Signs and symptoms of PCOS often develop around the time of the first menstrual period during puberty. Sometimes PCOS develops later, for example, in response to substantial weight gain. Signs and symptoms of PCOS vary. A diagnosis of PCOS is made when you experience...

Adrenal glands, located on top of the kidneys, produce various hormones. Adrenal insufficiency occurs when the adrenal glands do not produce sufficient amounts of steroid hormones — primarily cortisol, which regulates sodium conservation, potassium secretion, and...

Metabolism is the process your body uses to get or make energy from the food you eat. Chemicals in your digestive system break the food parts down into sugars and acids, your body's fuel. A metabolic disorder occurs when abnormal chemical reactions in your body...

In hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland is overactive. It produces too much of its hormone. Hyperthyroidism affects about 1% of women. It’s less common in men. Graves’ disease is the most common cause of hyperthyroidism, affecting about 70% of people with an overactive...

Hyperglycemia means high glucose in the blood. Your body needs glucose to properly function. Your cells rely on glucose for energy. Hyperglycemia is a defining characteristic of diabetes—when the blood glucose level is too high because the body isn't properly using or...

Hirsutism is a condition of unwanted, male-pattern hair growth in women. Hirsutism results in excessive amounts of dark, course hair on body areas where men typically grow hair — face, chest and back. Hirsutism is a medical condition that can arise from excess male...