What describes the impact of PCOS on hormone levels?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a condition that significantly affects hormone levels in the body. One of the hallmark characteristics of PCOS is an imbalance in reproductive hormones, particularly involving an increase in androgens, which are often referred to as male hormones, though they are present in both men and women. This hormonal imbalance can lead to excessive estrogen production, as the body may try to compensate for the disrupted hormonal environment.

In women with PCOS, the ovaries may produce higher levels of estrogen than normal due to the presence of multiple cysts, which can lead to health concerns such as irregular menstrual cycles, infertility, and an increased risk for endometrial cancer over time. Thus, the statement that PCOS causes excessive estrogen production aligns with the understanding of the syndrome's impact on hormone levels, highlighting the complex hormonal interplay that occurs in individuals with this condition.

The other options do not accurately represent the typical hormonal changes associated with PCOS: normal estrogen production levels, significant decreases in estrogen, or normal ovarian function do not appropriately characterize the end result of the hormonal dysregulation observed in PCOS.