Overview of PCOS in Unani System of Medicnine

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disorder characterized by chronic anovulation and androgen excess with clinical manifestation of irregular menstrual cycles, Infertility, hirsutism, acne, obesity and Insulin Resistance35, 36, 37, 38. It was first described by Stein and Leventhal in 193538. The syndrome has a prevalence of 5 to 10 percent with variance among races and ethnicities36. Approximately, 50% of patients are hirsute and 30 to 75% are obese36. Polycystic Ovaries have been called Oyster Ovaries because they are enlarged and sclerocytic with smooth pearl white surfaces without indentation. Many small fluid filled follicle cysts lie beneath the thickened fibrous surface cortex36. According to Unani concept, PCOS have been mentioned under the heading of Amenorrhoea and it is mainly caused by alteration in the quality and quantity of phlem due to Sue Mizaaj –e- Barid and it becomes viscid and thick which leads to cyst formation in the ovaries, Anovulation, Amenorrhoea, Infertility, Hirsutism and Obesity2, 4, 5, 11, 14, 16, 22