People with PCOS may experience irregular menstrual periods, heavy periods, excess hair, acne, pelvic pain, difficulty getting pregnant, and patches of thick, darker, velvety skin (3) The primary characteristics of this syndrome include: hyperandrogenism, anovulation, insulin resistance, and neuroendocrine disruption Expression of miR-16 expression has been shown to be decreased in ovarian cortex tissues and serums of PCOS patients, parallel with up-regulation of PDCD4. The gene discussed is PDCD4; the disease is polycystic ovary syndrome.