system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5 The difference between polycystic ovaries, PCOS and cystic ovaries.
gpt
Having a cyst in/on your ovaries is not telling of it being a condition, pretty much any female can get them and likely will at one point or another in their life. Often they're totally benign and go unnoticed because they dont cause pain or they're so mild you just think its more intense monthly cramping.

Having polycystic ovaries means you had imaging done and you see multiple cysts on the ovaries in it. By this point you've likely had enough discomfort that this is a longer term problem but may only occur once because of a hormonal fluctuation or reoccur a couple times.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a diagnosis meaning you have at least two of the following factors that reoccur and need long term treatment:
1. You have had imaging done showing multiple cysts on the ovaries.
2. Increased androgen levels in your blood tests
3. Irregular unpredictable periods
4. Hormonal acne/growing facial hair

Polycystic ovaries are not a disease, you may have PCOS without polycystic ovaries because it is a condition of the metabolism effecting the ovarian function.