Kate Silverton discusses losing an ovary at 29

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The second feature of PCOS is excess androgen.

This is a “male hormone” and in high levels can cause physical signs such as excess body hair; you may also find yourself growing more hair on your face.

The third feature of PCOS is polycystic ovaries.

The NHS explains: “Your ovaries become enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs (follicles) that surround the eggs (but despite the name, you do not actually have cysts if you have PCOS).”

More than half of these women do not have any symptoms.

Apart from excessive hair growth on the face, chest, back and buttocks, other symptoms include irregular periods or no periods at all.

Furthermore, other signs of PCOS include having difficulty getting pregnant; this will be due to irregular ovulation or a failure to ovulate.

Women with PCOS may also experience weight gain and thinning hair.

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Skin conditions such as oily skin and acne may also be a sign of PCOS.

These signs and symptoms will usually appear in your late teens or your early-20s.

The cause of PCOS is unknown, however it is often passed down through the family.

PCOS is related to abnormal hormone levels in the body.

Unfortunately, there is no cure for PCOS.

However, whilst the disease is incurable, the symptoms can be treated.

Losing weight and improving your diet are just two of the treatments suggested.

Furthermore, you can take medicines to treat the hair growth, fertility problems and irregular periods.

If those fertility medicines don’t work, then a surgical procedure known as laparoscopic ovarian drilling may be employed.

The simple procedure involves using a laser.

This laser uses its heat to destroy the tissue in the ovaries producing male hormones such as testosterone.

Should these treatments be effective you can still, should you desire, become pregnant.

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