ovaries -your ovaries become enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs (follicles) which surround the eggs (it's important to note that, despite the name, if you have PCOS you don't actually have cysts). (2) In polycystic ovary syndrome, multiple cysts in each ovary can be seen with medical imaging. These Author ? ? ?: Banoon Center for Assisted Reproduction & Obstetrics & Gynecology Elsheikh Abdallah Elbadri University. e-mail: [email protected] cysts are small, immature ovarian follicles. Normally, ovarian follicles contain egg cells, which are released during ovulation. In polycystic ovary syndrome, abnormal hormone levels prevent follicles from growing and maturing to release egg cells. Instead, these immature follicles accumulate in the ovaries. Affected women can have 12 or more of these follicles. The number of these follicles usually decreases with age.

About half of all women with polycystic ovary syndrome are overweight or obese and are at increased risk of a fatty liver. Additionally, many women with polycystic ovary syndrome have elevated levels of insulin, which is a hormone that helps control blood sugar levels. By age 40, about 10 percent of overweight women with polycystic ovary syndrome develop abnormally high blood sugar levels (type 2 diabetes), and up to 35 percent develop prediabetes (higher-thannormal blood sugar levels that do not reach the cutoff for diabetes). Obesity and increased insulin levels (hyperinsulinemia) further increase the production of androgens in polycystic ovary syndrome.

About 20 percent of affected adults experience pauses in breathing during sleep (sleep apnea). Women with polycystic ovary syndrome are more likely to have mood disorders such as depression compared to the general population. (3) There is no cure, but diet, exercise, and medicines can help control the symptoms. Birth control pills help women have normal periods, reduce male hormone levels, and clear acne. Treatments for infertility caused by PCOS may include medicines, surgery, and IVF. (4) Many Sudanese ladies were suffering from polycystic ovaries syndrome which represent an important issue to the women health and to their fertility, which finally may affect the Sudanese community as whole.

A diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome can be made when at least two out of three of the following criteria are met: Other tests used in the evaluation of PCOS include the following:

The following imaging studies may be used in the evaluation of PCOS:

? Ovarian ultrasonography, preferably using transvaginal approach ? Pelvic CT scan or MRI to visualize the adrenals and ovaries. (6) Besides irregular menstrual cycles and ovulation, weight gain, and thinning hair, one of the most notable symptoms of PCOS is acne.

PCOS-related acne tends to flare in areas that are usually considered "hormonally sensitive," especially the lower third of the face. This includes your cheeks, jaw line, chin, and upper neck. (7) II.

In study done by Minerva Ginecol; showed that subsequent phases of acne were correlated with the clinical severity of polycystic ovaries and to the presence of Premenstrual Syndrome in 93% of the cases.

There is no published data about the polycystic related acne among Sudanese women with infertility disorders.

IV.

To know prevalence of polycystic related acne among selected group of Sudanese women with infertility disorder.

V.

All participants were informed about the purpose of the study and all of them were consent.

Result 36.2% of participants had polycystic related acne.

The prevalence of acne among the study group is a good sign for polycystic ovary syndrome which is one of most causes of female infertility IX.

More than one-third of the study group had polycystic ovaries related acne. Further studies must be done involving imaging and laboratory tests.