Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (P in Spanish

What it means

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that affects the ovaries as well as many other parts of the body. People with PCOS usually have at least two of three problems: not ovulating (so periods may be irregular or absent), high levels of hormones called androgens, and growths in one or both ovaries that may appear as cysts, which are small fluid-filled sacs. Symptoms can include irregular or missed periods, extra hair on the face or body (hirsutism), severe acne, weight gain, and infertility, although some women have few or no symptoms. The exact cause is unknown and there is no specific test for PCOS; a provider may use a physical exam, medical and family history, a pelvic exam, a pelvic ultrasound, and blood tests.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) in Spanish

Spanish term: Síndrome de ovario poliquístico (SOP)
Gender and article: masculine: el síndrome de ovario poliquístico (abbreviation also masculine: el SOP)
Pronunciation: SEEN-droh-meh deh oh-VAH-ryoh poh-lee-KEES-tee-koh

Other Spanish terms	Where it is used	Note
síndrome del ovario poliquístico	General	Same name with the contraction "del"; listed as an alternative name in the MedlinePlus Spanish medical encyclopedia.
ovarios poliquísticos	General	Shorter form, listed as an alternative name in the MedlinePlus Spanish medical encyclopedia.
síndrome ovárico metabólico poliendocrino (SOMP)	General	Newer name that MedlinePlus en español gives alongside SOP; the English counterpart is polyendocrine metabolic ovary syndrome (PMOS).
síndrome de Stein-Leventhal	General	Eponym listed as an alternative name; MedlinePlus in English also lists Stein-Leventhal Syndrome.

In Spanish the word síndrome is masculine, so the article is el: el síndrome de ovario poliquístico, el SOP. The abbreviations differ by language: MedlinePlus in English writes PCOS, while MedlinePlus en español writes SOP, as in "El SOP afecta a los ovarios". The two abbreviations stand for the same condition, so a form that says PCOS and a Spanish handout that says SOP are describing the same thing.

A second pair of abbreviations is now in use. MedlinePlus says PCOS is also known as polyendocrine metabolic ovary syndrome (PMOS) — its medical encyclopedia writes polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome — and its Spanish pages give síndrome ovárico metabólico poliendocrino (SOMP). The MedlinePlus Spanish medical encyclopedia explains that the name was changed because the condition affects many body systems, not only the ovaries.

Phrases for an appointment

What a patient or a clinician might say, in English and Spanish:

Who	English	Spanish
Patient	My periods are very irregular, and sometimes I go months without one.	Mis periodos son muy irregulares y a veces paso meses sin tener uno.
Clinician	Have you noticed more hair on your face, chest, or stomach, or acne that is hard to treat?	¿Ha notado más vello en la cara, el pecho o el abdomen, o acné difícil de tratar?
Patient	Yes, and I have gained weight even though I have not changed how I eat.	Sí, y he subido de peso aunque no he cambiado mi forma de comer.
Clinician	Does your mother or a sister have polycystic ovary syndrome?	¿Su mamá o alguna hermana tiene síndrome de ovario poliquístico?
Clinician	I would like to order blood tests to check your hormone levels and a pelvic ultrasound.	Quisiera pedirle análisis de sangre para revisar sus niveles hormonales y una ecografía pélvica.
Patient	My chart says PCOS. Is that the same thing as SOP?	En mi expediente dice PCOS. ¿Es lo mismo que el SOP?
Patient	We are trying to have a baby. Who can I talk to about that?	Estamos tratando de tener un bebé. ¿Con quién puedo hablar sobre eso?
Clinician	Do you have any questions before we schedule your follow-up visit?	¿Tiene alguna pregunta antes de programar su cita de seguimiento?

In 9 languages

Language	Term
English	Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Spanish (Español)	Síndrome de ovario poliquístico (SOP)
Chinese (中文)	多囊性卵巢症候群
Korean (한국어)	다낭성 난소 증후군
Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt)	Hội chứng buồng trứng đa nang
Filipino (Tagalog)	Polycystic ovary syndrome
Portuguese (Português)	Síndrome dos ovários policísticos (SOP)
Thai (ภาษาไทย)	กลุ่มอาการถุงน้ำรังไข่หลายใบ
Japanese (日本語)	多嚢胞性卵巣症候群

Where you'll see it

chartreferralmedical record

Related ICD-10-CM category

ICD-10-CM code: E28 → Ovarian dysfunction

Related terms

Your right to an interpreter in the United States

If English is not your primary language and you have difficulty communicating in English, you may need an interpreter or a translated document when you visit a doctor or dentist, go to the emergency room or pick up a prescription. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights states that two federal laws, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act, require programs that receive its funding to provide language access services free of charge.

You can ask when you make the appointment or at the front desk: "I need an interpreter, please." «Necesito un intérprete, por favor.»

More terms: Reproductive health and pregnancy

All terms in this area: Reproductive health and pregnancy — Salud reproductiva y embarazo

Sources

This page is a language reference. It is not medical advice.